News

I quit.

Work stress, financial stress, time stress, family stress… I didn’t used to drink much, but it sneaks up on you when it helps quiet the noise in your head about all the stresses. You find yourself looking forward to drinking even if technically you’re not an alcoholic.

Yeah, you know intellectually what the dangers are, but so much social life revolves around alcohol and media really doesn’t help by pushing the idea. Out and drinking, bbq at home and drinking, watching sports and drinking…etc.

I quit for a bit, tried to ease into light social drinking and hated looking over my shoulder all the time to see if an extra drink or three was going to sneak up on me. Hated that. Stopped being fun.

There's a South Park episode about the alcohol industry relying on ten percent of their buyers being alcoholics. That was me until a month ago. But I quit because it was now rampantly destroying my body in ways that severely affected me, even when sober. I'd keep drinking if I could.

Oh well, more money in my pocket. And more mental energy for nerd projects, which I'd long wanted to get back to anyway.

Drinking is expensive and overrated. I was sober for the majority of my life. Went on a 1 year drinking binge due to problems at home. It was fun but I paid a hefty price for it. Not worth it honestly. 2/10 wouldn’t do it again.

Not just health hazards, but legal hazards, too. Get a DUI, and you instantly becomes a pariah to everyone around you, including work, who may fire you. Then there are the costs, fines, possible prison, increased insurance, etc.

Going out and partying it up in a city that requires cars, is too much of a risk, and getting drunk at home is kind of pathetic.

Also, legal/ semi-legal weed.

You see, to do things that cost money you need money to spend.

To get money you can get a job, maybe in a bar or restaurant.

Places that hire people need people to spend money at them to then pay people.

No one can afford the high prices in bars and restaurants on a regular enough basis.

Not enough people go to bars and restaurants to have them hire you, and with less people going there is less reason to go.

Its cheaper to buy booze and drink at home.

Government and everyone wants more money, so the price of everything goes up (booze included).

You don't get paid enough for non essential purchases.

You go into debt, just to have a little joy.

The debts are not paid and the debt companies struggle (klama etc). They stop lending.

You have to cut spending, by not drinking (even the cheap swill at home) you save money and feel like ass less often.

You (and many others) stop drinking altogether. <---- We are here

At some point the K type recession becomes so clear and you understand that you are not on the good part of the K.

With the increase loneliness crisis 📈 and the decrease drinking at the local pub 📉

I think this headline is not a positive

I only drink with friends, but one friend doesn't drink, one is an alcoholic, and one also only drinks with friends. It's kinda hard to make it work even if we're able to meet up.

I just hope we don't slide into another Prohibition, honestly. Between people who don't drink because health, and the social conservatives who want a fundamentalist theocracy, we are squeezed.

For me, it's money - I finally have a good job AND a husband with a good job, and over time have accumulated a collection of booze to use for cocktails. And if we want to go out for a drink it won't bankrupt us. I practice moderation, one drink 3-4 times a week but never more than one, plus two months off each year, and really like that much drinking, feel good physically.

Wording is very careful to not offend the alcohol industry.

“Growing skepticism of alcohol’s benefits”

Why not “Growing awareness of alcohol’s harms”?

Seems about right. My partner doesn't drink alcohol, and I very seldomly drink alcohol. I petty much buy it if I'm going from cook with it, but beyond that, it's money I'd rather spend (or need to spend) elsewhere.

If I'd had to guess, I'd say it's a combo factor of people being poor, health consequences of partaking being more widely known, and adults choosing to socialize more online instead of going to bars.

"The findings of the poll, which was conducted in July, indicate that after years of many believing that moderate drinking was harmless — or even beneficial — worries about alcohol consumption are taking hold. According to Gallup's data, even those who consume alcohol are drinking less."

One of the many things I've cut down on because of unemployment. I used to socialize in bars more often.

Health concerns are legit, but have they seen the prices? A 6 pack of Bud Light is regularly 9 bucks. FOR BUD LIGHT. Forget about premium brands, those are 12 and up. Hell, small batch locals are up to 15+. Liquor hasn't shot up quite as much, but it has climbed.

Don't even get me started on how much bars/restaurants charge.

Weed is cheaper.