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Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

nytimes.com

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Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#51

Post by whitepaint »

dataengineer56 wrote: post #46

I find it interesting how otherwise smart people rationalise drinking alcohol because "everyone else does it". My life was completely changed by Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Drinking (available in audio books, hardback, Kindle etc). The author basically takes every reason people give for drinking and logically destroys it, often proving that the exact opposite is true. There's also an interesting BBC documentary by A…

> Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Drinking

You mean "Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking"?

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#52

Post by dataengineer56 »

whitepaint wrote: post #51
dataengineer56 wrote: post #46

I find it interesting how otherwise smart people rationalise drinking alcohol because "everyone else does it". My life was completely changed by Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Drinking (available in audio books, hardback, Kindle etc). The author basically takes every reason people give for drinking and logically destroys it, often proving that the exact opposite is true. There's also an interesting BBC documentary by A…

> Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Drinking You mean "Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking"?

He wrote Easyway books on a bunch of subjects including smoking, drinking and weight gain.

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#53

Post by chockchocschoir »

dataengineer56 wrote: post #49
chockchocschoir wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. So I both drink and smoke because I enjoy it and life is too short to not do things you enjoy (applicable to all things in life), even if it shortens my life-span by some years give or take. What is the logical evidence proving that I actually don't enjoy it?

I would recommend you read the book, but why do you think you enjoy it? Do you enjoy the taste, do you think it helps you relax, do you think it's necessary to enjoy social situations?

It's hard to justify reading the book if I don't think I do want to stop smoking or drinking.

It's enjoyable on multiple levels, just like gaming, commenting on HN, reading interesting articles, going for bike rides, eating good food and many other things.

I understand for people who have negative consequences for something would like to stop (when they're addicted), but if the negative consequences are small compared to the enjoyability, what's the point of stopping something?

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#54

Post by dataengineer56 »

chockchocschoir wrote: post #53
dataengineer56 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would recommend you read the book, but why do you think you enjoy it? Do you enjoy the taste, do you think it helps you relax, do you think it's necessary to enjoy social situations?

It's hard to justify reading the book if I don't think I do want to stop smoking or drinking. It's enjoyable on multiple levels, just like gaming, commenting on HN, reading interesting articles, going for bike rides, eating good food and many other things. I understand for people who have negative consequences for something would like to stop (when they're addicted), but if the negative consequences are small compare…

I'm not going to try to persuade you (or anyone) from stopping drinking, I'm just saying that for most people it seems a bizarre oversight to not even consider it. You don't need to be so defensive.

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#55

Post by moritonal »

dazc wrote: post #31
Epiphany21 wrote: post #5

Recently (within the last two years) I had to help someone suffering with alcoholism/DTS and I was horrified by the abysmal outpatient support the medical system here provides. If he didn't have health insurance and a ride I would not have been able to convince him to go, and he could have died. It's very hard to argue with his contempt for hospitals and doctors when all they do is give you an overpriced potassium IV…

I have a friend in the UK, similar situation. After years of receiving no help I took it upon myself to figure out what was causing his self-sabotaging behaviour. I can't say I made any great discoveries other than figuring out his trigger points and devising strategies to avoid them. Obviously everyone is going to be different but my friend's issues stem from being lonely and isolated a lot of the time. Simply me be…

Could you expand on "I found that ensuring he always has a supply at home has helped with this too"?

I guess you mean that when they'd go out to a pub or bar they'd spend too much, which means that social pressure of embarrassment and bar-staff weren't effective controls. Did the extra money spent add to the pressure?

What I'm curious at is that makes it sound like they're somewhat controlled within their home, or just haven't got an easy source. If that's the case I wonder how small nudges around the home (putting alcohol in a tricky to reach cupboard or out-of-sight) would help.

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#56

Post by darrenf »

darthrupert wrote: post #36

I'm more and more convinced that people who don't have kids should have double the tax burden compared to parents, at least for the first 5-10 years. The stress is unimaginable, and then some people have the gall to complain when parents try to do it well. Appalling behaviour. I would not tolerate such complaints as a manager, but thankfully I have never met such attitude in my life.

The first 5-10 years of ... what?

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#57

Post by teknopaul »

teknopaul wrote: post #43
darthrupert wrote: post #36

I'm more and more convinced that people who don't have kids should have double the tax burden compared to parents, at least for the first 5-10 years. The stress is unimaginable, and then some people have the gall to complain when parents try to do it well. Appalling behaviour. I would not tolerate such complaints as a manager, but thankfully I have never met such attitude in my life.

Kidless workers do have some more tax burden. If you presume that taxes are wisely spent, and some of it on education, equal tax payments result in unequal benefit. Not complaining, Just explaining. I live in a country that has decent, tax funded, public education; I understand you may not. But as a kidless tax payer, I fully support decent public education paid for with my tax contributions. I don't think tax should…

Arguably, if you consider things like military spend to be a benefit equally shared by those living in the country being secured: a couple paying taxes with no kids compared to a couple with two kids, are paying double the tax burden already. Anything spent on education, is (arguably) above that.

Careful what you wish for! ;)

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#58

Post by chockchocschoir »

dataengineer56 wrote: post #54
chockchocschoir wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's hard to justify reading the book if I don't think I do want to stop smoking or drinking. It's enjoyable on multiple levels, just like gaming, commenting on HN, reading interesting articles, going for bike rides, eating good food and many other things. I understand for people who have negative consequences for something would like to stop (when they're addicted), but if the negative consequences are small compare…

I'm not going to try to persuade you (or anyone) from stopping drinking, I'm just saying that for most people it seems a bizarre oversight to not even consider it. You don't need to be so defensive.

I'm not defensive, I'm trying to explain my position (as a self-proclaimed "smart and rational" person) since you claimed there was no (logical) reason to have those vices.

You're making strong claims, and I'm just asking you to back those up without forcing people to buy a book that you say supports those claims. Otherwise there isn't much value in you making your claims here.

I'm sure (or rather, I hope) the book helps many who face addiction with those things and there isn't much to lose by helping more people finding the book if they are looking for help, so thanks for sharing it anyway.

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#59

Post by chrisjc »

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #15

Somewhat by chance, I quit alcohol around March 15, 2020 a few days before our first lockdown. I haven't had a drink since. It was just the right time for me, but I am VERY happy I was not still drinking during all those difficult times.

Sort of similar experience...

Not that I was heavy drinker in the first place, but something strange related to alcohol started to happened to me during lockdown/covid. The very thought or taste of alcohol makes me sick and if I do drink, I am out of commission for several days. And I talking about just a single beer or a neat whiskey.

Perhaps it's related to being in the same location 24/7? Perhaps I have less anxiety because I don't have to deal with people in person as much? Perhaps I'm subconsciously aware/appreciative of how fortunate/privileged I am given the situation? It's been rough, but I know others are struggling and seek solace and tranquility in their insobriety. Perhaps I just outgrew alcohol?

I used to like enjoying a beer after a long day at work or during recreation. Two years on, I simply don't miss it at all.

I hope that anyone dealing with this struggle and disease can find the strength, support and help they (and their families and friends) need to fight this demon.

Re: Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows

#60

Post by Broken_Hippo »

saiya-jin wrote: post #27
Epiphany21 wrote: post #5

Recently (within the last two years) I had to help someone suffering with alcoholism/DTS and I was horrified by the abysmal outpatient support the medical system here provides. If he didn't have health insurance and a ride I would not have been able to convince him to go, and he could have died. It's very hard to argue with his contempt for hospitals and doctors when all they do is give you an overpriced potassium IV…

I think the issue is mismatched expectations. General, ie university hospitals are normally not a place to treat addictions of any kind. You have rehab clinics, psychologists, AAs, church for those who need such authority and so on. These tend to be on their own, separate, not in hospital. Emergency services is set to treat physical damage to the body, not psychological issues of any kind.

Church is only good if someone is already a believer: We shouldn't be pushing religion as a solution to addiction, though. That is one of many issues with AA (Yes, I know it works for some people, but it fails so many)
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