Thread: Alcoholism, the scourge of friendships

All too true. For people from my generation, the incorrigible baby boomers, we grew up in the pre-drug culture. Before the late '60s, when sex was dirty and air was clean, all of the movies had everyone smoking and drinking. More like guzzling. In the culture I grew up in everyone smoked cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. They smoked them everywhere. Watch a documentary on the JFK aftermath, the Watergate hearings, see members of congress smoking during the official proceedings. Anchor men on the news with an ashtray and cigarette smoke wisping through the air.

The most famous newsman of the '50s, Edward R. Murrow, perpetually had a cigarette in his hand. The movies of the '30s, '40s, '50s were populated with people with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Celebrity articles would document the exploits of the 'rat pack', Hemingway, John Wayne, all hard drinking chain smoking. So the culture of monkey see - monkey do, that we all are a part of, jumped on the bandwagon.

I grew up in beer & wine joints watching people show up day after day telling lies and nursing one draft beer after another until closing time. In those days if a man worked hard there was nothing at all wrong with his getting drunk as long as he was able to maintain his cool. Not get violent or falling down, stupid drunk.

In the '70s I was 'boomed out' doing ironwork in Minnesota. We'd go to those roadhouses around Virginia, Hibbing, Keewatin, Grand Rapids and what have you. Get drunk. If a cop stopped you they parked your car, took you to the jail to sleep it off, and brought you back to your car in the morning. Different world.

I come from a long line of drunks and addicts on my fathers side. Buried him after not having any contact in 15 yrs. :sigh: I have a lot I could say on the subject, but I wont get into it. Kind of like what Glen said above, there are no excuses. I rarely have more than one drink whether I am at home our somewhere else.

I am sorry for your pain Bongo. I will offer you a little free advice for what it's worth. Stay away and make it as clean of a break as possible.

there is a little more to it. Work on ourselves and not to carry the problems of others. Both sides of that is important in the message.

For the abuser of alcohol I think it is a wisdom and timing issue. Its all about being able to manage a substance that allows you to be glad for a time. Sure you can go on a run of a 1/2 pint a day. This brand and that. But what most people fail to do is take time off to reverse and neutralize.

Common sense will tell you that some things cannot be sustained on a daily basis. Thus alcohol enjoyment can be managed successfully by the person having wisdom and the rational human being. It is a great feeling to have a buzz. But it is an even better feeling to be able to control it, and to know you can control it.

The fact is that one MUST adopt a healthy lifestyle. And they must PLAN their alcohol intake moments. And they must understand the chemistry of alcohol...plus the spiritual component. Let me explain:

First off, someone who has been abusing alcohol for decades, and is a old alkie, it is probably too late for. For them the spiritual component and last ditch effort must be enacted. This to avoid the eternal penalty of not inheriting the kingdom of heaven, warned about in Christian scripture.

This basically is a desperate cry to help to GOD in their old age, and a complete forsaking of social drinking altogether. The source of such cries being the stark realization of what awaits them the moment they die if they refuse to comply with GODS orders concerning the chronic abuse of alcohol. One glass of wine with a meal under strict medical guidelines is all they can hope for. Which should be do able, if granted deliverance from GOD.

But there are options for the young novice drinker, to the middle aged social drinker in order to keep any negative effects from alcohol consumption at a minimum.

My advice for the young is to adopt a fitness lifestyle. One that involves daily trips to the gym, and a healthy eating lifestyle. For every college student who says "Im going to get wasted this weekend", there should be another who says, "I might party too, but im going to monitor my intake, get my buzz, not foolishly try to extend it past 12 am, and when I get back to my room I will spend the next hour trying to drink at least 80oz of bottled water...then I will promptly be in the gym all next week"

As these kids transition from stupidly young into their late 20s and mid 30's,. they should be at the point where they are regularly doing 5k races, half marathons, the occasional marathon....even sprint distance or half triathlons. Still using the same water "reversal & neutralization" post alcohol intake regimens, clean vitamin supplementation, especially vitamin B and other healthy living that will allow them to enjoy alcohol responsibly for a lifetime.

The best results will be due to protocols like the above being exercised responsibly early on in life. And this wisdom can be passed on to friends or associates they get to know as they age. Which brings me to the next group, the middle aged.

For the middle aged person, who did not have the luxury of having a early fitness lifestlyle, can still adopt one and seek to plan social drinking. Perhaps urged by a healthy friend who is not a abuser, the middle aged guy might say "OK ive had enough, I will go the next 12 months without drinking, I will monitor my health, I will go to the gym. I will get myself checked, and if I return to drinking it will be under strict discipline and self supervision.

Some people can quit cold turkey. Those people want to quit. But most will come back. It is those that come back that must be prepared to use responsibly.

So after 12 months the middle aged man may return to the state store. But it is different this time. He has felt what it is to be in control and to be healthy. He understands the importance of water intake and vitamin supplementation. He has the ability to get a healthy buzz, go for months without drinking, live healthy and exercise in the months of interim, and when an occasion arises control himself, thus incurring no damage associated with alcohol intake.

So upon him choosing to use alcohol, after the year or so of abstaining from drink and healthy living, he may get a more expensive top shelf drink. This drinking most likely done alone with his favorite music, while solemnly reflecting on the time spent sober. This reflection focusing on the knowledge gained, the progress made, and the understanding that there is still vitality in middle age and the fitness lifestyle can, indeed, offer a more than one could imagine.

He may also choose to get an obscure drink, such as an Absinthe and try to be reflective, refined and cultured in his assessment. He may eschew social drinking and the bar altogether as this is really the best course of action for the middle aged man. Truly a quick look at the bar will reveal social drinking for what it really is...... HAPLESS.

Though, if done, social drinking should be an activity limited to 3 occasions a year...the company Christmas party, New Years Eve or St. Patricks Day. And not with the lack of class or reckless abandon that the other consumers of alcohol will be reveling in.

And even then you do not get "drunk". You simply plan, well in advance, a responsible buzz that should carry you through the social event. You know when to stop, you know when to intake water, you know the BEAST and its nature. It is up to you to step up and slay it!

And, again, even on those occasions it is now done responsibly, boldly, and with blessing of GOD......not condemning himself, because he knows he is in control. While at the same time having a fear of GOD, having the full understanding of the eternal ramifications of true excess, regularly joining those in excess, and violence in drunkenness.


Which brings me to my next point....Spirits and the Mean Drunk. There is a spiritual component to alcohol, and alcohol intake. There is a supernatural component few are aware of. But the entire time it is staring the consumer in the face, as most Sate Stores readily advertise Wine and SPIRITS.

There is talk of demonic influences at play, and entry into the body though abuse of certain substances. There is speculation that The Kosher Laws, that the Messiah has since fulfilled, were based on the prevention of unclean spirits entering the bodies of the chosen people. These substances have since been sanctified for those who call themselves Christians.

However abuse of food, such as gluttony and overeating, or the abuse of drugs and alcohol drugs can quickly unsanctify any substance.

Especially alcohol.

The alcoholic must be made aware of the grave danger that are in, not only because of the physical effects of abuse, but because of the spiritual effects. A mean or violent drunk is in particular danger, as obscure religious passages designate such people as "wicked", and their regular display of a unreasonable and violent demeanor while under the influence of alcohol is the sign of a high likelihood of a sudden and unexpected demise. And a demise, presumably, prompted by GOD himself.....thus resulting in eternal punishment in the hereafter.


I know what alcohol can do. I have figured it out. You must be prepared to understand the nature of the substance and utilize information like what is listed above in order to keep oneself healthy if one enjoys the activity.

The problem is that nobody wants to figure it out. And many go decades, when these lessons and these wisdoms should have been available to them upon their very first drink! The above was written using my own experiments and personal research on the matter. And all information can be considered my personal opinion.

But feel free to share it with anyone you think is in danger of becoming an alcoholic. The point is that simple pre AND post alcohol intake steps and measures must be taken. And although most at the end of a nights drinking are reluctant to take them.......THEY STILL MUST BE TAKEN! It is a discipline.

And the earlier one learns this, the better.......though there is hope later on down the line.

Alcohol is meant to be used, not abused....period.

I'm sure I will get an argument from somebody about what I wrote. But I don't care. It is a serious subject for me. And I am glad someone actually brought it up to talk about. So I hope the conversation helps someone.

i had a girl friend/friend , who i loved dearly !! violence (not to me) and drugs/alcohol were a struggle in her life for years as well as her family ! i had spent many up 36hour nights in the past sitting with her through heroin withdraws , and watching her kids as she withdrew !! long story short after going through that is when we had our bond welded but even through that mess it was the alcohol that had torn us apart and made me make one of the hardest decisions of my life ! with out to much detail the trust was broke , the bond ripped apart and i had to walk away ! sometimes it is the best thing for all of us , there is only so much we can do to help others but it only prolongs things if they dont want to help themselves !!

I have worked with alcoholics and drug addicts for going on 14 years now. All I can say is that it is real and real ugly. For the person and those who care about them. Thank you OP for this thread.

Am very Familiar with Alcohol addictions,have been an alcohlic for 50 yrs,was claean and sober for 7 yrs.
Lost my business two yrs ago,started drinking again to kill the pain,it only got worse.
One drink here, one drink there,you cannot stop,is like being a little bit pregnant.
Tommorow I will quit drinking again,I have prayed to god all day to please help me,he always comes back with the same answere.
I will help you.if you help yourself.

Good luck and prayers to you Pixel. I know it's a tough fight but you know you can win it.

You "Can" do it Pixel.
We are all pulling for you.

If you're a Vet and want to quit chemicals, drop me a PM. I have some really good info for you that will help you succeed. If you want to.