How to deal with a binge-drinking culture
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 38
How to deal with a binge-drinking culture
I may have stopped drinking, but alcohol is EVERYWHERE. Bars, restaurants, even some gyms or yoga studios! It is just crazy and it's all to make a buck. I'm also growingly irritated with cups or mugs that say things like "it's not drinking alone if the cat is home!" How do we deal with all this? Alcohol is not healthy- it's addictive and linked to so many kinds of cancer and health problems. It worsens our relationships and our productivity- EVEN at a moderate level! Smoking has decreased dramatically- so why not alcohol? We like to pretend that it's only "alcoholics" that have the problem, as if alcohol were not this incredibly dangerous substance responsible for over 80,000 deaths each year.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Stockport/Greater Manchester/Cheshire
Posts: 911
I felt intensely the same to begin with.
That joke isn’t funny anymore, too close to home too near the bone to quote morrisey
You do desensitise to it after time.
My daughters nursery had champagne out of my well earned money to dish out on parents evening and the nativity. Go figure
Madness .
But I think booze will go the same way as cigarettes.
It’s already had a decline since the media are getting more involved with the no amount of alcohol is safe.
Just got to keep your side of the street clean and see through all the twisted marketing trickery.
Sobriety lets us see things for what they really are.
Count it as a blessing that keeps us fit and well
That joke isn’t funny anymore, too close to home too near the bone to quote morrisey
You do desensitise to it after time.
My daughters nursery had champagne out of my well earned money to dish out on parents evening and the nativity. Go figure
Madness .
But I think booze will go the same way as cigarettes.
It’s already had a decline since the media are getting more involved with the no amount of alcohol is safe.
Just got to keep your side of the street clean and see through all the twisted marketing trickery.
Sobriety lets us see things for what they really are.
Count it as a blessing that keeps us fit and well
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: The Midwest
Posts: 649
Originally Posted by SkyBird 
I may have stopped drinking, but alcohol is EVERYWHERE. Bars, restaurants, even some gyms or yoga studios! It is just crazy and it's all to make a buck. I'm also growingly irritated with cups or mugs that say things like "it's not drinking alone if the cat is home!" How do we deal with all this? Alcohol is not healthy- it's addictive and linked to so many kinds of cancer and health problems. It worsens our relationships and our productivity- EVEN at a moderate level! Smoking has decreased dramatically- so why not alcohol? We like to pretend that it's only "alcoholics" that have the problem, as if alcohol were not this incredibly dangerous substance responsible for over 80,000 deaths each year.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
Personally I deal with it by not passing judgement on people who can drink “normally” or without issue. It would do me no good to snub my nose at society, or to engage is resentment or jealousy. I do see advertisements and celebrations of alcoholic behavior in a different light, though — much as you do.
Not all of it is binge-drinking culture. I do know people who can sip a fine wine on occasion and never over-indulge or get drunk. Great! That’s not me. I’m not built that way. I never have been.
In the same vein I’ve never had an eating disorder or struggled with binge eating to unhealthy levels — many people do. I’ve never had an issue with gambling, despite playing poker. I’ve never been addicted to tobacco despite having smoked cigarettes and cigars in my youth. I’ve never struggled with any other form of addiction.
Just alcohol.
But that is my thing. I can’t control how society views alcohol — I can only control what passes my lips.
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,339
Alcohol has been around for thousands of years and will continue with us for as long as people wish to alter their consciousness for the reasons that they choose to do so.
I cannot change it that it is part of our world, and while I see other people making the choice to buy and to consume it, I don't really let that register with me any longer. I have a necessity not to drink, and there are many others that do (some not practicing that need), and after a time I no longer feel isolated by my situation. I blithely pass by the booze in the stores, skip the menu sections with libations, and ignore all the sales pitches in the media.
As far as how society at large handles the presence of alcohol, I think more is being done to bring awareness to the harm that substance abuse can bring to the individuals, to families, and to communities, in a more frank way that will potentially make people make different choices and understand the potential perils.
I cannot change it that it is part of our world, and while I see other people making the choice to buy and to consume it, I don't really let that register with me any longer. I have a necessity not to drink, and there are many others that do (some not practicing that need), and after a time I no longer feel isolated by my situation. I blithely pass by the booze in the stores, skip the menu sections with libations, and ignore all the sales pitches in the media.
As far as how society at large handles the presence of alcohol, I think more is being done to bring awareness to the harm that substance abuse can bring to the individuals, to families, and to communities, in a more frank way that will potentially make people make different choices and understand the potential perils.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,380
When I fist quit drinking I saw alcohol everywhere too - but time passed and I noticed it less and less - nowadays people can be drinking in front of me and it doesn't register at all, unless they're obnoxious with it.
so there's that.
I know I know...there is a binge drinking culture among some, mostly young, folks, and it's not hard to find if you're looking for it.
I'm sorry I gave it 20 years of my life.
The 12 years I've been out of it - and embraced the much larger non drinking, or drinking responsibly, population have been wonderful.
D
so there's that.
I know I know...there is a binge drinking culture among some, mostly young, folks, and it's not hard to find if you're looking for it.
I'm sorry I gave it 20 years of my life.
The 12 years I've been out of it - and embraced the much larger non drinking, or drinking responsibly, population have been wonderful.
D
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 179
Yup, I struggle with it too. My day one, I was driving down the road, trying to be mindful and grateful and not stressed about sobriety, and a truck covered with glossy pictures of tequila bottles drove past. In a five hour drive I probably saw 40+ billboards for liquor stores or wineries. It doesn't make me *want* it more, but it does make it hard to clear from my mind!
I do worry about people who are conditioned to think of alcohol as a tool and a toy. I know that I need to mind my own business, but I also know how I've struggled and wouldn't wish the same on anyone.
I do worry about people who are conditioned to think of alcohol as a tool and a toy. I know that I need to mind my own business, but I also know how I've struggled and wouldn't wish the same on anyone.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
I look for the growing number of messages on social media, for example, that are challenging the drinking narrative and habits in our society.
I support and "share" those, particularly because I am completely open about my sobriety.
If something bugs me, whether a (truly, stupid) tee or a mug or the champagne flavored gummies meant as a baby shower gift (sigh)...I dismiss it quickly bc it just doesn't apply to me.
When it's something like finding a makeup insert thing for a product called "Hangover Cure x3" in my 16 yr old stepdaughter's room - that's something worth paying attn to and raising a question about how things are in her social life.
Otherwise, I hope people do evaluate their drinking habits and opinions, and turn the channel when yet another celluloid portrayal of recovery (or, the lack thereof) annoys me
I support and "share" those, particularly because I am completely open about my sobriety.
If something bugs me, whether a (truly, stupid) tee or a mug or the champagne flavored gummies meant as a baby shower gift (sigh)...I dismiss it quickly bc it just doesn't apply to me.
When it's something like finding a makeup insert thing for a product called "Hangover Cure x3" in my 16 yr old stepdaughter's room - that's something worth paying attn to and raising a question about how things are in her social life.
Otherwise, I hope people do evaluate their drinking habits and opinions, and turn the channel when yet another celluloid portrayal of recovery (or, the lack thereof) annoys me
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
For me, the "alcohol is everywhere/society or culture is to blame" phenomenon was simply my perception - fueled by my addiction. AKA - I was looking for signs from society to tell me that somehow my addiction wasn't my fault. And of course if I would have let addiction have it's way I would have kept blaming my surroundings and kept right on drinking.
Certainly there are parts of our society that promote drinking, but there is also promotion of prostitution, gambling, eating to excess and just about everything that is "bad" for us. Always has been this way, and always will be.
The best way I found to approach it was to involve myself in activities that did not center around drinking. To be quite honest, there are a lot more of them that don't center around it than do. But make no mistake - it's a shift in perception that only we can make for ourselves.
Certainly there are parts of our society that promote drinking, but there is also promotion of prostitution, gambling, eating to excess and just about everything that is "bad" for us. Always has been this way, and always will be.
The best way I found to approach it was to involve myself in activities that did not center around drinking. To be quite honest, there are a lot more of them that don't center around it than do. But make no mistake - it's a shift in perception that only we can make for ourselves.
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 179
Originally Posted by WhoDeyPI
It has really increased in the last decade or so. I even see things like hiking events described as "hiking with beer". Art events "paint with wine". Like....why?
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
I just tune out all of that Madison Avenue advertising and deceptive portrayal of alcohol (in it, on TV and in movies).
Ditto for cigarettes (which were never my thing).
Add to that the glorification of sexual profligacy.
None of it applies to me.
When I see people living a hedonistic lifestyle on TV or in movies, it sure doesn't paint a rosy picture to me.
That nonsense represents my past, not my today and I hope not my future.
Ditto for cigarettes (which were never my thing).
Add to that the glorification of sexual profligacy.
None of it applies to me.
When I see people living a hedonistic lifestyle on TV or in movies, it sure doesn't paint a rosy picture to me.
That nonsense represents my past, not my today and I hope not my future.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
Yeah alcohol is everywhere and that's just the way it is. Prohibition did nothing but establish organized crime and the illegal drug trade. So, what cha gonna do?
The way to deal with it, if it bothers you, is to stay away from it.
The way to deal with it, if it bothers you, is to stay away from it.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 513
It's a lot less noticeable the more sober time I have.
The fact is I was not drinking like normal people on most occasions. I have absolutely nothing against normal drinkers, so I see the advertising as geared at them, not people like me who can't always control our drinking. I can't be mad at something if it's really me who has the problem.
It's not dangerous if you're a sensible drinker or drink very little in general. Cigarettes however are dangerous regardless of how little or much you smoke. I'm so glad that habit also died when I stopped drinking.
The fact is I was not drinking like normal people on most occasions. I have absolutely nothing against normal drinkers, so I see the advertising as geared at them, not people like me who can't always control our drinking. I can't be mad at something if it's really me who has the problem.
It's not dangerous if you're a sensible drinker or drink very little in general. Cigarettes however are dangerous regardless of how little or much you smoke. I'm so glad that habit also died when I stopped drinking.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 424
I felt the same way. Then I realized I can’t control others, nor worry about their choices in life—I can only worry and control my life.
Now, when I see stuff like you mention, I don’t give it too much thought.
I’m an alcoholic and choose to live my life sober. Others can live how they see fit!
Now, when I see stuff like you mention, I don’t give it too much thought.
I’m an alcoholic and choose to live my life sober. Others can live how they see fit!
saoutchik
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,187
I think that when we first quit, we are obviously coming from a point of frequent contact and engagement with booze retailers, be the clubs and bars or supermarkets and stores. If you drink in company then your companions are doing the same thing. At the point in time that we decide to stop drinking we are intimately connected with the alcohol industry and its users and its sheer ubiquity is striking and we notice the people drinking on the street and we notice the people with the booze at the checkout. We are attuned to this culture.
The good news is that once you have a decent amount of sober time in the bank you begin to notice how most people are not swigging from a can or bottle and most customers do not have skinfuls of booze in their carts or baskets. Most workers do not drink at lunchtimes or straight after work either so it's not all bad news.
That said, education and limitations in the UK (the only place I know well enough to comment on) are a long way from where I think they should be.
The good news is that once you have a decent amount of sober time in the bank you begin to notice how most people are not swigging from a can or bottle and most customers do not have skinfuls of booze in their carts or baskets. Most workers do not drink at lunchtimes or straight after work either so it's not all bad news.
That said, education and limitations in the UK (the only place I know well enough to comment on) are a long way from where I think they should be.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 610
Originally Posted by SkyBird
I may have stopped drinking, but alcohol is EVERYWHERE. Bars, restaurants, even some gyms or yoga studios! It is just crazy and it's all to make a buck. I'm also growingly irritated with cups or mugs that say things like "it's not drinking alone if the cat is home!" How do we deal with all this? Alcohol is not healthy- it's addictive and linked to so many kinds of cancer and health problems. It worsens our relationships and our productivity- EVEN at a moderate level! Smoking has decreased dramatically- so why not alcohol? We like to pretend that it's only "alcoholics" that have the problem, as if alcohol were not this incredibly dangerous substance responsible for over 80,000 deaths each year.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
Please don't tell me that this is a resentment or that I need to let go of control- I just wonder how you guys deal with this, and how we can face a booze centered world being sober people? I genuinely do not want the future generation to be as booze centered as we are now.
I see alcoholics as a smaller subset of a larger group of people that do have unhealthy relationships with alcohol and probably drink more that they should.
I do think though there is a large percentage of the population that dont drink or drink very little and i do believe people are waking up to how unhealthy it is. One day it may be viewed like smoking, especially if more studies confirm that thre is no safe amount
My friends these days generally dont drink or drink very little. Its amazing but there is alot to do and experince without alcohol and i dont miss my old life. I have found with time its easier if not to avoid entirelty but to disregard.
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