Road to alcoholism

[wfr42]

If you haven't seen The West Wing, SWMBO introduced me to it when we were dating, take a look at

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6GxYVJcuo[/ame] - particularly from about 2.10
and
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma3d-YdLjCs[/ame] - particularly after the 2min mark.

It rang a bit too true for me the first time I watched it, especially the last 45seconds of the 2nd clip, although I only drank on nights out, but usually to excess. About 3 or 4 years ago I became a beer snob and decided to only drink Real Ale/Craft Beer and stop drinking any spirits, which led me to homebrewing.

I now try to operate a 5 drink limit on a regular night out (which are very infrequent - usually host or visit friends) and tally how many of my homebrews I have each month - aiming for less 30, ideally 20 or less (at 5% per beer thats between 12 and 18 units a week).

Currently waiting until the 19th for my next beer, as with early samples of my recent brew I'm ahead of the curve of 2 beers per 3 nights

It's good to test the will power at least once a week and confirm you don't NEED a beer (or two or three...) every night.

 

[Ale]

I was thinking of doing a similar article, but from a different perspective. I'm planning to do my first AG brew soon but if the results arent worth the effort I may give up on home brewing. The reason being I dont drink enough to make it worth it. I tend to only have maybe 3 bottles on a Friday night and not much else. My wife doesnt drink

One thing you need to know is how many units you are having and a few years back where I was working did an alcohol awareness course as there was a problem with a lot of staff. Long story short, 1 unit is 10ml of alcohol. To work it out take the total volume, say 500ml X ABV, say 4%, so 500X4%=20ml which is 2 units.

I am an ex-alcoholic who used to drink a lot. I drank 30 pints on a Friday and Saturday night by the age of 17 and in the pub every night. At my worst in my mid-20's I had a few nights I drank 50 pints confirmed by bar staff and some some responsible and trustworthy people in a large group of about 30 of us who would go out. Used to come to the next day completely numb down my left side. At that time I would sometimes drink 100 pints a week. I would have killed myself with drink and drugs. I then had one of those powerful conversions and became a Christian and the next week went out expecting to drink as much as the previous week but after 4 pints I could not physically drink any more. Gave up drinking for a while and then started again in moderation and have never wanted to drink excessively on a regular basis again (although I've had some heavy nights out). If you do find you are becoming addicted do something about it sooner rather than later. I couldnt myself and needed divine help, but its quite common in the church to find people like me.

 

[Personal91]

Bizarrely, I think I drink less now than I did before I started brewing!

same oddly enough, i think it comes with appreciation and respect for drink now!

Before it was something that was served to us but now after hours and hours of pouring over forums and time spent brewing we have a greater understanding of it.

 

[IainM]

@wfr42 that first clip, about once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. Well, in my Father's town there was a guy, an ex-alcoholic, hadn't drunk a drop in the best part of a decade. Then, on his daughter's wedding day, he decided to have a glass of champagne. Within a month he had drunk himself to death.

 

[chub1]

I usually have a pint, perhaps only half per day ,the other half gets poured into a pet bottle for the following day, usually keeps fine. If i go out at weekends I perhaps have a couple of pints, rarely more. Usually have a sniffter of brandy before bedtime if i have any!

 

[wfr42]

I'm pretty sure that John Spencer who played the character was a recovering alcoholic in real life.

It's was a very well written and researched show regardless.

 

[Hoddy]

Is four beers on a Monday night a bad thing???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JapanBrew]

IainM on an early post was right. I have had family members who had massive issues. Life choices and such, then they drink. I also have other family members, very close to my heart, who have near the same life issues, and they eat. It is killing all of them. It is the issues that are there.
I went through a spell last year that drinking made it hide. However I've got this great new wife who together worked on those issues. Still drink and party. But now the issues are finished. It does help drinking in Japan. Japanese are super happy people when drunk even though they have tons of work stress. They show and guide you as you drink to avoid the dark talk and stay on the jokes. Over years, it comes natural. It really stands out when I go the tap room that is run and patroned by mostly westerners. Many times, gets dark. Almost fighting. Like a dong comp.

So, back to the question, I think it doesn't change the chance. If you need that fix, you'll go get it.

 

[Linalmeemow]

The drinking culture in Japan is great for sure. I don't think I saw more than one altercation in the years I spent living (and drinking) there, and that was just two salarymen in a pushing match on the last train. I was always surprised at the number of piles of puke I saw on the pavements in the morning though!

 

[aamcle]

3 bottles on Friday possibly a bit Sat or Sun other than that dry.


aamcle

 

[pms67]

Ok,its official, i drink more than everybody 😨
There seems to be a lot of brewing going on compared to drinking it!!!!!
The "what are you drinking tonight" thread should just be shut as it only applies to me 😉
Unless of course.......

 

[Spapro]

I'm trying to cut down. I manage 2 dry days every week but definately have too many on the non-dry days.

Not helping my waistline either !

 

[JapanBrew]

Ok,its official, i drink more than everybody 😨
There seems to be a lot of brewing going on compared to drinking it!!!!!
The "what are you drinking tonight" thread should just be shut as it only applies to me 😉
Unless of course.......

Ok, I didn't actually say how much I drink, I'm sure I'm at least where you're at... I have 1 dry night, Sunday. Other than that, start with a few beers, then have to help the wife with the wine. And I've got to have my whiskey at night or it just doesn't complete the night. Start with a bourbon then end with a nice scotch. At least a 15 year. In the middle, got to fit in an Irish whiskey. If I'm really relaxed then the cigar comes out.
I drink. But, I don't drink to live. And I sure as heck don't live to drink. It's just my enjoyment.

 

[howyoubrewin]

I find living with a non drinker really puts a spotlight on my drinking habits. I am not a great fan of going down the pub or into town drinking and find that I prefer to settle the kids and read a book or listen to music with a beer at home instead. Now, I am aware of the opinions on drinking alone vs social drinking and going to pub vs drinking at home but hey, I'm a homebrewer,clues in the title! Problem i have is that the wife isnt a drinker at all so i become very concious when im sitting tucking into a beer and for that reason alone i try not to hammer it.My job gives me quite a bit of time off because of the way the shifts work and so there is more opportunity for me to pop open a beer without having to consider work the next day. I also find that I go through fazes where I notice an increase in my consumption and I feel I need to reset the routine. I reckon I drink 2-3 nights out of 8 (shift pattern). I recon that on my heaviest of nights I would be lucky if I could even get into double figures on beer.

 

[pms67]

My better half is also a non drinker.
She keeps me from overdoing it,and dont mention hops

 

[howyoubrewin]

My better half is also a non drinker.
She keeps me from overdoing it,and dont mention hops

Anything homebrew related is the devil in my wife's eyes. But hey,I gave up wardrobe space for her hobby so she can give up a kitchen cupboard for mine!

 

[stevered]

If your beer is around 4% and you only ever drink beer as long as you're not falling down drunk I've always thought that putting on weight would be the biggest health risk.

Everyone I've known or seen on TV with a drink problem seems to drink wine and spirits.

 

[stevered]

I should have said that those I've seen with a drink problem drink wine and spirits as well as beer. Spirits seams to be a particularly frequent.

 

[Bigjas]

I have seen people have their lives taken over by alcohol. They usually drink wine or spirits when they have an addiction. I also know a few big beer drinkers and they are very over weight. I drink approximately 10-12 pints a week and often have a dry day. I am starting to get a beer belly now I'm mid 40s but enjoy my beer so am happy with that.

 

[wfr42]

My better half is also a non drinker.
She keeps me from overdoing it,and dont mention hops

Like wise though I hide my hops in the drawer of frozen curry sauces...and then make new ones from scratch .