Need drinking advice (Adult Advice)

[carole]

Johanna I am not even going to waste one more minute of my time responding to you, I am not going to hijack this thread.

King2005 i have pmed you back and am here for you anytime,thank you for confiding in me,my main aim is to offer you support. Take care.

[king2005]

Thank you carole.

[carole]

Anytime sweetie.

[Scooby4]

I understand EXACTLY what your going through. My direct family have NEVER been drinkers. I can count how many beers my father has drank on one hand and I am in my 30's!!! However, my brother is a recovering alcoholic and so was my grandmother before she died. Alot of my relatives are or were alcoholics and I know it does run in families. Drinking is something that I am clearly cautious and aware of.
Here's been the clear cut test in my life on deciding on drinking. I got drunk! I mean DRUNK! When I was about 17 years old my older friends gave me some PGA (190 proof) and some other mixed drinks. I am 5'2" so it doesn't take much. I overdid it completely. I had "tunnel vision" and was completely numb. My friend who weighed over 200 pounds actually fell on me and I did NOT feel it! I was most likely suffering from alcohol poisoning at the time. It was the WORST thing and feeling I had ever had in my life!!!
My point is that when I sobered up, I HATED the experience!!! It was the worst thing I could ever imagining doing to myself. It was at that point that I knew that drinking alcohol was NOT for me and where to draw my limits. 2 wine coolers at a party or some "special punch" is enough for me. Once I start feeling a "buzz" I STOP!
I think honestly, this is where the difference between "social drinkers" and "alcholics" draw the line. A "social drinker" drinks NEVER alone, with friends, and ONLY to a nice "buzz". An alcoholic consistently drinks alone, buys drinks or insist their friends drank with them, and always wants the "pain" to go away. Their "drunk experience" was something they enjoyed and found fulfilling. If you get drunk, and like it, then I would seek counseling. If you get drunk, and realize it's just NOT your "thing" then you should be okay for a drink or two on occassion.
I don't like beer or much alcohol at all. I do go to a bar by myself locally alone. However, I do meet up with other single women in the "same boat" as I am. We don't drink much if at all and spend most of the time dancing and socializing. I may drank if someone is buying to be "social" but not to get drunk. I may "nurse" a beer (in my case Smirnoff Ice) all night with a glass of water. Drinking two drinks and keeping a glass of water available is enough for one of my "wilder" nights.
If you do drink, make sure you have some food on your stomach. Eat some crackers or breads to absorb the alcohol better. An empty stomach will get you drunker faster and irratate ulcers. DO NOT drink milk! Alcohol and milk do NOT mix as many people may tell you. Milk actually makes MORE acid in your stomach causing you to develop ulcers or bleeding ones. Rule of thumb: "Beer BEFORE liquor makes you SICKER" If your going to drink beer, then drink ONLY beer. If you drink wine keep to wine. If you drink liquor (shots) then do it before you start with the beer. You can do beer and shots together but you may not feel so well later. If you do drink too much, then go dance it off or get some fresh air and move around.
Drinking 2 glasses of wine a day is still okay. However, I would do it with a meal or before bedtime with a snack. Wine is good for you and does help your heart. I just wouldn't want to drink it without something in my stomach.
You can "drink" just don't think you need to rely on it or that it will be something to solve another issue. It's can be "fun" and "healthy" on some levels if you keep it there on those levels. You may want to "experiment" on your drinking level at first but try to do it with friends at home while watching a movie. Maybe have a "party" with your friends bringing different bottles of alcohol to see which one you would like. That way you can decide when you get to a bar what you may or may not like. It's much easier to have a "regular" drink lined up so you still can look cool and you know your limits on it.

[Cataholic]

Johanna I am not even going to waste one more minute of my time responding to you, I am not going to hijack this thread.

Oh, Okay, Carole!

(and, I think you meant, "other than this one last dig, I am not going to waste one more minute of my time"...)

[moosmom]

Okay, I was going to let this ride, but I've gotta say something...

This thread is not about you Cataholic, or anyone else that has responded. It's about King2005 and her wanting to learn how to drink. We have all shared our experiences with alcohol and what kind of impact it has had on our lives. King 2005 is a big girl. All we can do is be there for her. SHE'S the one who has a choice to drink or not to drink.

End of story.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

An emotive subject

[Cataholic]

I am so sick of this bullcrap. Donna, go back and read what people have written, they have shared THEIR personal experiences with alcohol. Some people have added their input about the effects it has had on their lives. Why in heck's name am I forbidden from doing the same? I will tell you why- because I have a DIFFERENT opinion than YOU, and, than CAROLE, on alcohol. Sorry, but, that doesn't make MY post any different.

If I had posted something like, "King, you should DRINK until you puke, it doesn't matter, it doesn't affect you, it won't make a single bit of difference" you, and probably others, would be all over it, correcting my 'errors', and telling me how irresponsible my post to King was/is. This isn't any different.

I think I posted two or three times, offering advice to King, and it wasn't until Carole decided to post one extremely LONG PERSONAL tirade against drinkers, making VERY irresponsible, and incorrect 'facts' about those that DO drink, did I comment on her post. AND, my post was a bit short, too.

King asked for advice, and I posted it- from my perspective. Until this becomes YOUR board (or, Carole's), I will post whatever in Heaven's name I feel like posting.

Johanna

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Not so long ago I asked for advice and support regarding my drinking problem and I got it in spades! For what its worth every post helped and gave me something to think about, whether I agreed with it or not. We can only share our personal experiences and hope that by doing so we can help someone else along the way

[moosmom]

Johanna,

King asked for advice, and I posted it- from my perspective. Until this becomes YOUR board (or, Carole's), I will post whatever in Heaven's name I feel like posting.

You don't have to get the attitude with me. I was simply stating a fact, that no matter WHAT kind of advice ANYONE here gives King2005, it is HER choice whether she chooses to drink or not.

I never said not to post your opinion. Geez!!!

[carole]

Johanna at first i had posted a somewhat lengthy reply to you, and have since deleted it, there is no way i am going to carry on this crap with you publicly, no-one needs to read this stuff, and i apologise to anyone who already read my post before i had the sense to delete it.

This is nothing but an embarrasment to me.

[Kfamr]

This is silly guys. Lets act our ages.


I think we all have posted something that in some way or another has helped Jess. No one has any more of right to post than anyone else.

There are pros and cons to drinking - or to anything else in life! Both sides need to be heard in order to make a personal decision. Johanna's posts have truth in it - so do Carole's!


Alcohol can be a VERY evil thing if not used responsibly. I have seen both sides, many, many times. I can't remember how many times growing up I've had to babysit adults in my life because they were unable to walk without falling or bumping into everything. Yet, at the same time, my parents have allowed me drinks or sips of drinks and yes, some of them are rather enjoyable! But there's no way in heck I'd drink myself drunk, or drink to GET drunk. That's the problem with a lot of people - they drink to get drunk, and that's all. Which leads to Johanna's statment... moderation!

Jess, just be careful, of course.

[carole]

Thank you Kay, the voice of reason, exactly why I have chosen not to continue with posts like that, i agree with what you wrote entirely and that was my intention to get across that moderation is the key and to be responsible about your drinking, i guess you just said it better than i did, which leaves no doubt in my mind that Jess will do that, she has a sensible head on her shoulders .

[PinkSunshine]

There are pros and cons to drinking - or to anything else in life!

Growing up around alcoholics my entire life, I'm honestly curious to see what the 'pros' to drinking would be.... Anyone care to elaborate?

[carole]

I can certainly understand why you would see no pros in drinking from your life experiences, however I grew up where alcohol was minimal, however i do remember my dad always having a few beers especially during hay season after a hot day baling the hay and having a sip now and then myself, I cannot say there are actual pros, as such, but if drinking is done responsibly there is no harm.,some people actually enjoy a drink or two and they say having red wine is good for the heart., I Guess that would be considered a Pro wouldn't it?