After reading quite the eye opening book, 'Sobriety High: My year without booze' by Jill Stark, it got me thinking.
Now this question isn't about whether you have read the book, but whether you think that alcoholism is a problem in Australian's today?

Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am.

We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK.

In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer.

it's not just Australia, we just like to think we do everything bigger and better than everyone else, that includes drinking ...

I met a Englishman who used to drink a case (24) longnecks every night (for those who don't know their beers, that 750ml bottles) ... bugger me, now he could drink ... have to hand it to him though, every morning he was up at 5am for a 5 mile (not km) run ... to be fair, he used to work for the British navy, Submariner, so he could have just been trying to make up for the months at sea without any beer.

I don't get it. What is it with alcohol? What's its appeal? I enjoy soft drinks, but I get little pleasure in drinking something that burns my throat and makes my cheeks go red. Give me a Coca Cola, Sprite or Fanta any day. :o

It's a work hard play hard attitude we have here in the west.

I think that pressures are greater than ever before and getting worse, so people look for a quick relaxation fix that is not natural and not sustainable.

If it's not the grog, it will be something else; sex, gambling, drugs, etc.
Time rarely permits pastimes that bring about a natural state of relaxation, and that ability I think gets lost in the ether for a lot of people, sometimes never to return.

I watched a TV show last night which displayed how the (mostly) young English tourists behave when they engulf the once sleepy Thai island of Koh Phangan for the fabled full moon party, which is actually a tourist invention.
They make an absolute mess of the island and themselves, but it's good business for the bemused Thais who fuel them with bucket loads of cheap alcohol.

Amadd wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 10:55pm:

If it's not the grog, it will be something else; sex, gambling, drugs, etc.

I think video games and masturbation are a better option.


Amadd wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 10:55pm:

I watched a TV show last night which displayed how the (mostly) young English tourists behave when they engulf the once sleepy Thai island of Koh Phangan for the fabled full moon party, which is actually a tourist invention. They make an absolute mess of the island and themselves, but it's good business for the bemused Thais who fuel them with bucket loads of cheap alcohol.

I don't know why anyone would want to go to a distant land where the laws are different to their own, muck around and abuse their own bodies with dangerous chemicals without fear of the consequences. You could end up in jail, find you've been robbed, bashed up, shot, killed or that you're in a far worse state than ever before. :D

The only reason I can think of is peer pressure. Your friends wanted to go and you didn't want to miss out.

Well for me the answer is no!!!!!! I would not go to Thai with a bunch of friends who don't respect their bodies or their personal security enough to not engage in something so reckless.

Oh BTW, was it The Hangover? That's American.

Quote:

I think video games and masturbation are a better option.

;D They're in the "etc." category.

It's a fantastic country and it's a bit of a pity that a lot of young westerners don't get to appreciate it any more than their local boozer.

mantra wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 7:17pm:

Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer.

Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ????

SOB

Mnemonic wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 9:39pm:

I don't get it. What is it with alcohol? What's its appeal? I enjoy soft drinks, but I get little pleasure in drinking something that burns my throat and makes my cheeks go red. Give me a Coca Cola, Sprite or Fanta any day. :o

IMO soft drinks are as bad as alcohol. They are full of sugar (like alcohol) and they are jus tas bad for your liver and kidneys. If you are prone to liver problems you shouldn't drink either although i read something recently about how no amount of alcohol is a safe amount it was prolly propaganda aimed @ taxing alcohol.

SOB

I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia.

We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal"
I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere.
That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal.
If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal.
Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal.

Mnemonic wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 9:39pm:

I don't get it. What is it with alcohol? What's its appeal? I enjoy soft drinks, but I get little pleasure in drinking something that burns my throat and makes my cheeks go red. Give me a Coca Cola, Sprite or Fanta any day. :o

In my opinion? People drink because it's the social thing to do, some feel pressured into it because their friends are drinking and they get cut out because they are not.

Mnemonic wrote on May 23^rd, 2013 at 9:39pm:

I don't get it. What is it with alcohol? What's its appeal?

Erm...you have tried alcohol before, haven't you?

miketrees wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 5:19am:

I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal.

That's exactly right. The message to people now is to accept that it's "normal" to drink on every occasion and young people are killing themselves with their binges and everyday drinking. Everyone else does it - so it has to be normal.

As little as 20 years ago in NSW - pubs weren't open on Sunday and they closed their doors at 10 or 11 - now they're open all night. Bottle shops are open 24/7 and clubs are just as bad.


Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 4:14am:

Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ????

Cirrhosis of the liver.

I wasn't consistent in my description. Obviously obesity must cause some serious problems, otherwise there wouldn't be so many warnings about it. Maybe heart disease, stroke etc. similar to problems with excessive drinking, except obesity would cause a fatty liver whereas alcohol causes cirrhosis.

alcohol aint that great. the taste is ok (in the right drinks like beer) buyt hard liquor is nasty as fuvk. getting drunk gets old fast and the health drawbacks/hangovers negate the enjoyment you get from it. people my age have become social scrubs who cant function without it as a crutch.

miketrees wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 5:19am:

I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal.

Pretty spot on. Being sold as a 'drinking culture' is appalling.

As if 'drinking' and 'culture' should be in a sentence together  ;D

Oh I don't know, a nice bottle of bin 389 on a cold winter's night, followed by whatever's left in the cupboard and morphing into an incoherent asshole on the internet can't be all that bad can it? :D

... wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 9:11am:

Erm...you have tried alcohol before, haven't you?

Yes, nothing really special. It was vodka and had 1.5 standard drinks.

Give it a shot Mnem, you might just grow a pair  ;D

Amadd wrote on May 25^th, 2013 at 2:45am:

Give it a shot Mnem, you might just grow a pair  ;D

So now you are trying to use peer pressure to get him to drink?

SOB

Amadd wrote on May 25^th, 2013 at 2:45am:

Give it a shot Mnem, you might just grow a pair  ;D

This is the 21st century. The worth of a "man" doesn't come from reckless, risk-taking macho, macho, alpha male behaviour that is characteristic of many species in the Animal Kingdom. Such attitudes and behaviours hold back the progress of civilisation. One must choose between enlightenment/civilisation and recklessness/decadence.

If you want to challenge me to a duel at dawn tomorrow, the answer is no. I don't need it. My honour does not depend on it. :D

Ahh it's just a "puts hairs on your chest" comment. Tongue in cheek mate.

miketrees wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 5:19am:

I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal.

bump
often drinkers drink to mask their emotions.

Sprintcyclist wrote on May 26^th, 2013 at 2:41am:

miketrees wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 5:19am: I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal. bump often drinkers drink to mask their emotions.

Which can more than not, often lead to a problem drinker.

Mnemonic wrote on May 25^th, 2013 at 1:14am:

... wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 9:11am: Erm...you have tried alcohol before, haven't you? Yes, nothing really special. It was vodka and had 1.5 standard drinks.

I drink most nights of the week, 6-10 standard drinks a night.

Usually scotch/pepsi max.

1 x 750ml bottle of Shiraz (13.5% alc/vol) is 8 standard drinks.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 4:14am:

mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB

Cirrhosis of the liver.

1993Zebra wrote on May 29^th, 2013 at 3:15pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on May 26th, 2013 at 2:41am: miketrees wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 5:19am: I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal. bump often drinkers drink to mask their emotions. Which can more than not, often lead to a problem drinker.

Anyone doing this already has a problem, and is unable and/or unwilling to recognise it.

Normalisation of boozing is a real issue - when i saw the adults at a 9 yr olds birthday party openning the bubbly and beers at 10.30am it screamed 'wrong' on every level. I'd already quit all alcohol by then, but this image just reinforced how wrong we have got it here.

The only problem drinkers are those who disappear when it's their turn to shout.

We all know that excessive alcohol consumption may cause death. Can anyone estimate how many births it's responsible for?

Both of my ex-wives drove me to drink, for which I'm forever grateful.  8-)

Rider wrote on May 29^th, 2013 at 4:40pm:

1993Zebra wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:15pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on May 26th, 2013 at 2:41am: miketrees wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 5:19am: I think alcohol is a huge problem in Australia. We have been conned by the alcohol industry to accept alcohol misuse as "normal" I see so many people that can not function unless they have a supply on hand at sport, any social function , after work, just about anywhere. That is seen as normal, whereas I think that is abnormal. If you cant go out  on any social event and not have to worry about the logistics of how you will have alcohol on hand, that is abnormal. Like , fishing trips , camping, shooting,  sports events,kids picnics so many places where the use of alcohol is down right dangerous, yet so many see it as normal. bump often drinkers drink to mask their emotions. Which can more than not, often lead to a problem drinker. Anyone doing this already has a problem, and is unable and/or unwilling to recognise it. Normalisation of boozing is a real issue - when i saw the adults at a 9 yr olds birthday party openning the bubbly and beers at 10.30am it screamed 'wrong' on every level. I'd already quit all alcohol by then, but this image just reinforced how wrong we have got it here.

so just make sure that YOU do it "right".  can't expect everyone else to fall in line with you.

FriYAY wrote on May 29^th, 2013 at 3:59pm:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver.

Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster.

SOB

FriYAY wrote on May 29^th, 2013 at 3:58pm:

Mnemonic wrote on May 25th, 2013 at 1:14am: ... wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 9:11am: Erm...you have tried alcohol before, haven't you? Yes, nothing really special. It was vodka and had 1.5 standard drinks. I drink most nights of the week, 6-10 standard drinks a night. Usually scotch/pepsi max. 1 x 750ml bottle of Shiraz (13.5% alc/vol) is 8 standard drinks.

The Big Book, it might save your life and that of your children.

http://empirezine.com/spotlight/aa/aa-bigbk1.gif

http://aatimes.org.au/meetings/l/Mildura

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 4:52am:

FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:59pm: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster. SOB

What ever, i was just filling the "gap" for you.


You'll need to take up your claims with those that have lost livers or died of liver failure to to excessive alcohol consumption.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 7:43am:

FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:58pm: Mnemonic wrote on May 25th, 2013 at 1:14am: ... wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 9:11am: Erm...you have tried alcohol before, haven't you? Yes, nothing really special. It was vodka and had 1.5 standard drinks. I drink most nights of the week, 6-10 standard drinks a night. Usually scotch/pepsi max. 1 x 750ml bottle of Shiraz (13.5% alc/vol) is 8 standard drinks. The Big Book, it might save your life and that of your children. http://empirezine.com/spotlight/aa/aa-bigbk1.gif http://aatimes.org.au/meetings/l/Mildura

;D ;D

Thanks for that.

The child is safe and sound, but you made it sound really scary, kudos.

::)

FriYAY wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 10:12am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 4:52am: FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:59pm: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster. SOB What ever, i was just filling the "gap" for you. You'll need to take up your claims with those that have lost livers or died of liver failure to to excessive alcohol consumption.

Because of hep c

SOB

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 10:23am:

FriYAY wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:12am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 4:52am: FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:59pm: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster. SOB What ever, i was just filling the "gap" for you. You'll need to take up your claims with those that have lost livers or died of liver failure to to excessive alcohol consumption. Because of hep c SOB

I normally wouldn't bother replying to you.....but they are 2 different issues

Long-term alcoholism is the primary cause of cirrhosis in the United States.

Chronic liver infections, such as hepatitis B and particularly hepatitis C, are commonly linked to cirrhosis

As of 2003, cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis has emerged as a leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients; in Europe, about 30% of HIV-positive patients are coinfected with a hepatitis virus.

Not to mention brain damage....most concerning is that this is not exclusively for the long term abusers, but more worryingly in the youth (sub 25yr olds) whose brains are still developing.

A quick google will haul up enough clinical data to keep you awake till Monday.

SBS had a little doco on a few weeks ago as well (29.4.13), called 'Do I drink too much?' - may still be available online. Compact and interesting, and if you are a boozer, confronting.

FriYAY wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 10:45am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:23am: FriYAY wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:12am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 4:52am: FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:59pm: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster. SOB What ever, i was just filling the "gap" for you. You'll need to take up your claims with those that have lost livers or died of liver failure to to excessive alcohol consumption. Because of hep c SOB I normally wouldn't bother replying to you.....but they are 2 different issues Long-term alcoholism is the primary cause of cirrhosis in the United States. Chronic liver infections, such as hepatitis B and particularly hepatitis C, are commonly linked to cirrhosis As of 2003, cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis has emerged as a leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients; in Europe, about 30% of HIV-positive patients are coinfected with a hepatitis virus.

So you mostly agree then

Thing is its like the smoking propaganda really because drinking doesnt cause the cirrhosis -= it just makes it deadlier and faster.

SOB

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30^th, 2013 at 10:54am:

FriYAY wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:45am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:23am: FriYAY wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 10:12am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 30th, 2013 at 4:52am: FriYAY wrote on May 29th, 2013 at 3:59pm: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 24th, 2013 at 4:14am: mantra wrote on May 23rd, 2013 at 7:17pm: Alcoholism is a huge problem in Australia especially for our youth. It is available almost around the clock and clubs and pubs stay open until 5 or 6 am. We have become a nation of very heavy drinkers - probably on par or worse than the UK. In another 20 years, next to obesity, cirrhosis will be the big killer. Alcoholism and obesity are causes not diseases. Cirrhosis and ???? i think you meant but what is the ???? SOB Cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity doesnt cause cirrhosis of the liver. In fact the latest news is that alcohol doesnt either.  A virus or something called hepatitis c actually causes it and alcohol makes it get worse faster. SOB What ever, i was just filling the "gap" for you. You'll need to take up your claims with those that have lost livers or died of liver failure to to excessive alcohol consumption. Because of hep c SOB I normally wouldn't bother replying to you.....but they are 2 different issues Long-term alcoholism is the primary cause of cirrhosis in the United States. Chronic liver infections, such as hepatitis B and particularly hepatitis C, are commonly linked to cirrhosis As of 2003, cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis has emerged as a leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients; in Europe, about 30% of HIV-positive patients are coinfected with a hepatitis virus. So you mostly agree then Thing is its like the smoking propaganda really because drinking doesnt cause the cirrhosis -= it just makes it deadlier and faster. SOB

I agree with nothing you say.


Long-term alcoholism is the primary cause of cirrhosis in the United States

Back up your claim or STFU.