Do you think "the economy" is responsible for the general increase in alcoholism?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 476
Do you think "the economy" is responsible for the general increase in alcoholism?
See the title.
Day 35.
My head has been clearing up the last few days, and with a fresh mind comes certain observations I hadn't noticed while I was drinking regularly.
For whatever reason, I have been getting flashbacks to when I was visiting liquor stores over the last few years....... and the memories seem to be coming back quite vivid and detailed. By detailed, I mean i seem to be remembering even the exact dollar amount of certain purchases.
Anyways, some of the memories that inspired this thread are those i have of people who sounded "down on their luck" in the store or at the check-out counter. Off the top of my head I am remembering.......
- A white man in a white-dress shirt who was at the check-out he had a fancy looking vodka brand on the counter, i was behind him in line, he was briefly talking with the cashier about something relating to his employer ...... i didn't catch all of it but i did catch a brief part where he said "yeah its bull-****, but yeah, monday was my last day, i didnt like that job anyway they can go **** themselves"
- a middle aged looking lady at the counter, had a bottle of some cheap wine and 2 packs of cigs on the counter, as i was walking up to the counter to get in line i overheard the tail-end of her conversation with the cashier where she said "i know right? its just crazy, there's just NOTHING out there"
- younger black guy at the counter looked to be well dressed, he was chatting with the cashier but i didn't catch most of it as i made my way to the counter, he finished paying for his stuff and left, overheard one of the cashier's saying "its sad, people come here to drown out their sorrows"
- burly looking white dude at the counter i could tell he was ticked off about something just by his body language, cashier says his debit card is no good or has no money on it....... dude raises his voice and say "are you serious?" he makes quite a scene, cashier calls up number on the back and tells the guy the bank said insufficient funds, the dude leaves his six pack on the table and storms out of the store
- a pair of older looking white dudes had a 12 pack on the counter, they seemed to be upbeat but i overheard them talking about having "too much time" on their hands and joking about getting on unemployment and playing xbox all day
- a guy in his 30's was at the counter, was trying to pitch or sell his car to the cashier, wanted like $3000 some dollars, cashier said he wasn't interested already has a car........ guy said, "i REALLY need some money"
- mid twenties looking girl was at the counter with a couple of those "mini" bottles of hard liquor and a pack of smokes, she was chatting with the cashier about how "i just don't know what to do", she graduated law school a year ago and apparently she was stuck at a minimum wage job
- man in his 40's was at the counter as i stood in line, i briefly overheard him mention how he doesnt know how he will pay his CS because his hours got cut
Has anyone else noticed this type of stuff?
Seems that whether we are talking white, black, male, female, old, young, etc one of the most common reasons for a liquor store visit seems to somehow involve or go back to "the economy"
Day 35.
My head has been clearing up the last few days, and with a fresh mind comes certain observations I hadn't noticed while I was drinking regularly.
For whatever reason, I have been getting flashbacks to when I was visiting liquor stores over the last few years....... and the memories seem to be coming back quite vivid and detailed. By detailed, I mean i seem to be remembering even the exact dollar amount of certain purchases.
Anyways, some of the memories that inspired this thread are those i have of people who sounded "down on their luck" in the store or at the check-out counter. Off the top of my head I am remembering.......
- A white man in a white-dress shirt who was at the check-out he had a fancy looking vodka brand on the counter, i was behind him in line, he was briefly talking with the cashier about something relating to his employer ...... i didn't catch all of it but i did catch a brief part where he said "yeah its bull-****, but yeah, monday was my last day, i didnt like that job anyway they can go **** themselves"
- a middle aged looking lady at the counter, had a bottle of some cheap wine and 2 packs of cigs on the counter, as i was walking up to the counter to get in line i overheard the tail-end of her conversation with the cashier where she said "i know right? its just crazy, there's just NOTHING out there"
- younger black guy at the counter looked to be well dressed, he was chatting with the cashier but i didn't catch most of it as i made my way to the counter, he finished paying for his stuff and left, overheard one of the cashier's saying "its sad, people come here to drown out their sorrows"
- burly looking white dude at the counter i could tell he was ticked off about something just by his body language, cashier says his debit card is no good or has no money on it....... dude raises his voice and say "are you serious?" he makes quite a scene, cashier calls up number on the back and tells the guy the bank said insufficient funds, the dude leaves his six pack on the table and storms out of the store
- a pair of older looking white dudes had a 12 pack on the counter, they seemed to be upbeat but i overheard them talking about having "too much time" on their hands and joking about getting on unemployment and playing xbox all day
- a guy in his 30's was at the counter, was trying to pitch or sell his car to the cashier, wanted like $3000 some dollars, cashier said he wasn't interested already has a car........ guy said, "i REALLY need some money"
- mid twenties looking girl was at the counter with a couple of those "mini" bottles of hard liquor and a pack of smokes, she was chatting with the cashier about how "i just don't know what to do", she graduated law school a year ago and apparently she was stuck at a minimum wage job
- man in his 40's was at the counter as i stood in line, i briefly overheard him mention how he doesnt know how he will pay his CS because his hours got cut
Has anyone else noticed this type of stuff?
Seems that whether we are talking white, black, male, female, old, young, etc one of the most common reasons for a liquor store visit seems to somehow involve or go back to "the economy"
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Here, EH!!!
Posts: 1,337
Do you think "the economy" is responsible for the general increase in alcoholism?
Yes, in times of stress, substance abuse, including alcohol abuse would rise, I do believe. What do the studies say on the matter, I do not know, but a solid guess would be yes.
Yes, in times of stress, substance abuse, including alcohol abuse would rise, I do believe. What do the studies say on the matter, I do not know, but a solid guess would be yes.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
There are studies that do show that people that are held down will tend to drink more. The Vietnam study with respect to morphine and heroin addcition is a good example.
However, I don't believe this is a valid excuse for addition. It is my opinion and experience that addiction comes from genetic predisposition and development in early to mid childhood. Addicts tend to pacify things that are lacking naturally with substances and behaviors. It is true that addiction Worldwide is rising and the War on Drugs has failed miserably. It is also my own personal opinion that the destruction of the nuclear family has much to do with rising addiction rates in the US (I am including substance and behavioral). So one could argue cost of living and declinging inflation adjusted wages could have an impact of addiction rates.
As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up
Alcohol Abuse Health CenterTools & ResourcesAlcohol Abuse: Getting TreatmentHelping Someone Get TreatmentCommonly Abused Drugs What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?Do You Have a Drinking Problem?Teen Substance Abuse
WebMD News Archive
As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up
Study Shows an Increase in Alcohol Abuse During an Economic Recession
Save This Article For Later
Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save?We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in.
Share this:
Font size:
AAA.By Denise Mann
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Oct. 13, 2011 -- When the going gets tough, it seems that a lot of us may go drinking.
Along with higher unemployment and bankruptcy, an economic recession brings increased drinking of alcohol, a study suggests. The increased use of alcohol includes binge drinking, problem drinking, and driving under the influence.
The study is published in Health Economics.
The findings run counter to what had previously been thought about drinking habits during economic downturns.
"It was thought that when unemployment goes up, income goes down and people will consume less because they don't have the resources," says study researcher Michael T. French, PhD, a professor of health economics at the University of Miami.
"People are self-medicating with alcohol," French says. "If you have more free time, you can engage in activities like drinking more frequently than if you were employed. The self-medication and leisure time effect are dominating the income effect."
The new study tracked alcohol drinking patterns from 2001 to 2005, which predates the current recession. This means that things may be a whole lot worse now, French says. "There will also likely be an uptick in addiction and treatment admissions due to alcohol abuse."
How to Protect Your Health Care in a Rough Economy
Increase in Binge Drinking
According to the new report, overall, people drink more during a recession, but African-Americans and people aged 18 to 24 are among the most likely to binge drink.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above. For men, this may occur after having five or more drinks in about two hours. Among women, binge drinking involves four or more drinks in about two hours.
It's not just the down and out that are drowning their spirits with spirits either. Drinking is more common as the education level and income goes up, the study shows.
People who are employed binge drink more frequently and are more likely to drive after having too much to drink during a bad economy than during a good one, French says.
Stress and Worry During Bad Economy
"Even if you have a job, you may be concerned about losing it or maybe you are worried about other family members who are at risk for losing a job," he says.
We are talking about the high-functioning alcohol abuser here, says addiction specialist Paul Leslie Hokemeyer, PhD. He works at the Caron Treatment Center's New York City office.
"From the outside, their lives look perfect," he says. "They have a job, two cars, own a house, and have kids in private schools, but they are being eaten up by a sense of anxiety and helplessness."
"People who do have jobs may keep it together and go to work during the week, but then on the weekend, they start drinking and they can't stop," he says.
However, I don't believe this is a valid excuse for addition. It is my opinion and experience that addiction comes from genetic predisposition and development in early to mid childhood. Addicts tend to pacify things that are lacking naturally with substances and behaviors. It is true that addiction Worldwide is rising and the War on Drugs has failed miserably. It is also my own personal opinion that the destruction of the nuclear family has much to do with rising addiction rates in the US (I am including substance and behavioral). So one could argue cost of living and declinging inflation adjusted wages could have an impact of addiction rates.
As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up
Alcohol Abuse Health CenterTools & ResourcesAlcohol Abuse: Getting TreatmentHelping Someone Get TreatmentCommonly Abused Drugs What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?Do You Have a Drinking Problem?Teen Substance Abuse
WebMD News Archive
As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up
Study Shows an Increase in Alcohol Abuse During an Economic Recession
Save This Article For Later
Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save?We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in.
Share this:
Font size:
AAA.By Denise Mann
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Oct. 13, 2011 -- When the going gets tough, it seems that a lot of us may go drinking.
Along with higher unemployment and bankruptcy, an economic recession brings increased drinking of alcohol, a study suggests. The increased use of alcohol includes binge drinking, problem drinking, and driving under the influence.
The study is published in Health Economics.
The findings run counter to what had previously been thought about drinking habits during economic downturns.
"It was thought that when unemployment goes up, income goes down and people will consume less because they don't have the resources," says study researcher Michael T. French, PhD, a professor of health economics at the University of Miami.
"People are self-medicating with alcohol," French says. "If you have more free time, you can engage in activities like drinking more frequently than if you were employed. The self-medication and leisure time effect are dominating the income effect."
The new study tracked alcohol drinking patterns from 2001 to 2005, which predates the current recession. This means that things may be a whole lot worse now, French says. "There will also likely be an uptick in addiction and treatment admissions due to alcohol abuse."
How to Protect Your Health Care in a Rough Economy
Increase in Binge Drinking
According to the new report, overall, people drink more during a recession, but African-Americans and people aged 18 to 24 are among the most likely to binge drink.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above. For men, this may occur after having five or more drinks in about two hours. Among women, binge drinking involves four or more drinks in about two hours.
It's not just the down and out that are drowning their spirits with spirits either. Drinking is more common as the education level and income goes up, the study shows.
People who are employed binge drink more frequently and are more likely to drive after having too much to drink during a bad economy than during a good one, French says.
Stress and Worry During Bad Economy
"Even if you have a job, you may be concerned about losing it or maybe you are worried about other family members who are at risk for losing a job," he says.
We are talking about the high-functioning alcohol abuser here, says addiction specialist Paul Leslie Hokemeyer, PhD. He works at the Caron Treatment Center's New York City office.
"From the outside, their lives look perfect," he says. "They have a job, two cars, own a house, and have kids in private schools, but they are being eaten up by a sense of anxiety and helplessness."
"People who do have jobs may keep it together and go to work during the week, but then on the weekend, they start drinking and they can't stop," he says.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
Originally Posted by Elisabeth888 
No.
I read that alcoholism is 50% hereditary and 50% poor coping skills and I believe it.
I read that alcoholism is 50% hereditary and 50% poor coping skills and I believe it.
Perhaps my references are all skewed so I would love to hear more about this topic based on my own fascination.
I do think there is a combination of predisposition (genetic) and environmental factors both exposure to activation and development towards addiction.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,635
Originally Posted by jdooner
Do you have any statistics to back this up? I have never heard such a cut and dry argument with percentages. Most of my research suggest the genetic argument has been largely replaced by environmental over the past decade. I would cite the following: American Journal of Medicne, New England Journal of Medicne, Psychology Today, Scientific America, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.
Perhaps my references are all skewed so I would love to hear more about this topic based on my own fascination.
I do think there is a combination of predisposition (genetic) and environmental factors both exposure to activation and development towards addiction.
Perhaps my references are all skewed so I would love to hear more about this topic based on my own fascination.
I do think there is a combination of predisposition (genetic) and environmental factors both exposure to activation and development towards addiction.
I got it from this book called "I Want to Change My Life" by Steven Melemis. It is on page 214 and there is a footnote to a paper called "Genetic and environmental contributions to alcohol abuse and dependence in a population-based sample of male twins", American Journal of Psychiatry 1999 Jan: (1) 34-40.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
Thanks Elisabeth - I will give it a read.
If you have not read In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - supports more of the environmental argument...I try not to take any one datapoint as gosple but does a good job articulating the development and idea of early childhood development in realtion to addiction
If you have not read In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts - supports more of the environmental argument...I try not to take any one datapoint as gosple but does a good job articulating the development and idea of early childhood development in realtion to addiction
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 26
Greetings to all ~~~~~~~~~`
I think that the first post is interesting, because I had noticed that in the liquor stores around here also before I quit drinking. I have been an alcoholic for many years, and am now on my second run of sobriety from alcohol, although I have other behaviours that mimic alcoholism in my life unfortunately. I have been through treatment befoe and to many meetings and have learned quite a bit about the recovery process and am trying to apply them as best as I can at this time. I am now 7 months sober from alcohol, and an sooooooooooooooooooo grateful for that.
What I would like to ask everyone is, has anyone noticed that the suicide rate has really increased since this economic depression began???? I Think that is probably a documented fact at this point .......................... It is no wonder ........... I am struggling just to live, at an age where that shouldn'tbe happening . IT makes me so sad, full of regret, and I can totally understand why people are committing suicide like they are now. I know it has always been around, but I seriousy think it has increased lately ~~~~~ even rich and famous people.
Many blessings on your journey to stay away from alcohol ~~~~~~~~` it will ruin your life, and sometimes that of those around you.
I am praying for you all ~~~~~~~~~
I think that the first post is interesting, because I had noticed that in the liquor stores around here also before I quit drinking. I have been an alcoholic for many years, and am now on my second run of sobriety from alcohol, although I have other behaviours that mimic alcoholism in my life unfortunately. I have been through treatment befoe and to many meetings and have learned quite a bit about the recovery process and am trying to apply them as best as I can at this time. I am now 7 months sober from alcohol, and an sooooooooooooooooooo grateful for that.
What I would like to ask everyone is, has anyone noticed that the suicide rate has really increased since this economic depression began???? I Think that is probably a documented fact at this point .......................... It is no wonder ........... I am struggling just to live, at an age where that shouldn'tbe happening . IT makes me so sad, full of regret, and I can totally understand why people are committing suicide like they are now. I know it has always been around, but I seriousy think it has increased lately ~~~~~ even rich and famous people.
Many blessings on your journey to stay away from alcohol ~~~~~~~~` it will ruin your life, and sometimes that of those around you.
I am praying for you all ~~~~~~~~~
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 476
Originally Posted by Paladin97
What I would like to ask everyone is, has anyone noticed that the suicide rate has really increased since this economic depression began???? I Think that is probably a documented fact at this point .......................... It is no wonder ........... I am struggling just to live, at an age where that shouldn'tbe happening . IT makes me so sad, full of regret, and I can totally understand why people are committing suicide like they are now. I know it has always been around, but I seriousy think it has increased lately ~~~~~ even rich and famous people.
Many blessings on your journey to stay away from alcohol ~~~~~~~~` it will ruin your life, and sometimes that of those around you.
I am praying for you all ~~~~~~~~~
Many blessings on your journey to stay away from alcohol ~~~~~~~~` it will ruin your life, and sometimes that of those around you.
I am praying for you all ~~~~~~~~~
I can't say i blame them either, i mean....... what is there to look forward to in this country anyways? It's obvious to anyone who looks at the overall trends that the country is beyond saving at this point...... culturally, economically, spiritually. The people are broken, the government is corrupt, evil seems to be everywhere.
I disagree with going to such an extreme such as killing yourself, but at the same time I can understand why a lot of people would resort to "the next best thing" which is drugs, alcohol, weed, crack, etc when under such a degree of financial distress.
Only thing we can do is try our best to adapt to this changing economic landscape, we have no choice.......we do what we gotta do!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vermont
Posts: 41
First of all I want to say congrats on your time so far. I'm also in early recovery. Second I am glad your memory is coming back like that because I noticed that too. I don't think it's a validation for drinking but I do believe there is a correlation between the hopelessness of the current economy and alcoholism just from what I've seen and read.
I study economic trends in some of my free time and I live in a blue collar Vermont town. They drink beer like it's water up here, and it's always people complaining about lower wages, higher taxes, disappearing pensions. The united states is undoubtedly headed for a major economic collapse, but at the same time there is no need to drown sorrows.
I admit I feel hopeless at times, but as an above poster suggested it's all about the coping mechanisms. Misery loves company, I'm sure any liquor store owner would agree with that.
I study economic trends in some of my free time and I live in a blue collar Vermont town. They drink beer like it's water up here, and it's always people complaining about lower wages, higher taxes, disappearing pensions. The united states is undoubtedly headed for a major economic collapse, but at the same time there is no need to drown sorrows.
I admit I feel hopeless at times, but as an above poster suggested it's all about the coping mechanisms. Misery loves company, I'm sure any liquor store owner would agree with that.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
