Americans are drinking themselves to death at record rates

The Inspector

The Inspector

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Boston (USA) Massachusetts
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-americans-alcohol-deaths-20151222-story.html

This tally of alcohol-induced fatalities excludes deaths from drunk driving, other accidents, and homicides committed under the influence of alcohol. If those numbers were included the annual toll of deaths directly or indirectly caused by alcohol would be closer to 90,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alcohol is not harmless
 

Alcohol kills many more Americans each year than ISIS or any other radicalized Islamic group.
Alcohol causes child abuse, domestic battery, family splits, and a plethora of other damages to the family units.
If the far right were really concerned about preservation of Biblically-defined- marriage, they would do more to prevent alcoholism than same-sex unions.
If social service institutions would treat alcohol as a self-induced addiction rather than a disease, we might begin to win the battle instead of keeping the status quo.
We see professional athletes suspended and banished when they hit a spouse... rightfully so. Yet, we see those same institutions take billions in advertising dollars from beer companies whose product sends many innocents to the hospital each and every day.

About three months ago in our community a man drove off the road and hit a tree with his pickup truck. The accident killed his six-year old daughter seated beside him. His blood-alcohol-content was almost twice the legal limit. Within days it was announced that he was on parole from a neighboring state for vehicular manslaughter. Less than two years ago, while driving drunk he had killed a man and his wife. Now, not only does he have to live with the guild of killing innocents on the highway... he has to live with allowing alcohol to kill his own daughter.
 
I'm fine with those who drink in moderation, but, I agree with you both on this matter, this is a problem in many homes that does get swept under the carpet.
 

Alcohol, like most things, is OK when used in moderation. A glass of wine with a good meal, or a nip of whiskey at bedtime can be beneficial. A cold beer after working up a sweat on a hot day is great. However, far too many fall into the trap of "addiction". I know a couple of Seniors who have been "beer lovers" all their lives, and now their health is falling apart. One even confided that over the years, he figures he spent over $150,000 on bar tabs and 6 packs, and up until a couple of years ago, he kept a big trash back in the kitchen...filled with crushed beer cans. And then, 300+lbs, and sitting in front of the TV for hours with a beer in hand caught up with him. I went over to his house after being out of town for 3 or 4 days, and found him sprawled out on the floor covered in his own waste. He had suffered a stroke, and was virtually helpless. He managed to recover, but now instead of spending all his money on beer, he is having to schedule his life around doctor visits and taking numerous prescription drugs on schedule.
 
I have posted on here about being considered an alcoholic by the medical people, have been instituted, dried out physically and mentally, once active in AA, now 30 some years later still calling myself an alcoholic and avoiding drink of any kind.

Now about those newly OK drugs like Marijuana I will say this. Too new for enough stats to say much yet. But as more localities allow and more states allow, more personal and road incidents will be added to the books. If stats show the need more rules and guidelines will appear. Since many young folks are jumping in I expect to see some migrate from Marijuana to other more intense drugs. Such will eventually gather enough protests to make voluntary use harder to defend. Medical use will end up being the leading reason for continuing.
 
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Don M. said:
Alcohol, like most things, is OK when used in moderation. A glass of wine with a good meal, or a nip of whiskey at bedtime can be beneficial. A cold beer after working up a sweat on a hot day is great. However, far too many fall into the trap of "addiction". I know a couple of Seniors who have been "beer lovers" all their lives, and now their health is falling apart. One even confided that over the years, he figures he spent over $150,000 on bar tabs and 6 packs, and up until a couple of years ago, he kept a big trash back in the kitchen...filled with crushed beer cans. And then, 300+lbs, and sitting in front of the TV for hours with a beer in hand caught up with him. I went over to his house after being out of town for 3 or 4 days, and found him sprawled out on the floor covered in his own waste. He had suffered a stroke, and was virtually helpless. He managed to recover, but now instead of spending all his money on beer, he is having to schedule his life around doctor visits and taking numerous prescription drugs on schedule.
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It more what people do to others in the crossfire that is the bigger issue, the child abuse, domestic violence and drunk driving, what we do to ourselves, well that's a whole other problem most of us gravel with on all kinds of levels, but, when others die as a result, that's really where, I see a need for others who have no relation to have a dog in the fight.
 
AprilT said:
It more what people do to others in the crossfire that is the bigger issue, the child abuse, domestic violence and drunk driving, what we do to ourselves, well that's a whole other problem most of us gravel with on all kinds of levels, but, when others die as a result, that's really where, I see a need for others who have no relation to have a dog in the fight.
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For sure...If people want to kill themselves with booze and drugs, that is their privilege. However, far too often, they take innocent lives with them. I have Zero Tolerance for anyone who gets behind the wheel after getting drunk or stoned. What really gets me PO'd is news reports about one of these idiots killing someone on the highway...and has had several DUI convictions in the past....and gotten off with just a fine, or slap on the wrist.
 
Don M. said:
Alcohol, like most things, is OK when used in moderation. A glass of wine with a good meal, or a nip of whiskey at bedtime can be beneficial. A cold beer after working up a sweat on a hot day is great. However, far too many fall into the trap of "addiction". I know a couple of Seniors who have been "beer lovers" all their lives, and now their health is falling apart. One even confided that over the years, he figures he spent over $150,000 on bar tabs and 6 packs, and up until a couple of years ago, he kept a big trash back in the kitchen...filled with crushed beer cans. And then, 300+lbs, and sitting in front of the TV for hours with a beer in hand caught up with him. I went over to his house after being out of town for 3 or 4 days, and found him sprawled out on the floor covered in his own waste. He had suffered a stroke, and was virtually helpless. He managed to recover, but now instead of spending all his money on beer, he is having to schedule his life around doctor visits and taking numerous prescription drugs on schedule.
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This sad tale was almost identical to my sister's plight. Married to a vicious, hard-drinking truckdriver who came home daily well-lubricated, she assuaged the pain by drinking. Between that and cigarettes, she made it to age 65, by then unable to walk across a room for lack of air. The bastard who abused her all those years lived to 88! I did not attend his funeral. My nephew, Mike, the Senior Counselor at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, recounted experiences to me from his youth recently for the first time. He feared for his life at times during the combat at home while a child. imp
 
Don M. said:
For sure...If people want to kill themselves with booze and drugs, that is their privilege. However, far too often, they take innocent lives with them. I have Zero Tolerance for anyone who gets behind the wheel after getting drunk or stoned. What really gets me PO'd is news reports about one of these idiots killing someone on the highway...and has had several DUI convictions in the past....and gotten off with just a fine, or slap on the wrist.
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Alcohol and/or too much alcohol or any chemical will affect someone. Most know this. This is part of the arrogance of many an alcoholic-they can handle it. Yes there are chemical and psychological issues but there is also arrogance, selfishness and actually a lot of truth. Many drugs lower inhibitions or impulse control. If one is angry drunk they are angry at an issue and/or person that probably already bothers them. Not saying it makes someone run a stop and kill another driver but they already have an attitude to say the least. I've seen too many over the years. Know one now.The alcohol just amplifies or brings out a lot of traits they exhibited 3-4 decades ago.

With this study I think we're seeing better record keeping and/or analysis of existing statistics. I just saw another recent where middle class caucasian's mortality rates is one of the fastest growing in the country. Some of the factors included drug & alcohol abuse and suicides.

I think too many get hung up what the person's addiction may be rather than why. Yes those who use or do most things in moderation tend not to suffer the consequences of something like an alcoholic.
 
I know Butterfly. Here at home, a guy I know warned of dire straits when "baby Trudeau legalises them damned
reefers!" Apparently, society as we know it will vanish before a flood of reefer addicts bent on the destruction of civilised

Canadian life. Hmm, fairly certain that Mr. Cowlick and I differ on what constitutes the Canadian Dream. Frankly I have never met a violent pot addicted criminal, nor have I known of any deaths due to the devil weed. In my profession, I meet many afflicted with substance abuse--just not pot.
 
Butterfly said:
Good point, Phil! This is something I try to point out to those who are hysterical about legalization of MJ --not that it does any good.
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Sort of feels like Sisyphus rolling that joint uphill ...

Shalimar said:
"baby Trudeau legalises them damned reefers!"
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I'm sorry but this sounds like someone who was around when Al Capone was still in diapers ... I rarely hear the word "reefers" used in the MJ world anymore.
 
Good point made, even if you are totally baked...unless you are behind the wheel you are still less of a hazard than some people even after just a few drinks...legalize weed, Big Alcohol won't let us do prohibition again...

...HIC like I was sayin' though...yes alcohol can kill, hubby's uncle from cirrhosis and my Mom from alcohol and extreme dieting, her heart couldn't do it anymore. But for us recreational imbibers...
DO NOT go near ANY car, unless someone sober is driving
Do not pick up the phone, people can't smell it, but they know
Stay away from steep staircases
Don't be an embarrassment...know when it's time to go to bed
 
Well said, Fur.

I enjoyed a tipple or two myself in my younger days but was lucky enough to realize, after a few close calls, that I am too addictive a personality to "just have one" so I pretty much stopped cold turkey. I have no problem with those who imbibe with control and discretion.
 
SifuPhil said:
Well said, Fur.

I enjoyed a tipple or two myself in my younger days but was lucky enough to realize, after a few close calls, that I am too addictive a personality to "just have one" so I pretty much stopped cold turkey. I have no problem with those who imbibe with control and discretion.
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What is your position on those who imbibe with control, and discretion, but do not back away while still able? Like me? imp

EDIT: What defines an "addictive personality"? Often, I've thought I had NO personality, addictive or otherwise.
 
imp said:
What is your position on those who imbibe with control, and discretion, but do not back away while still able? Like me? imp
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If you cannot back away while still able then I would venture to say that you have neither control nor discretion.

EDIT: What defines an "addictive personality"? Often, I've thought I had NO personality, addictive or otherwise.
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Well, in my case it was the inability to exercise self-control and discipline. I realized in my sober moments that it went against my training and my usual personality and finally, one day when I woke up laying on the hood of my car in an unknown neighborhood, I knew I had passed the point of no return.
 
Here in Pennsylvania the legal limit to be able to drive a vehicle on a public street, road, etc. is under .08% BAC. However, other things we put into our bodies while drinking may raise (or lower) a person's BAC. For example: drugs or some foods. Weight is also a determining factor. Some people can have many drinks and not have the appearance of being under the influence while others who may only have one or two drinks and can't stand up or walk a straight line. Regardless, when stopped for a sobriety check and a person's BAC is .08% and above, he can be arrested for DUI. Here in PA the penalties for DUI are severe, not to mention very costly after paying fines and attorney's fees. And, of course, don't forget about the insurance rate going up.
 
Don M. said:
For sure...If people want to kill themselves with booze and drugs, that is their privilege. However, far too often, they take innocent lives with them. I have Zero Tolerance for anyone who gets behind the wheel after getting drunk or stoned. What really gets me PO'd is news reports about one of these idiots killing someone on the highway...and has had several DUI convictions in the past....and gotten off with just a fine, or slap on the wrist.
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I've seen that too often. It seems at least once a year locally a repeat offender winds up killing someone. And a lot of those dui programs are worthless. I think by law they can only "educate" the offender. They can be evaluated and/or recommended for rehab and counseling but after talking to people who went through one of those "programs" it's like jail, a school for criminals ie how to drive drunk and not get caught. Also if no criminal history I think a lot of local judges don't want to give an offender a serious record. Even more scary in many localities I think many police, judges and lawyers are soft on dui because they drink & drive themselves, sort of a dirty little secret thing.
 
I totally agree for drunk driving they have to throw the book at such people. That kind of thing...behind the wheel a drunk is almost more dangerous than a gun. There are levels of drunk too of course. I remember a fella telling me a story. One night he went to his favorite watering hole. His friends were there and he got himself blasted. He did manage to leave the bar and get back into his truck. What happened next was a blessing for him and anybody else on the road that night. He forgot his car keys in the bar...AND he was so blitzed he couldn't coordinate his thoughts well enough to open the truck door. Try as he might he could not get out of his vehicle. Adding insult to injury he had to leave the truck and walk home the next day. No keys and the bar didn't open again until evening.
 

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