Lies & Ideas
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Lies & Ideas
Ever wonder when the drinking of a toxic liquid
came to be considered acceptable behavior?
I'm thinking the liquor industry used the media
to sell this destructive hog wash of an idea.
It was never thought of as social or normal
when I was growing up. I did not know anyone who drank.
The movies in the 40's made drinking seem
glamorous to me. Same with sex and cigarettes.
I jumped willingly into all 3
I sure did not know anything of addictions or recovery.
Many years later....I came to know both.
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype
that "normal" people drink. ...
It's my observation and experience that is a lie.
I see misinformation stated as facts.
Ideas and concepts often misquoted
to push an agenda or their choice of recovery.
It's my observation and experience that
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
came to be considered acceptable behavior?
I'm thinking the liquor industry used the media
to sell this destructive hog wash of an idea.
It was never thought of as social or normal
when I was growing up. I did not know anyone who drank.
The movies in the 40's made drinking seem
glamorous to me. Same with sex and cigarettes.
I jumped willingly into all 3
I sure did not know anything of addictions or recovery.
Many years later....I came to know both.
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype
that "normal" people drink. ...
It's my observation and experience that is a lie.
I see misinformation stated as facts.
Ideas and concepts often misquoted
to push an agenda or their choice of recovery.
It's my observation and experience that
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,889
Originally Posted by CarolD
It's my observation and experience that
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
that take on the task of becoming a wholesome person.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 2,405
I watched a documentary on the History channel last night "the true life of charlie wilson" there was a movie "Charlie Wilson's WAr" this guy engineered the fight that saved Afghanistan from the Russians in the 80s (then of course Afghanistan harbored terrorist and 9/11 course that was only mentioned in last 2 minutes of 2 hour documentary...). Ok so Wilson was a man who "loved whiskey and women", he had several DUIs back in the 40s-50s (wasn't such a big deal then?) and in the 80s he was involved in a hit and run (while drunk of course, stated he had 10! martinis before hand). Wilson was a US congressman from like 1973-1997! I got angry watching this film! Wilson was in the documentary and provided a lot of commentary. His nickname was "good time charlie". This documentary glamorized his life of whiskey and women...portrayed him as such a hero/wonderful guy. Made me sick! This man should have been jailed for a LONG time.
9/15/08
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 257
@ Carol
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype that "normal" people drink
I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean that alcoholics rationalize drinking because the media makes it appealing? If so, I def agree.
@ jam
Yes, movies like that are repulsive. Movies and ads that glamorize alcohol or somehow show drinking being associated with something grand and important tend to disgust me.
'The Hangover'...ugh.
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype that "normal" people drink
I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean that alcoholics rationalize drinking because the media makes it appealing? If so, I def agree.
@ jam
Yes, movies like that are repulsive. Movies and ads that glamorize alcohol or somehow show drinking being associated with something grand and important tend to disgust me.
'The Hangover'...ugh.
Heathen
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: La La Land, USA
Posts: 2,567
Totally agree. It was interesting after I quit drinking, and threw out my drinking buddies from my life to only find that "most" people DONT drink.. After being surrounded by my bar buddies and drinking friends, I only assumed that I was one of majority. Ha! Now that my lifestyle and friends have changed, I definitely notice not many people drink, and usually NEVER to excess. Most people that I know that do drink, don't even finish the glass of wine they order with dinner. It's not the norm, not by a long shot.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Yea, like a couple weeks ago, I drove by a movie theater on a Friday night around 10 pm. The place was packed, huge parking lot, much larger than little bar parking lots. There's a couple night clubs in my area with large parking lots, but they're far outnumbered by movie theaters.
Anyway, undoubtedly hollywood has some influence. But then you get into the whole does art imitate life, or life imitate art type discussion.
I do agree though, there are many ways to skin a cat.
Anyway, undoubtedly hollywood has some influence. But then you get into the whole does art imitate life, or life imitate art type discussion.
I do agree though, there are many ways to skin a cat.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Yes....I do think some continue to drink beccause they
literally see and read that iss the cool thing to do.
Take a look around SR. Many members are saying
how they yearn to be a normal person.
Soooo...drinking alcohol is normal?
The advertizers job is to tempt us into buying alcohol.
They are paid by companies promoting the lie that
you will be a social outcast if you abstain.
If everyone you know is a drinker....
sobriety gives you the chance to find different companions.
That was certainly true for me....
Action and change....that's what my recovery required.
literally see and read that iss the cool thing to do.
Take a look around SR. Many members are saying
how they yearn to be a normal person.
Soooo...drinking alcohol is normal?
The advertizers job is to tempt us into buying alcohol.
They are paid by companies promoting the lie that
you will be a social outcast if you abstain.
If everyone you know is a drinker....
sobriety gives you the chance to find different companions.
That was certainly true for me....
Action and change....that's what my recovery required.
Last edited by CarolD; 09-04-2009 at 10:48 AM.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 17
Interesting subject.
I very rarely drank until I was in my early 30s after a divorce. Never paid much attention to others who would drink - I was always the designated driver when going out. An occasional half glass of wine would put me out!
I turned to alcohol to help with anxiety and depression. A bottle of Crown could last (maybe) two days if I was lucky. Yep, I am an alcoholic who has learned to handle my shortcomings in healthier ways (thank the HP!).
Now I do notice how in movies, media, and books that I read how alcohol is used as an anesthetic to a story's characters. Most of my friends and family do not drink, and when they do it's not much. I know that I can never touch it again. Don't want to, don't need to.
I very rarely drank until I was in my early 30s after a divorce. Never paid much attention to others who would drink - I was always the designated driver when going out. An occasional half glass of wine would put me out!
I turned to alcohol to help with anxiety and depression. A bottle of Crown could last (maybe) two days if I was lucky. Yep, I am an alcoholic who has learned to handle my shortcomings in healthier ways (thank the HP!).
Now I do notice how in movies, media, and books that I read how alcohol is used as an anesthetic to a story's characters. Most of my friends and family do not drink, and when they do it's not much. I know that I can never touch it again. Don't want to, don't need to.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: KC MO
Posts: 980
Advertising.
Yea the first couple months I about gave in because if schlitz(yuck) commercials I heard on the radio about quitting time. Also signs along the highway tempted me. They don't bother me now.
But the fact is we have had alcoholics since before Christ.
I believe our problem is kind of like riding a sled down a steep hill. It's a lot of fun to ride the sled as long as you stop before it goes too fast. But the fun of it is pushing to see how fast you can go. Then all of a sudden you find your going to fast to get off (or stop). Then you are dodging obstacles till the inevitable happens. (a crash). Politicians and everyone else in society enjoys the game. Some of us like myself just push it too far.
Fred
Yea the first couple months I about gave in because if schlitz(yuck) commercials I heard on the radio about quitting time. Also signs along the highway tempted me. They don't bother me now.
But the fact is we have had alcoholics since before Christ.
I believe our problem is kind of like riding a sled down a steep hill. It's a lot of fun to ride the sled as long as you stop before it goes too fast. But the fun of it is pushing to see how fast you can go. Then all of a sudden you find your going to fast to get off (or stop). Then you are dodging obstacles till the inevitable happens. (a crash). Politicians and everyone else in society enjoys the game. Some of us like myself just push it too far.
Fred
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 146
It really depends on the movie in question too. Like I saw a movie a few nights ago in which there were some golfers drinking in their country club bar. To me, the scene didn't so much glorify alcohol, or praise it, but was more a reflection of reality. Some might say, well the reality of drinking is grim and those people drinking probably had hangovers the next day or worse. But then, of course, if the movie were to have gone into that, it would have deviated too far from the plot and premise of the movie. Just depends really.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Baghdad
Posts: 2,822
Originally Posted by smacked 
Totally agree. It was interesting after I quit drinking, and threw out my drinking buddies from my life to only find that "most" people DONT drink.. After being surrounded by my bar buddies and drinking friends, I only assumed that I was one of majority. Ha! Now that my lifestyle and friends have changed, I definitely notice not many people drink, and usually NEVER to excess. Most people that I know that do drink, don't even finish the glass of wine they order with dinner. It's not the norm, not by a long shot.
FASTSTATS - Alcohol Use
'Most' people do drink. You were one of the majority when you were drinking, but not an overwhelming majority by any measure. Another way of looking at it, there are quite a few people out there that don't drink at all, and the overwhelming majority that do drink don't drink to excess.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by CarolD
Ever wonder when the drinking of a toxic liquid
came to be considered acceptable behavior?
I'm thinking the liquor industry used the media
to sell this destructive hog wash of an idea.
It was never thought of as social or normal
when I was growing up. I did not know anyone who drank.
The movies in the 40's made drinking seem
glamorous to me. Same with sex and cigarettes.
I jumped willingly into all 3
I sure did not know anything of addictions or recovery.
Many years later....I came to know both.
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype
that "normal" people drink. ...
It's my observation and experience that is a lie.
I see misinformation stated as facts.
Ideas and concepts often misquoted
to push an agenda or their choice of recovery.
It's my observation and experience that
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
came to be considered acceptable behavior?
I'm thinking the liquor industry used the media
to sell this destructive hog wash of an idea.
It was never thought of as social or normal
when I was growing up. I did not know anyone who drank.
The movies in the 40's made drinking seem
glamorous to me. Same with sex and cigarettes.
I jumped willingly into all 3
I sure did not know anything of addictions or recovery.
Many years later....I came to know both.
What I personally find so darn disturbing is how many
alcoholics apparently are agreeing to the hype
that "normal" people drink. ...
It's my observation and experience that is a lie.
I see misinformation stated as facts.
Ideas and concepts often misquoted
to push an agenda or their choice of recovery.
It's my observation and experience that
there is no wrong way to recover
Strive to be the very best person you can be
Be productive ...healthy...joy filled.
Please don't settle for anything less in your life.
We can and do recover.....
Day and a half sober here, by the way.
Respectfully, this toxic liquid has been consumed since the beginning of mankind. The idea of the village drunk goes back a ways. I suspect its a human condition to want to alter their own brain chemistry and "get high", no matter what the time period.
"normal" people drink and "people" drink normally. Now thats an idea I cant get my head around. Ive always asked that question. Who is "normal"? I think all of us are not normal is some way. Good post.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sobersville
Posts: 28
the overwhelming majority that do drink don't drink to excess
Advertisers and movie-makers do indeed glamorise drinking. Imagine James Bond ordering a Coca-Cola from the barman instead of his usual 'shaken not stirred', or John Wayne pushing open the swing doors of the cowboy saloon bar and ordering a lemonade instead of whiskey; it's unthinkable. But the message is ubiquitous, if that's the word I want. The message is that drinking is normal. Drinking is cool and sophisticated and sociable and attractive. Drinking is sexy...And drinking too much is funny. It's a myth I bought in to 100%. I lived in a fantasy world.
I was a liquour advertiser's wet dream. I can honestly say I have never once been bored during a booze commercial. I assume, though, that for normal people these advertisements are no more interesting than toilet paper ads. Now, there's a thought. Imagine if the brand of bottom tissue one used was a lifestyle choice. That's about the level of insanity being peddled.
I'd love to see a commercial that told the truth:
Drink Bananaman Beer, it gets you sloshed in no time. (We take no responsibility for any adverse effects experienced after drinking our product.)
Anyway, I've rambled a bit there, but I think it's an interesting topic.
Bananaman.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 201
There is no doubt media, not as much adverts for me had big influence on my early drinking patterns. Movies glamourized drinking and the more down to earth dramas and soaps made it seem normal.
I thought it was normal to come home from stressful work day and reach for the whisky bottle like it was water.
I learned about hair the bit the dog from TV and thought this a perfectly normal way to cure an hangover
Maybe the media is just reflecting it's own drinking culture.
I don't begrudge somebody who can drink. Unfortunately in our country we have a binge culture where its perfectly acceptable to go out at weekend and get wasted. This is how I started out, the weekends got longer...well sure you can guess the rest.
I thought it was normal to come home from stressful work day and reach for the whisky bottle like it was water.
I learned about hair the bit the dog from TV and thought this a perfectly normal way to cure an hangover
Maybe the media is just reflecting it's own drinking culture.
I don't begrudge somebody who can drink. Unfortunately in our country we have a binge culture where its perfectly acceptable to go out at weekend and get wasted. This is how I started out, the weekends got longer...well sure you can guess the rest.
9/15/08
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: midwest
Posts: 257
Kurt, that's what I find interesting...re: binge culture.
A friend of mine who is from Italy told me he was surprised and alarmed by the way Americans drank.
He said something to the effect of: 'in my country it is like a social thing, everyone is friendly and happy. In America ppl get intentionally drunk, then fight and get into trouble.'
A friend of mine who is from Italy told me he was surprised and alarmed by the way Americans drank.
He said something to the effect of: 'in my country it is like a social thing, everyone is friendly and happy. In America ppl get intentionally drunk, then fight and get into trouble.'
member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
rant!
I wholeheartedly agree, Carol. The media is so influential - I believe that this influence is mostly negative - and not only regarding addiction.
When was the last time you read *good* news in the papers for a change, or watched an inspiring report in mainstream TV outlets? These pieces are pretty uncommon, and we're usually fed only the dark side of our experience; the news that reach us are manipulated, usually influenced by marketing interests, and they create hysteria and pessimism. Of course that good things happen every single day, but they tend to be disregarded as not being as appealing as the usual bleak fare. It's insidious.
That's one of the reasons I love the internet, as I get to choose the information that reaches me - I choose to be informed by the many upbeat and positive blogs out there, the so many worthwhile and balanced reports available if one digs a little deeper. I truly believe that my everyday life changed for the better when I got rid of cable last year - these days, I only use my TV to watch movies that I rent. I'm not bogged down with the horrible media gloom and doom.
And yes, movies and TV shows do tend to glamorize addiction. I remember watching a Julia Roberts comedy when I was a teenager, when I had just started smoking - some politician (Hillary Clinton, I think) went on the record, decrying the amount of scenes that showed J. Roberts smoking cigs like a chimney. At the time, I thought that Clinton was being overly dramatic and prissy.
I watched that movie again a few months ago, and was *really* appalled by Roberts' character completely unnecessary chainsmoking, LOL. Another example is "Leaving Las Vegas", which is usually hailed as being an accurate depiction of alcoholism - but who cares about that, when the alcoholic chooses to die of drinking, all the while having sex 24/7 with a ridiculously beautiful lady that makes the decadence look attractive.
Oh well, rant over
When was the last time you read *good* news in the papers for a change, or watched an inspiring report in mainstream TV outlets? These pieces are pretty uncommon, and we're usually fed only the dark side of our experience; the news that reach us are manipulated, usually influenced by marketing interests, and they create hysteria and pessimism. Of course that good things happen every single day, but they tend to be disregarded as not being as appealing as the usual bleak fare. It's insidious.
That's one of the reasons I love the internet, as I get to choose the information that reaches me - I choose to be informed by the many upbeat and positive blogs out there, the so many worthwhile and balanced reports available if one digs a little deeper. I truly believe that my everyday life changed for the better when I got rid of cable last year - these days, I only use my TV to watch movies that I rent. I'm not bogged down with the horrible media gloom and doom.
And yes, movies and TV shows do tend to glamorize addiction. I remember watching a Julia Roberts comedy when I was a teenager, when I had just started smoking - some politician (Hillary Clinton, I think) went on the record, decrying the amount of scenes that showed J. Roberts smoking cigs like a chimney. At the time, I thought that Clinton was being overly dramatic and prissy.
I watched that movie again a few months ago, and was *really* appalled by Roberts' character completely unnecessary chainsmoking, LOL. Another example is "Leaving Las Vegas", which is usually hailed as being an accurate depiction of alcoholism - but who cares about that, when the alcoholic chooses to die of drinking, all the while having sex 24/7 with a ridiculously beautiful lady that makes the decadence look attractive.
Oh well, rant over
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by mattcake79
I wholeheartedly agree, Carol. The media is so influential - I believe that this influence is mostly negative - and not only regarding addiction.
When was the last time you read *good* news in the papers for a change, or watched an inspiring report in mainstream TV outlets? These pieces are pretty uncommon, and we're usually fed only the dark side of our experience; the news that reach us are manipulated, usually influenced by marketing interests, and they create hysteria and pessimism. Of course that good things happen every single day, but they tend to be disregarded as not being as appealing as the usual bleak fare. It's insidious.
That's one of the reasons I love the internet, as I get to choose the information that reaches me - I choose to be informed by the many upbeat and positive blogs out there, the so many worthwhile and balanced reports available if one digs a little deeper. I truly believe that my everyday life changed for the better when I got rid of cable last year - these days, I only use my TV to watch movies that I rent. I'm not bogged down with the horrible media gloom and doom.
And yes, movies and TV shows do tend to glamorize addiction. I remember watching a Julia Roberts comedy when I was a teenager, when I had just started smoking - some politician (Hillary Clinton, I think) went on the record, decrying the amount of scenes that showed J. Roberts smoking cigs like a chimney. At the time, I thought that Clinton was being overly dramatic and prissy.
I watched that movie again a few months ago, and was *really* appalled by Roberts' character completely unnecessary chainsmoking, LOL. Another example is "Leaving Las Vegas", which is usually hailed as being an accurate depiction of alcoholism - but who cares about that, when the alcoholic chooses to die of drinking, all the while having sex 24/7 with a ridiculously beautiful lady that makes the decadence look attractive.
Oh well, rant over
When was the last time you read *good* news in the papers for a change, or watched an inspiring report in mainstream TV outlets? These pieces are pretty uncommon, and we're usually fed only the dark side of our experience; the news that reach us are manipulated, usually influenced by marketing interests, and they create hysteria and pessimism. Of course that good things happen every single day, but they tend to be disregarded as not being as appealing as the usual bleak fare. It's insidious.
That's one of the reasons I love the internet, as I get to choose the information that reaches me - I choose to be informed by the many upbeat and positive blogs out there, the so many worthwhile and balanced reports available if one digs a little deeper. I truly believe that my everyday life changed for the better when I got rid of cable last year - these days, I only use my TV to watch movies that I rent. I'm not bogged down with the horrible media gloom and doom.
And yes, movies and TV shows do tend to glamorize addiction. I remember watching a Julia Roberts comedy when I was a teenager, when I had just started smoking - some politician (Hillary Clinton, I think) went on the record, decrying the amount of scenes that showed J. Roberts smoking cigs like a chimney. At the time, I thought that Clinton was being overly dramatic and prissy.
I watched that movie again a few months ago, and was *really* appalled by Roberts' character completely unnecessary chainsmoking, LOL. Another example is "Leaving Las Vegas", which is usually hailed as being an accurate depiction of alcoholism - but who cares about that, when the alcoholic chooses to die of drinking, all the while having sex 24/7 with a ridiculously beautiful lady that makes the decadence look attractive.
Oh well, rant over
People dont like to read how great a day someone is having. Thats not news. Whats news is the latest horrible death, or fire, or some shocking thing. It gets people's attention and adrenaline pumping. Its why sex sells in the media too. Glamorizing cigarettes because they relax you. Just as the booze advertisements do.
I suspect most people can and do control their impulses, but us junkies and alcoholics and addicts cant. The advertisement is for everyone, and for most its nothing more than a passing glance to try a certain product. I have found its attractive to also blame advertisements and movies and such. I can only hold myself responsible for my actions, however. And thats the difficulty in coming to terms with being an addict. Its easy to blame others and this and that, but when it comes down to it, I am the only one to take control of my life and my situation. Just my two cents.
member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
Originally Posted by socialismislost
People dont like to read how great a day someone is having. Thats not news. Whats news is the latest horrible death, or fire, or some shocking thing. It gets people's attention and adrenaline pumping. Its why sex sells in the media too. Glamorizing cigarettes because they relax you. Just as the booze advertisements do.
I suspect most people can and do control their impulses, but us junkies and alcoholics and addicts cant. The advertisement is for everyone, and for most its nothing more than a passing glance to try a certain product. I have found its attractive to also blame advertisements and movies and such. I can only hold myself responsible for my actions, however. And thats the difficulty in coming to terms with being an addict. Its easy to blame others and this and that, but when it comes down to it, I am the only one to take control of my life and my situation. Just my two cents.
I suspect most people can and do control their impulses, but us junkies and alcoholics and addicts cant. The advertisement is for everyone, and for most its nothing more than a passing glance to try a certain product. I have found its attractive to also blame advertisements and movies and such. I can only hold myself responsible for my actions, however. And thats the difficulty in coming to terms with being an addict. Its easy to blame others and this and that, but when it comes down to it, I am the only one to take control of my life and my situation. Just my two cents.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
