Becoming an alcoholic

[goose eye]

born not made? sounds like the typeical va bullshit of the 70s to me tryin to denie compensation
an ptsd aint no such thang.
was yall drafted an how many tours yall do

so im tole

[goose eye]

an how you likein all the suport the american people is givein you these days

so im tole

[goose eye]

aint no one ask what you was doin. classification or cleareance. aint none of my business.
what was ask was they wavein flags when you came home.
you still think alcoholics cant be made?
you need to visit any va facility an listen.

so im tole

[goose eye]

spud i want to opoligize. aint got noexcuses.

bout that wood fire. ole boys 3rd cousins girlfriend step brother tole em bout that

so im tole

[madmonk]

@ goose eye: I have some uncles and cousins that went to the Land of Very Bad Things in the 60's and 70's. It was a damn @#%&?!! shame the way our guys were treated by the American public once they got home. Sounds like you had a particularly rough time over there. I was not there, but I've listened to the stories, and I've listened to the silence. Thank you for your service. It was a bad situation, I'm sure that I don't know the half of it. May you find rest. And thanks to all who have served, or are serving now, both from here and elsewhere.

[JethroBodine]

Alcoholics can definately be made. I never drank until I did my time in service. Tried a few beers before that, they always made me sick( found out later I was allergic to beer). By the end of my enlistment, I was drinking a fifth a day during the week and a gallon a weekend whenever I could. I've been over the edge. I was able to come back and temper my drinking to a few here and there, sometimes as much as a pint of 100 prf a night. Never what it was. Power comes from within.

[coctailgirl]

I would understand an alcoholic to distill, but a distiller becoming one? Nope, I don't think so. We drink a very little of what we've made (that is to say to taste). The magic of distilling is experiments. The questions that go "Hmm, how about I put this in that", "Let's try making a bottle of grape likker!" or "God damn it, what's that taste came from!" make home-distilling a craft and a hobby.

So folks, no hard feelings but as a daughter of an alcoholic man the only thing I can say is "Alcoholism is a mental condition which is called STUPIDITY"

[madmonk]

"Alcoholism is a mental condition which is called STUPIDITY"

Not sure I would go as far as to say it is always only stupidity. It is not a good thing, I agree 100%, but having been on the edge at one time myself, it can be a way a person chooses to cope with psychological pain. I reiterate, I am not condoning it, but I can understand the behavior; if carried to excess, the addiction moves from psychological to physical, and stupidity is not really the issue. Of course, the Fundamentalists think that if a person has ever taken even one drink, he's already an alcoholic, or he wouldn't have ever taken any at all. (I'm not saying that you're saying this, I'm just mentioning it for an example of some of the thinking that's out there).

[kenfyoozed]

Ive been watching this post and thought I would chime in. I dont think most who go through the process of making their own "hooch" will become an alcoholic. I would think you would be one to start with. I mean how long does it take for most to produce a drinkable product. I do know a few "functioning" alcoholics who would never wait for a drink, it would just take to long. Some say its a physical disease, or even a gene passed on by thier parents. I do believe its a leraned trait. If thats what you saw as you grew up then thats whats "normal" to you, so its ok. It is a mental crutch, for problems. I mean who thinks about all thier probelms while they have a good buzz? We all use some type of stress release. But someone becoming an alcoholic, in the words of the mythbuters---- possible, but not plausable!

[rubber duck]

I think a lot of folks use it as a crutch. I know I have.

For many of us coming to terms with the things we've been through, and the thing we've lived through can be overwhelming. For me the scars I carry are not only physical but but emotional and mental.

Have I abused alcohol yes I have. Have I hurt a lot of loved ones yes I'm guilty of that to. Is it a stupid thing to hurt the folks you care for because you can't deal with your demons? Yes it is and there is no excuse.

Distilling won't make you a alcoholic, and the presence of alcohol won't make you a alcoholic. Some are born and some are made, I can assure you some are made.

[Ayay]

Addictive personality. If yer addiction causes problems in yer life then it's a problem. For me it was dope an the 12/24 addiction was easier to conceal but it caused problems in my life. Quit dope an now alc is presentin itself. Not a problem yet cos I only indulge after 5pm. My homebrew is so fine an so tastey I really look forward an there's no punishment afterwards unless I'm pushin real hard...the new problem is watchin the clock an countin the days.

[Austin Nichols]

A lot of stuff said here, but not a lot is making sense.

An alcoholic is a person that cant go a day without a drink, a person that will go to any level to get that drink, a person who puts that drink before his friends and loved ones, a person that get's aggressive when that drink cant be had.

You wont find many alcoholics sitting around waiting for the wash to clear then spending hours stillin it, too much effort in that.

My opinion on alcaholism might be different to most, but I been one since a very young age, I love the stuff and enjoy getting pissed with my friends and family and they love my hooch.

If that is the label I'm given then so be it, it's better than being a crack head or pot smoker, and needles suck! so I'll just keep slurping some fine rum n UJSM with a cigarette as often as I want to and FTW!

Cheers.

[coctailgirl]

"Alcoholism is a mental condition which is called STUPIDITY"

Not sure I would go as far as to say it is always only stupidity. It is not a good thing, I agree 100%, but having been on the edge at one time myself, it can be a way a person chooses to cope with psychological pain. I reiterate, I am not condoning it, but I can understand the behavior; if carried to excess, the addiction moves from psychological to physical, and stupidity is not really the issue. Of course, the Fundamentalists think that if a person has ever taken even one drink, he's already an alcoholic, or he wouldn't have ever taken any at all. (I'm not saying that you're saying this, I'm just mentioning it for an example of some of the thinking that's out there).

I understand your point and I would have agreed with you if alcoholism only effected the alcoholic person. however in time it becomes a pain for everybody around the person. family, friends, collegues.. When I look back in the past the only thing I see is my broken family which reminds me alcholoism is stupid and that's that for me. Nothing is going to cover those horrible memories. I'm very glad for you you managed to fight it and returned from the edge. If a man doesn't want their children talk about them the way that I do they better quit and drink responsibly.

[LWTCS]

So many personal variables. Really hard to completely pin point the affects till after the fact.

[Usge]

Just to lighten things up....this ones for goose. I think it was Mark Twain told the story about ole boy who got real good and drunk on some good likker....snuck back to his own house, stole his own plow, and hid it out the woods. Next day when he was sober...he couldn't remember where he put it. Had to get drunk all over just to find it.

[Dnderhead]

as you say lighten things up.
I dont have a alcohol problem,,,,,,,,,,,,I make my own.

[hstuurman]

About 17 years ago I was a moderate drinker. Just drink 1 or 2 drinks in the weekends.
Then I started a new job (which wasn't realy as good as it seems), 4 months later I moved to a new home, and 6 months later got deforced after a 10 years relation.
After about 4 months I noticed I had to buy a bottle of booze every week, and that was only at home. Went to a pub 4 evenings a week. Shortly after that I fall in a depression
I also had my first experience with homedistillation (a video & a book), but my mind wasn't set on building a still.
Happy I found out I was on the wrong pad, stopped drinking for a few months (the first weeks I realy would have liked a drink), and discided to be a moderate drinker again.
By now I just drink in the weekends, and when I'm to tired I'm not.
Becoming an alcoholist, you can't see the edge, and the edge is a thin line to cross. I've been lucky, but I can imagine people do cross the line.
I still don't think homedistillation helps you to become an alocholist, because HD is an art, not a cheap way to make booze. (a plastic still is )

[kenfyoozed]

Glad to know you saw the edge. So many don't or won't. All things in moderation.

[ScottishBoy]

So folks, no hard feelings but as a daughter of an alcoholic man the only thing I can say is "Alcoholism is a mental condition which is called STUPIDITY"

Sorry coctailgirl, but I have to disagree. I have been treating people for many years in substance abuse and other trauma too horrid for the "natural wall hangings, tree hugger, exposed beams" psych crews. Addiction has two components and most fail to treat one or the other. I am NOT going to sit here and preach that you should substitute it for coffee, cigarettes and extreme human interaction in the form of those godawful 12 step programs. Nor will I say that it can all be taken care of with antibuse and a hug.
I have known many people ( treated many others) who fell into one type of addiction or another and these were mostly smart people who got turned around. The reasons for each person's addictions are as varied as the shades of grey in the twilght.

I'll give you a perfect example. I have a friend who designed the guidance systems for the drones that we use in Iraq. He was insanely proud of it because it was simply being used for recon tactics and monitoring. When they started to use them for delivery of weapons payloads he realized what he had done and took it to heart. He's fighting it now, but sometimes the fight is too much and he goes on a bender. He is not stupid and is a careing family man with two children and loves his wife deeply.

But sometimes the reality of life is very stark for some. They try to fight it every day and sometimes they need a little relief.
Sometimes a little becomes a lot.
Sometimes a lot becomes a habit.
Sometimes a habit becomes an addiction.

Just saying, there are a million ways to fuck up your life, just as there are a million whys to do it.
Most people dont realize how bloody close to the edge they are.
All they need is just a few ounces of pressure from the right direction.

[Usge]

as you say lighten things up.
I dont have a alcohol problem,,,,,,,,,,,,I make my own.

They say 2 or 3 drinks a day is good for ya....I just can't figure out which 2 or 3 it is.

True story: I was sitting at a table with some friends drinking some white dog. By the end of the night...we were all pretty toasty. I said..well...I should probably go. One of them asked me if I needed a lift and I replied "...nah...I think I can get up all by myself". They all got a kick out of it.

[rad14701]

Good points, ScottishBoy...

Exerpt from "The World I know" by Collective Soul

<SNIP>
. . .

So I walk up on high and I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself while the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know, it's the world I know

I drink myself of newfound pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why, I don't know why

So I walk up on high and I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself while the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know, it's the world I know

Yeah, I walk up on high and I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself while the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know, it's the world I know

[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/collectiv ... yrics.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow ]

One of my favorite drinking songs...

[batf]

the only drinking song i know goes something like this....
99 bottles of beer on the wall....

[JethroBodine]

batf, LAUGHED MY F-ING ASS OFF!!!!!!

[oynutter]

I had to give up drinking because I couldn't handle the hangovers, but now I distill, I don't get them anymore--- problem is-- hangovers saved me from addiction--- am I now doomed?

[Ayay]

I know of two kinds of hangover...
1. The store bought kind where sufferin is instant and severe.
2. The goodbrew goodstillin an goodcuttin kind that creeps up on you and slowly reminds you that enough is more'n plenty an the livver can only take so much. Some livvers will say that plenty is barely sufficient.

[Thorn_veritas]

See my problem is I dont know if im an alchoholic or not.... If I have some cold pepsi at home you can bet I will have 2 drinks when I get home. Never more on a work nite. I drink with the boys most weekends. I dont know wether or not I should enjoy drinking or not incase I fall too deep... I just dont know!

But this is what confuses me some times I go a week without a drink I just sorta forget and b4 ya know it im saying to myself shit its been a week. I dont get up in the morning craving a drink.

So all in all im unsure..... What do you guys think?

[rad14701]

Thorn_veritas, it sounds like you're dazed and confused...

If you can live without drinking then you're just a casual drinker... If every time you drink you get wasted then you are a chronic binge drinker... If the only fluids you ingest are alcoholic then you just might be one...

I get drunk when I want to, not when I need to... And I don't feel the least bit guilty when I drink enough to catch a good buzz... Never drink myself sick... I don't get mean, ornery, whiny, or stupid... I'm just as boring drunk as I am sober...

[Thorn_veritas]

Yeah I think im a casual drinker then. I dont get blind rotten very often. I dont only drink booze. I had juice this morning. but yeah now I feel better.

Im not an alchoholic. woot woot

Thank you

[LWTCS]

My best compositions are most accurately punctuated with a right proper buzz

[rad14701]

My best compositions are most accurately punctuated with a right proper buzz