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Drinking

JT

I have always found it bizarre that NT people drink for anything and everything.

You got a promotion, shall we go and drink to celebrate?

You're friend died, shall we go for a drink to commiserate?

You don't feel well, shall we...?

Given what we know about the effects of alcohol & smoking, on health, why would you invite someone to damage themself to celebrate or commiserate something?

Seems to me that NT people accept these things, even with all the facts, under some sort of unspoken cultural pretense that includes them in an invisible club where traditions matter more than logic?

  • i had a bit of trouble and stress at work myself and i found that strong alcohol like vodka relaxed made me forget and set my mind straight like a reset on the stress issues. its bad way to cope though yeah, a slippery slope if you let it continue.... lucky for me im super tight fisted in money and my groceries only cost £20 per week so vodka the cheapest being £10 even puts me off it and is a rare occasion that id bother justifying buying.

  • in reply to JT

    I think the reason why it is alcohol that is chosen by "some societies/cultures" is that, despite the undoubted downsides....if used responsibly, many things can be much more fun and/or easier when alcohol is present.

    Many human cultures and traditions forbid or warn of the dangers.....as they variously do with the panoply of this and other psychoactive drugs widely and variously accessible across the globe.  It's a relatively "average" proportion of folks on this planet that choose booze.

    Alcohol is a drug that chemically impacts our brains.  The other activities that you mentioned are just that - activities.  I think humans are drawn to drugs FOR certain activities and/or for soothing.  I think that drive is quite deeply embedded within our evolutionary journey.

    Just my opinions.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    I hear you, and to a certain extent, totally agree. I have myself abused it in the past.

    So I guess what I'm getting at, fits with lots of aspects of society's vices; why, when they damage us, do we ignore this and continue to use it?

    Also, I think my misunderstanding falls on the reasons we choose this particular past time to gather around in different notable celebrations? Why not celebrate by eating a fruit bowl, or having a colonic? Something that benefits us. ...perhaps not the latter!

    I know it isn't specific to the NT world, but I definitely think the widespread cultural adoption of drinking comes from NT traditions ..in my humble opinion..

  • Hi JT

    Forgive me, but your writing does not align with my understanding of the complexities (and overwhelming simplicity) of alcohol misuse, abuse nor simple social drinking.

    Alcohol is a drug like any other.  People use drugs for a very broad range of reasons.  We, as a tribe here, often discuss the use of many different drugs for different reasons.  Alcohol is an important component of how many people on these pages want (or need) to live their lives.

    This isn't an NT thing.  It's alcohol...like the primates who find and then enjoy the rotting fruit on the forest floor....many of us are drawn, or stumble upon it, in the same way.  Reasons are ALWAYS very complex and/or very profound.

    [Disambiguation....JT, I hope we know each other well enough for you to know that I do not mean to criticise you nor your expressed views....I merely see this matter differently - and perhaps importantly - have some not inconsiderable experience and knowledge of these matters.  This, here, isn't my only tribe JT.]