Alcohol consumption

[lars573]

I'm not a drinker. I don't like the taste of alcohol. But I also don't believe in stepping on anyones right to kill their liver/brain with it. My brother is a drinker though. But he's been unable to stand on 2 occasions. That's his line.

[naut]

our Prime Minister recently declared binge drinking to be 4 middies (40 fl. oz / 1.1 litres)

Haha, what a laugh. Four beers is a light session, like pizza with mates or kicking a footie down at the beach.

If I'm out drinking casually I'll usually drink anywhere between 6-8 beers/rum and cokes/vodka shots/anythingthatainttequila . More than that (12-13) to get plastered, but hey who wants to not remember the evening anyway?

Most of my mates handle booze well, so it's pretty steady drinking round here. Yeah, I know a few jerks who drink way to much, deliberately so, and a few mean drunks too. But those are people I tend to avoid.

What I never understood is women who go over the top? I know a couple girls who drink to not remember anything. For guys I guess it's kind of a macho thing. But girls?

[Yoyoma1910]

What I never understood is women who go over the top? I know a couple girls who drink to not remember anything. For guys I guess it's kind of a macho thing. But girls?

What women can't be macho now?

[Ice]

Alcohol is an awful DANGEROUS, but tons of fun at the same time. If you have will power, like most other things, you should be fine.

I probably drink less than 80% of the other kids on campus. Once in a while (maybe 2-3 times a semester) I'll get really drunk and feel like crap the entire next day. That will remind me why I don't drink much.

Don't get me wrong, I usually drink on the weekend, but I don't overdo it anymore. I'll have a few beers, get a buzz, socialize, play some pong, and then then just chill.

[Rhyfelwyr]

I am the only student in the world that is for prohibition.

I've only drank once in my life, had 4 or 5 Stella Artois (the only beer I've tasted), plus some punch, wine etc because it was a school thing but I was at a friends house before. Anyway I didn't get drunk so I suppose that wasn't a very interesting story.

[Strike For The South]

I am the only student in the world that is for prohibition.

I've only drank once in my life, had 4 or 5 Stella Artois (the only beer I've tasted), plus some punch, wine etc because it was a school thing but I was at a friends house before. Anyway I didn't get drunk so I suppose that wasn't a very interesting story.

At the risk of hijacking...why?

[Rhyfelwyr]

At the risk of hijacking...why?

Well if not practically at least ideologically. Because alcohol is a problem for all of society, people in the UK now in most cases drink specifically to get completely drunk. Then they start harming people and themselves and causing a big headache to the health services and anyone else who comes across their path. Plus it completely wrecks entire lives for serious alcholics, they might choose to drink at first but they quickly become its slave.

To put it bluntly, alcohol is EVIL. It goes unchallenged because it is not dangerous in moderation, its problems just grow unnoticed like a cancer, but it can't be challenged because then moderate drinkers say they are having their freedom removed.

Get the problem at the source. People need to learn to have fun without being mildly intoxicated, it just needs to be removed from the culture.

[Ronin]

Well if not practically at least ideologically. Because alcohol is a problem for all of society, people in the UK now in most cases drink specifically to get completely drunk. Then they start harming people and themselves and causing a big headache to the health services and anyone else who comes across their path. Plus it completely wrecks entire lives for serious alcholics, they might choose to drink at first but they quickly become its slave.

To put it bluntly, alcohol is EVIL. It goes unchallenged because it is not dangerous in moderation, its problems just grow unnoticed like a cancer, but it can't be challenged because then moderate drinkers say they are having their freedom removed.

Get the problem at the source. People need to learn to have fun without being mildly intoxicated, it just needs to be removed from the culture.

I think history has shown to us that you cannot legislate against the search of pleasure by the masses...be it booze, drugs, sex, whatever.....the people won´t stand for it...you just have to look at the other countries that tried to put such laws into practice...it doesn´t work.

anyway...back to the topic.

[Dutch_guy]

Mostly confine myself to beer, as it's what I like best. Not much of a wine drinker, and haven't acquired a taste for the more subtle hard liquor drinks (think whiskey) yet. And hard liquor has the added factor of being more expensive than plain beer, which as a student is reason enough to drink it only occasionally.

[yesdachi]

I am the only student in the world that is for prohibition.

I've only drank once in my life, had 4 or 5 Stella Artois (the only beer I've tasted), plus some punch, wine etc because it was a school thing but I was at a friends house before. Anyway I didn't get drunk so I suppose that wasn't a very interesting story.

So you admittedly don’t know much about it but you want to ban it? I think maybe your observations are a little shallow and that most people in the UK or anywhere are not drinking specifically to get completely drunk, nor are they harming people or causing a big headache in the health care system. Everyone has an opinion and you are welcome to yours but I would get out and experience a little life before condemning all the responsible drinkers because of some fools you have encountered that can’t handle themselves.

Drinking is no more EVIL than a bullet, both can be deadly if used irresponsibly but neither is inherently EVIL.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Well if not practically at least ideologically. Because alcohol is a problem for all of society, people in the UK now in most cases drink specifically to get completely drunk. Then they start harming people and themselves and causing a big headache to the health services and anyone else who comes across their path. Plus it completely wrecks entire lives for serious alcholics, they might choose to drink at first but they quickly become its slave.

To put it bluntly, alcohol is EVIL. It goes unchallenged because it is not dangerous in moderation, its problems just grow unnoticed like a cancer, but it can't be challenged because then moderate drinkers say they are having their freedom removed.

Get the problem at the source. People need to learn to have fun without being mildly intoxicated, it just needs to be removed from the culture.

No.

Alcohol is not evil. It is a molecular compound.

Even if it is widely abused, that does not make alcohol evil.

It is that vilification of a mere substance that avoids the real issue; personal responsibility.

Until you have people take responsibility for their actions, and realize that it is their reckless actions, their decisions to abuse alcohol, that lead to the problems, you won't solve any of the issues you are worried about.

And to the OP - I see nothing wrong with imbibing a bit. I don't drink often myself, only really once, maybe twice, a week. But I wasn't raised in the prohibition/anti-alcohol tradition.

CR

[Rhyfelwyr]

I know the situation is particularly dire in the UK and indeed Scotland, but from what I see people either relentlessly binge drink, or practically don't drink at all. Probably the situation here is similar to that described by ShadesPanther, drinkers consume a ridiculous amount but those who don't binge avoid it completely.

Anyway, why do I have to have been drunk to see the problems binge drinking causes?

Unfortunately, so long as we live in a society then individuals personal irresponsibility will often affect others. If a shop owner has his windows tanned in, is he personally responsible? Or the guy who gets battered by a gang of neds on buckie? Or the guy who died of a heart attack while the ambulances were busy in the town centre?

How appropriate, I can hear some drunken neds passing by my house as I type this. Admittedly it is a Friday night, but even still these idiots are making the place dangerous for everyone.

Gah it used to be our labour parties has a strong policy of temperence before Irish immigration meant that policy didn't win so many votes. Why must the socialist parties today go down the route of appeasing modern liberal values? I suppose they are pandering to the idiot students who go on marches for workers rights and anti-nuclear weapon rallies carrying USSR flags. On the one hand its funny, but on the other its a bit disheartening.

OK I went completely off topic there but...

[Kralizec]

I usually tell friends when I think they're drinking to fast, but I don't slap them around the head with it. They do the same with me, though these days I drink more moderately when going out so it doesn't happen a lot.

On "normal evenings" I often have a beer or two; sometimes I induldge myself with more or heavier stuff and I usually go without the next day - not because it results in hangovers, but because I don't want to develop a pattern of regulary being inebriated.

I´m straight edge personally so I don´t touch any alcohol or other drugs...but I don´t any problem with people who do...as long as they are responsible about it.....

Most of my friends drink, but I don´t know anyone who is a "mean drunk"....most of them get silly and happy....I guess if it was otherwise they wouldn´t be my friends.

drugs and alcohol are never an excuse for acting like an asshole.

So Amsterdam only appeals to you because of the prostitutes?

[yesdachi]

Anyway, why do I have to have been drunk to see the problems binge drinking causes?

You don’t have to be drunk to see that binge drinking can cause problems but you have to open your eyes to see that not everyone that drinks, binges and that supporting prohibition is a band-aid that will chaff the responsible drinkers and only transfer irresponsible people’s vices. If you don’t like binge drinkers then support a help group but don’t support legislating away freedoms.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

As a side note - our Prime Minister recently declared binge drinking to be 4 middies (40 fl. oz / 1.1 litres), which is a ridiculous notion in a country with a strong drinking culture such as ours. So there's an official perspective for you (Though the PM was largely ridiculed for this statement).

Your Prime Minister needs to be shown what a Maß is.

[Rhyfelwyr]

If you don’t like binge drinkers then support a help group but don’t support legislating away freedoms.

Well we're not free to take other harmful substances. Alcohol is only seen as a freedom because people are used to having it, if it hadn't been for its historical acceptance we would still be talking about legalising it today, just like with marijuana and the real serious drugs.

[yesdachi]

Well we're not free to take other harmful substances. Alcohol is only seen as a freedom because people are used to having it, if it hadn't been for its historical acceptance we would still be talking about legalising it today, just like with marijuana and the real serious drugs.

A cheeseburger is just as harmful a substance as alcohol but you are ok with fat and unhealthy people walking around?

Historical acceptance is a big part of why it is legal but so is the fact that not everyone that uses it is transformed into a binge drinking monster that wrecks lives and the health system. It comes down to personal responsibility and the government can not force us to be responsible by taking away all the potential vices like a parent protects a child from sharp objects.

Well my day is over; I am going to get a drink. Any brain cells that are killed in the process I consider simple and deserving of the culling. The strong will survive to make me smarter. Enjoy your weekend

[Sigurd]

Total abstinence... Not saying this has always been so.

[HoreTore]

When I drink at parties, I drink in order to get completely drunk. There's no alternative to that. Usually takes about 5 litres(a sixpack at the pre-party, then around 5 pints at the pub) of beer coupled with 1/5-1/4 bottle of scotch. I do swap the beer for red wine from time to time though, and then it's 2 bottles of that. Basically the beer is the filler, I feel so alone without my good pal Mr. Alcohol in my hand The scotch is what makes my vision blur...
"Casual drinking", or whatever you may call it, at parties is an alien concept to me; if I'm not drinking to get shit drunk, I see no point in drinking at all. I'm a very, very happy drunk, by the way

As for drinking at other times, well... Not so much. There's the occasional beer when there's a football game on, as well as a bottle of wine when I'm trying to get lucky.

As for record drinking, well... I've been "russ"(norwegian graduation period), where I consumed 12 bottles of Jack Daniels in roughly 3 weeks, in addition to a lot of beer...

Oh, and as for starting age, I was drunk for the first time at 16. Roughly the average age here, I believe.

[Rhyfelwyr]

A cheeseburger is just as harmful a substance as alcohol but you are ok with fat and unhealthy people walking around?

Historical acceptance is a big part of why it is legal but so is the fact that not everyone that uses it is transformed into a binge drinking monster that wrecks lives and the health system. It comes down to personal responsibility and the government can not force us to be responsible by taking away all the potential vices like a parent protects a child from sharp objects.

Well fat people don't tear the town apart and attack people because they are fat. As I said earlier when people are irresponsible often innocent people pay for their stupidity. Don't waste time and money hoping the police will be able to protect them, cut the problem at the source.

The purpose of alcohol is to intoxicate, just in varying degrees. This is not the case with other issues that can lead to harm such as owning knives (for cooking purposes), driving cars etc.

We have a binge drinking culture, you either drink or you don't, there's not much of a middle-ground. No alcohol, no problem, its that simple.

EDIT: See above post.

[PanzerJaeger]

I do not drink, which makes college somewhat less enjoyable I'm sure.

[Ronin]

So Amsterdam only appeals to you because of the prostitutes?

we all have some vices

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I'll only drink in social settings. By myself and it just as absolutely no appeal. I may have gotten drunk enough to be extremely stupid, but I would never become a jackass or anything. I just laugh a ton, but if I'm that bad it's with a ton of other people who are that bad.

The drinking age should be 18 AT LEAST here. I agree with the European approach. Allow kids to drink sooner and make it a hell of a lot harder to get a license and drive. Then again Europe is mein himmel so...

[CountArach]

CountArach - the PM's a complete nonce. Binge drinking is when the whites of your eyes are red, you can't speak straight or stand straight, you're no longer yourself. You are no longer human. This can't be measured by how much a person drinks as it differs from person to person. And i should know, my many night shifts have exposed me to these kinds of people.

Don't get me wrong - Rudd was 100% wrong when he said it. I'm just pointing out what the official story is.

[Ice]

im pretty drunk. I'd thought id post here and the drunkards thread. I guess my earlier thread doesnt apply or this one of the 2 to 3 a semster. Doubtful. now its time for my other favorite "substamnce"

[JR-]

i have a beer every day, even if i rarely go out to drink a lot.

my bro, who spends a lot of time with young florida types say that people rarely drink, but if you go to a game then the idea is to get wrecked.

[yesdachi]

Well fat people don't tear the town apart and attack people because they are fat. As I said earlier when people are irresponsible often innocent people pay for their stupidity. Don't waste time and money hoping the police will be able to protect them, cut the problem at the source.

The purpose of alcohol is to intoxicate, just in varying degrees. This is not the case with other issues that can lead to harm such as owning knives (for cooking purposes), driving cars etc.

We have a binge drinking culture, you either drink or you don't, there's not much of a middle-ground. No alcohol, no problem, its that simple.

EDIT: See above post.

So, after a brief stroll thru Google I have found that over 60% of Americans drink and that over 50 (all binge drinkers according to you ) of the 60 million people in the UK drink. You would rather make all those people criminals than encourage a social program that condemns binging and supports personal responsibility?

Without alcohol do you think the binge drinkers would just convert to a life of mediocrity, quietly cuddling up with a romance novel on a Friday night? I think not, they want action, excitement, fun, they are going to tray and replace one vice with another, perhaps one even more dangerous or even illegal, oh but wait, you can solve that too by taking away whatever new vice they choose and the next one or maybe you can just take away their freewill, anything to stop the drunken Ned’s from walking by your house on a Friday night, while you sit in front of your computer chatting on a gamming website.

If you only had the power to remove freewill.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Hmm well why would I go outside when I've got RTW?!

Free will needs to be balanced with public safety. If we could only harm ourselves, then I would say anyone can do anything they like. But that is not the reality, people die for these people's 'excitement'.

If you remove all government control, then people start abusing their rights to take away others' rights. It's about balance. And any policeman in pretty much any town centre on a Friday/Saturday night will tell you that that balance has not been struck.

[Ronin]

Hmm well why would I go outside when I've got RTW?!

Free will needs to be balanced with public safety. If we could only harm ourselves, then I would say anyone can do anything they like. But that is not the reality, people die for these people's 'excitement'.

If you remove all government control, then people start abusing their rights to take away others' rights. It's about balance. And any policeman in pretty much any town centre on a Friday/Saturday night will tell you that that balance has not been struck.

the average civilian living in chicago during the 1930's would tell you that there wasn´t much balance to be found there either....

proibition like laws about this kind of thing do not work.....this is not an opinion....it´s an historical fact.

[Strike For The South]

Does anyone else want to start a microbrewery? I want to really bad. After I hit the lotto I'll do it