Is drinking to feel better always bad?

[jensu846]

how does tobacco get a free pass?? people have more disdain for smokers than drinkers.

 

[maxpowr9]

how does tobacco get a free pass?? people have more disdain for smokers than drinkers.

With my generation [Gen Y], that is true. Since all employees after 6 months get "corporate cars" if they desire, we have a no-smokers policy in place that is strictly obliged.

With the way people have been talking about alcohol in this topic, they think it is some evil substance but much of the time, I won't smell alcohol on a person but you bet your virgin ass I will smell your nasty menthol cigs on you in an instant.

 

[dereperez]

It isn't necessarily bad per se, but if you find yourself preoccupied with doing it in lieu of other activities that can also potentially help you feel better...it can be a warning sign. Opportunity versus dependency.

 

[kevbo]

I'd recommend starting your day with a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and some Rumchata.

 

[star-warrior]

Have some treat in your fridge to come home to instead of the drink. Sometimes feeling tired and crap because of work is because you're not eating properly.

 

[Kabluey]

Doesn't sound like you're drinking that much, but the fact that you're questioning whether you're drinking for the wrong reasons sounds like a good enough reason to lay off it a bit and see how you feel.
Have a wank instead

 

[eastofeden]

I am an alcoholic even though I have not had a drink in over 25 years now....close to 30 now....and as an alcoholic I can say that the only person who can decide if you are an alcoholic is you....period. I don't even "go there" with other people as it is none of my business.

 

[JayHawk]

weed is a depressant too

but I wouldn't say depressants give you the emotion of sadness any more so than stimulants give you the emotion of happiness.

as someone with anxiety, liquor and weed in light doses both just make me feel level/balanced out (and heavy doses and I'm your typical drunk/stoned guy)

Is all weed a depressant?

I thought there existed two strains. Multiple varieties of both strains but two strains.

Indica use creates a “couch-lock”, I-don’t-want-to-move-a-muscle type high. Using indica is a great choice for those nights indoors watching TV, playing video games, or just chilling with close companions. The indica high numbs the body down and induces an overall sense of relaxation, which is ideal for a relaxing night’s sleep.

Sativa use produces more of a mental, cereberal high, which often results in a boost in energy and imagination. Sativa strains are perfect when working creatively in activities such as writing, painting, and brainstorming new ideas. Sativas are also a great choice for enhancing the experience at artistic events like movies and concerts.

meh perhaps they are both depressants but different highs... i withdrawal my question....

I drink somedays and some days I dont. I have drank to excess and been in new orleans for a week that I swear the water had booze in it coming out of the shower....

All things in moderation.

JB you have great advice above. The only other 'good sign' that you may have a problem that I do not see listed is if you change personalities when drinking. If people who know you say stuff like... "man you were wild last night" and you felt like you just had some drinks, then maybe it is time to take a break and see if you have an addiction.

Something odd about alcoholism is it is both an addictive poison and it is a behavior modifier. So you could express symptoms of alcoholism just by the way you were raised or the social context of how you relax.


Anyways i am no expert by any means. But we do training on it regularly to spot it in troops. As you might imagine being in horrible circumstances causes people to turn inward a self medicate.

So maybe the real question you ought to ask is why do you feel a really hard day needs a substance to make better... perhaps you should work on making the days less difficult. Lofty ideas if the situation causing stress is out of your control but you would be surprised how your attitude and simply identifying what causes the bad day can help you recognize it and not let it affect you as much.

 

[Daximus]

I'm glad I'm back on the booze. Fuck being sober. Life's to short.

 

[Kabluey]

Nope. Knew a heavy alcoholic who gave up drinking each lent - about 40 days. Still went back to the bottle with a vengeance afterwards.

 

[Daximus]

I'll die soon from booze but I couldn't care less. I don't drink and drive though so that's good.

 

[Kabluey]

I'll die soon from booze but I couldn't care less.

Please don't :-(

 

[rareboy]

Since I started working out after work, my alcohol consumption has dropped from about two drinks per day to two drinks per week.

Do you have any idea of how many aerobic minutes it takes to undo a glass of red wine or a shot of vodka?

Actually, the workout takes up the space that I had been using to 'unwind' and by the time I've finished and showered, it is time for dinner.

 

[JayHawk]

Since I started working out after work, my alcohol consumption has dropped from about two drinks per day to two drinks per week.

Do you have any idea of how many aerobic minutes it takes to undo a glass of red wine or a shot of vodka?

Actually, the workout takes up the space that I had been using to 'unwind' and by the time I've finished and showered, it is time for dinner.

...25 calories per oz Red Wine, five ounce pour, about a quarter hour depending on body weight

 

[ParisZ]

Lol me too. So fashion, though. Love it. Let's do a "Amy" together..

 

[rareboy]

...25 calories per oz Red Wine, five ounce pour, about a quarter hour depending on body weight

I see you are using the mini wine glasses.

 

[JayHawk]

I see you are using the mini wine glasses.

No. Pretending to have a degree of couth. I use plastic 32oz tumblers. With an ice cube in red wine O_O ... I would just drink straight from the source but boxes of wine are hard to drink from....

 

[sixthson]

Nope. Knew a heavy alcoholic who gave up drinking each lent - about 40 days. Still went back to the bottle with a vengeance afterwards.

This is it. It's not about quantity or frequency. It's about why someone is "using" alcohol. Dependence often start out innocently and in small quantities for recreation or relaxation. We start out controlling them and before we know it, they control us.

 

[bankside]

Dependence is a relative thing though. One might say we're all dependent on pleasure. In that regard I'm addicted to sunbeams, back rubs, good meals...piña coladas....getting caught in the rain...making love at midnight...the taste of champagne, you know, all the usual comforts.

We all need pleasure, and at least neurochemically it is all much the same. The question in my mind is "Is the frequency objectively bad for my liver?" And "Am I forgoing other pleasures," or "am I overlooking other ways to relax?"

 

[blackbeltninja]

I don't think you should worry about looking forward to a glass of good wine or a nice Scotch as a reward at the end of the day. As the others have said, worry if it looks like you can't do without it or you end up having 3 or 4 instead of one - but I doubt it'll ever get that serious, though.

-d-