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With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

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Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#2

Post by mark_l_watson »

After enjoying alcohol most of our lives, my wife and I decided to stop drinking about a year and a half ago.

The big advantages are making better use of our evenings and also saving a ton of money. We eat out a lot more, and in probably better restaurants, because even one glass of wine each added significantly to the bill. When we drank two glasses of wine each, alcohol could be half our restaurant bill. We ask for separate checks when eating out with friends but no one seems to mind.

Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#4

Post by wry_discontent »

Disclaimer: didn't read. behind sign in wall.

I think the approach many people take to things that aren't good for you isn't a good one. I don't need to cut out every unhealthy thing from my life. I just want to know what's healthy and what isn't so I can make some rational choices.

I can make the decision to drink when I want to, even if it's bad for me. Most of my friends fall into 2 camps. 1) don't do anything that's bad for you, or 2) find some pseudo-healthy replacement for the thing you actually want.

Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#5

Post by wry_discontent »

tomjen3 wrote: post #3

We need a better way to get high - alcohol is a pretty shitty drug that we mostly use because it is legal, not because it is the best. Make pot available on the same terms and see alcohol usage decline.

Even when pot becomes legal, I don't think it's going to replace alcohol. They feel different, and I like different substances for different occasions.

Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#6

Post by dpark »

tomjen3 wrote: post #3

We need a better way to get high - alcohol is a pretty shitty drug that we mostly use because it is legal, not because it is the best. Make pot available on the same terms and see alcohol usage decline.

> Make pot available on the same terms and see alcohol usage decline.

Has alcohol use dropped in Washington or Colorado? I'm not sure very many people consider them interchangeable.

Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#7

Post by jconn »

tomjen3 wrote: post #3

We need a better way to get high - alcohol is a pretty shitty drug that we mostly use because it is legal, not because it is the best. Make pot available on the same terms and see alcohol usage decline.

I think this point could open the door to a more interesting conversation if we take pot out of the equation.

I do agree that we need to legalize pot, and I can see how for some people it would have this effect. In my experience, it's not so much that pot replaces the effects of alcohol (much different effects as mentioned by others), the real impact for me is just being in the habit of using one over the other to alter consciousness/relax.

Considering the wide range of molecules that are psychoactive, it is interesting to consider what 'drugs' could be seen as a better alternative to alcohol. Interested if anyone here has ideas on what less harmful substance(s) could step in to fill this role?

Re: With Moderate Drinking Under Fire, Alcohol Companies Go on Offensive

#10

Post by GoToRO »

tomjen3 wrote: post #3

We need a better way to get high - alcohol is a pretty shitty drug that we mostly use because it is legal, not because it is the best. Make pot available on the same terms and see alcohol usage decline.

You can get high by drinking... water. You can get as euphoric as drinking alcohol while being sober if you learn to enjoy your life (as opposed of chasing the "perfect life", where "perfect" is defined by other people, ads and unrealistic expectations).
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