CDX_EIRE
Vital Football Legend
Im a bit of both really...
If Im drinking 2 or 3 nights a week or go out when I dont want to its social pressure...
But when I am out its to get drunk as much as it is to socialise...
However if I go for a midweek drink or during the day usually its just for some social pints...
Not to be stereotypical but being Irish its in our blood and for me its difficult to just have one or two drinks... I think its the same for many other northern European countries alcohol has been apart of our culture for centuries...
If Im drinking 2 or 3 nights a week or go out when I dont want to its social pressure...
But when I am out its to get drunk as much as it is to socialise...
However if I go for a midweek drink or during the day usually its just for some social pints...
Not to be stereotypical but being Irish its in our blood and for me its difficult to just have one or two drinks... I think its the same for many other northern European countries alcohol has been apart of our culture for centuries...
gator
Vital Champions League
Without a doubt CDX it's in our culture where I come the Black Country you had a lot of Chain makers where it was hard graft and a very hot environment and you hear stories of these men would drink up to 16 pints while at work and still produce some of the finest chains in the world.Draymen would also guzzle a gallon or more whilst delivering the beer.Obviously don't happen now but that's our heritage.
OnMeHeadFred
Vital Reserves Team
It is two questions really:
Why do I drink and why have I been known to drink to excess?
The first answer is that alcohol makes me feel good; the world does seem better when I have had a couple of units, and the good stuff tastes very nice.
But it actually doesn't take much to have an effect and once the euphoria level has been reached, there is not much point in having any more.
The periods in life when I have drank to excess, always occurred when I was working or was hanging out with drinkers. When I changed my friends my drinking habits changed, and when I hung-out with teetotallers, I had no desire to have a drink at all.
These days I find that on the nights I have a drink, around four units are enough.
Drink can make you feel euphoric but it can also unleash buried feelings of misery, and like other drugs any pleasure you do get is only ever borrowed from the day after.
Why do I drink and why have I been known to drink to excess?
The first answer is that alcohol makes me feel good; the world does seem better when I have had a couple of units, and the good stuff tastes very nice.
But it actually doesn't take much to have an effect and once the euphoria level has been reached, there is not much point in having any more.
The periods in life when I have drank to excess, always occurred when I was working or was hanging out with drinkers. When I changed my friends my drinking habits changed, and when I hung-out with teetotallers, I had no desire to have a drink at all.
These days I find that on the nights I have a drink, around four units are enough.
Drink can make you feel euphoric but it can also unleash buried feelings of misery, and like other drugs any pleasure you do get is only ever borrowed from the day after.
CDX_EIRE
Vital Football Legend
It seems to me that binge drinking is more of a phase but like anything it varies from person to person... MY dad has told me some of his antics he grew out of all that stuff but it took him til well into his thirties to do it...
But I see others who went hard but by 28 they stopped...
I think for many binge drinking is something that isnt as simple to stop as many make it out to be... When I get going its vary rare that I stop usually Il keep going til they stop unless Im just out on a Wednesday for a few pints but I suppose even then I usually drink til closing...
But I see others who went hard but by 28 they stopped...
I think for many binge drinking is something that isnt as simple to stop as many make it out to be... When I get going its vary rare that I stop usually Il keep going til they stop unless Im just out on a Wednesday for a few pints but I suppose even then I usually drink til closing...
G
Guest
Guest
Think it's a bit of both, you want to drink socially with pals but you want a good time so you tend to drink to get drunk.
kefkat
Vital Football Legend
Ratman you used to be a heavy drinker, not an alcoholic. If you were alcoholic you would not have been able to stop and moderate without help.
See my 1st post on page 1 about it. Alot of people think a person who is a heavy drinker is alcoholic when they aren't. Not how much you drink, or how often, it's what happens when you drink..
V
Villan Of The North
Guest
You think it's having a good time being drunk? Seriously?
CDX_EIRE
Vital Football Legend
Il tell you what Iv learned and it only took me the best part of 6 or 7 years drinking...
When you're surrounded by the right people the need to keep drinking decreases... When me and one of mates drink we will get to a certain point and the need to drink stops we'll just have the craic but I that when he isnt around my ability to have fun deteriorates because some of the people we are friends just want to get drunk rather than have the craic...
Now with some of my other friends the sole purpose is getting drunk we keep going by choice... With others when y mate isnt around I find myself having to drink because I cant get them to do anything else...
When you're surrounded by the right people the need to keep drinking decreases... When me and one of mates drink we will get to a certain point and the need to drink stops we'll just have the craic but I that when he isnt around my ability to have fun deteriorates because some of the people we are friends just want to get drunk rather than have the craic...
Now with some of my other friends the sole purpose is getting drunk we keep going by choice... With others when y mate isnt around I find myself having to drink because I cant get them to do anything else...
SherlockGT
Vital 1st Team Regular
I very rarely drink but i do love the taste of Guinness!
HeathfieldRoad1874
Miserable Sod
My drinking is all Social. The problem is I tend to be Social 4 or 5 times a week.
We have a driving rota for Golf, between 3 of us, so 2 out of 3 rounds I can have a few, and I tend to do so.
My family also like a drink, so any visit usually ends up round the Pub, or some booze at home.
I don't drink at home alone very often - probably less than a ten times a year. I've also gone long periods without a drink, just to see what happens. Nothing did.
We have a driving rota for Golf, between 3 of us, so 2 out of 3 rounds I can have a few, and I tend to do so.
My family also like a drink, so any visit usually ends up round the Pub, or some booze at home.
I don't drink at home alone very often - probably less than a ten times a year. I've also gone long periods without a drink, just to see what happens. Nothing did.
CDX_EIRE
Vital Football Legend
Iv worked this into my life...
Philosophy of Life
You may have heard a version of this used as a spiritual illustration, but this may just possibly be closer to reality...
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. This time the students were sure and they responded with a unanimous "YES!"
The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar -- effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children?things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the rocks first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."
Philosophy of Life
You may have heard a version of this used as a spiritual illustration, but this may just possibly be closer to reality...
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. This time the students were sure and they responded with a unanimous "YES!"
The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar -- effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children?things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the rocks first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."
G
Guest
Guest
CDX Duuuuude :1: That was brilliant, what a great little story and way of putting things on how and what is most important in life, enjoyed that cheers :7:
Having spent several months working in Russia (Siberia) the problem with alcohol has definitely been reduced following the banning of consumption of vodka in public areas in 2007-08. Obviously what used to happen was young men would go out and buy a 700mL bottle of vodka for 90 rubles (AU$3), get absolutely blotto, pass out and often die during winter. From memory Stolichnaya vodka was the cheap and nasty. Albeit they are still allowed to consume beer in public but it is far more difficult to get in the same state as quickly when drinking beer. I can imagine a similar issue in Scandinavian countries although the price of obtaining vodka or alcohol in general would be far, far more expensive than Russia.
Personally, I think the alcohol culture is worse in Australia than what I was exposed to in Russia.
Back on topic, I drink for social reasons but I also love the taste.
James06
Vital Football Legend
I drink to get drunk.
If I go for a meal or to a pub for a short time I will have soft drinks. Unless I'm going to stay for at least 5 pints and then go straight home to bed, I wont bother having alcohol.
I've been pissed about 4 times this year.
Go back a few years and I was pissed about 4 times a week!
If I go for a meal or to a pub for a short time I will have soft drinks. Unless I'm going to stay for at least 5 pints and then go straight home to bed, I wont bother having alcohol.
I've been pissed about 4 times this year.
Go back a few years and I was pissed about 4 times a week!
The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
I virtually never drink at home any more, live on my own, think drinking is a social thing so just don't bother. Also, I already feel half drunk due to the brain thing.
I do sometimes get the little bottles of red wine and have a sup but that is more for the health reasons really.
I've become similar Jim, can't really be doing with just one drink when having a meal, unless occasionally I'm in a red wine vibe, so have a large bottle of sparking water to last me.
I do tend to only drink now when I know I can have at least 4 pints.
I do sometimes get the little bottles of red wine and have a sup but that is more for the health reasons really.
I've become similar Jim, can't really be doing with just one drink when having a meal, unless occasionally I'm in a red wine vibe, so have a large bottle of sparking water to last me.
I do tend to only drink now when I know I can have at least 4 pints.
