"It wasn’t until I stopped drinking that I realised Aotearoa is swimming in booze".

[crafters_corner]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv...i-expected

Interesting article about our drinking culture in NZ.

For more, watch Proof premieres at rnz.co.nz/proof and on TVNZ 1 tomorrow at 9:30pm.

I am sure that it was Guyon's wife who was the subject of another story of alcoholism a few years ago, where she talked about her life and how alcohol affected it.

[Olive]

You might he thinking of Corin Dann's wife Lotta Dann, who has written a couple of excellent books about her journey to sobriety.

[crafters_corner]

You might he thinking of Corin Dann's wife Lotta Dann, who has written a couple of excellent books about her journey to sobriety.

Oh yes, of course it was. Thanks Olive.

I've not read her books, but I did see their doco on her drinking.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I found it interesting when I gave up on buying wine for budget reasons and went alcohol free for a good few years, how many people seemed to take offence at my choice. I was actively encouraged to join them, almost as if I was out of step with the mainstream. I have always been a cheap drunk, two glasses is my limit any more and I feel very uncomfortable and the hangover is awful. Same with narcotics and opioids - legal ones, and even weed, though a little of that does help with pain and sleep. Overdo it and I become very disoriented and it is unpleasant.

So, not drinking isn't an issue for me, but I do like the ritual of a cool glass of cheap pinot gris to signal the end of the day. Perhaps for many of us, the ritual and the sociability of sharing a glass or two is the important thing.

If only it could stop at that fewer lives would be damaged.

[Lilith7]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv...i-expected

Interesting article about our drinking culture in NZ.

For more, watch Proof premieres at rnz.co.nz/proof and on TVNZ 1 tomorrow at 9:30pm.

I am sure that it was Guyon's wife who was the subject of another story of alcoholism a few years ago, where she talked about her life and how alcohol affected it.

That was brave of him; & he's right, our whole society is permeated by alcohol. Something to celebrate? Alcohol. Need to drown your sorrows? Alcohol. Bored? Alcohol.

Its used for virtually all social occasions, whether important milestones such as a wedding or just a party - its everywhere. I'll probably watch that, looks interesting.

[nzoomed]

Gee, he is looking rather old now since I've last seen him on the telly.
Obviously the drinking has taken its toll.

[Oldfellah]

Gee, he is looking rather old now since I've last seen him on the telly.
Obviously the drinking has taken its toll.

I think were all looking rather old since seeing him on the telly 

[Olive]

I found it interesting when I gave up on buying wine for budget reasons and went alcohol free for a good few years, how many people seemed to take offence at my choice. I was actively encouraged to join them, almost as if I was out of step with the mainstream. I have always been a cheap drunk, two glasses is my limit any more and I feel very uncomfortable and the hangover is awful. Same with narcotics and opioids - legal ones, and even weed, though a little of that does help with pain and sleep. Overdo it and I become very disoriented and it is unpleasant.

So, not drinking isn't an issue for me, but I do like the ritual of a cool glass of cheap pinot gris to signal the end of the day. Perhaps for many of us, the ritual and the sociability of sharing a glass or two is the important thing.

If only it could stop at that fewer lives would be damaged.

I stopped drinking alcohol for a couple of years and found that as long as I was holding a glass of liquid (usually water) nobody took much notice. It was much easier than I expected. When I decided to have the occasional glass of wine I found that I couldn't bear the smell of red or white wine any more, the only kind I liked was Champagne or Méthode Champenoise. So now, like you, I enjoy the ritual of marking the end of the day with a glass of wine, but any more than one and a half glasses I feel woozy and awful. It's all worked out very well.

[Lilith7]

I found it interesting when I gave up on buying wine for budget reasons and went alcohol free for a good few years, how many people seemed to take offence at my choice. I was actively encouraged to join them, almost as if I was out of step with the mainstream. I have always been a cheap drunk, two glasses is my limit any more and I feel very uncomfortable and the hangover is awful. Same with narcotics and opioids - legal ones, and even weed, though a little of that does help with pain and sleep. Overdo it and I become very disoriented and it is unpleasant.

So, not drinking isn't an issue for me, but I do like the ritual of a cool glass of cheap pinot gris to signal the end of the day. Perhaps for many of us, the ritual and the sociability of sharing a glass or two is the important thing.

If only it could stop at that fewer lives would be damaged.

I stopped drinking alcohol for a couple of years and found that as long as I was holding a glass of liquid (usually water) nobody took much notice.  It was much easier than I expected.  When I decided to have the occasional glass of wine I found that I couldn't bear the smell of red or white wine any more, the only kind I liked was Champagne or Méthode Champenoise.  So now, like you, I enjoy the ritual of marking the end of the day with a glass of wine, but any more than one and a half glasses I feel woozy and awful.  It's all worked out very well.

 I gave up decades ago, & had similar experiences with family, friends constantly offering a drink & generally not really getting that I gave up because I just didn't like drinking or its effects any more. 
I also now have a family member who gave up due to  addiction some years ago & its interesting to have someone who gets it but from a  different  viewpoint.

[crafters_corner]

For anyone who is interested, here are some links.

Alcoholics Anonymous
https://aa.org.nz/

Where to get help
https://www.alcohol.org.nz/help-advice/i...o-get-help

Ministry of Health - Help with alcohol and drug problems
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/s...g-problems

Support Services - Alcohol and drugs
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/suppo...hol-drugs/

Alcohol and drug Helpline
https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/helpline/

Mental Health Foundation/Alcohol
https://mentalhealth.org.nz/conditions/c...on/alcohol

CareNZ - Addiction Treatment & Recovery
https://www.carenz.co.nz/

NZPolice - Drugs and Alcohol-Getting help
https://www.carenz.co.nz/

[snacks]

I admit I was a pisshead in my day but even then I could never understand why people going to live events have to have alcohol. Do they need dutch courage to be seen in public?

[crafters_corner]

I admit I was a pisshead in my day but even then I could never understand why people going to live events have to have alcohol. Do they need dutch courage to be seen in public?

Amazing what we see in others, yet fail to see in ourselves.

The evils of booze.

[Lilith7]

Watching the programme last night, I was struck by what a slippery eel that alcohol industry bloke was. He has all the makings of a future politician, being utterly polished in his avoidance of questions while using a lot of words.
I was pleased that it showed how much liquor outlets deliberately poor areas; it might be an idea for govt to place limits on the number allowed - but can you imagine the screeching if that was even proposed!

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Interesting article -

https://capsulenz.com/be/flexible-drinki...linkin.bio

[Olive]

Watching the programme last night, I was struck by what a slippery eel that alcohol industry bloke was. He has all the makings of a future politician, being utterly polished in his avoidance of questions while using a lot of words.
I was pleased that it showed how much liquor outlets deliberately poor areas; it might be an idea for govt to place limits on the number allowed - but can you imagine the screeching if that was even proposed!

So slippery.   He obviously sold his soul long ago, with his cold eyes and over-controlled speech.

[Lilith7]

Interesting article -

https://capsulenz.com/be/flexible-drinki...linkin.bio

Interesting that things do seem to have changed slightly, & far more education on addiction would also help.

[crafters_corner]

Interesting article -

https://capsulenz.com/be/flexible-drinki...linkin.bio

Interesting that things do seem to have changed slightly, & far more education on addiction would also help.

Yep, addiction and mental health (not necessarily related, but probably are) are the two areas that need so much more money put into them. Too many people suffering out there, and no one seems to care enough.

It should all be starting in the schools, imo.

[hazelnut2]

After watching the doco I took special note of advertising and discovered that the Mitre 10 ad had bottles and/or glasses of wine in nearly every scene in one particular advertisment.  Old age retirement village advertisements had the patrons enjoying a drop as well.

But you know what?  Since the discovery of alcohol, many millennia ago, it's been used for social occasions.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Like mind altering drugs. Used for rituals for as long as man has known about them. But modern humanity has to control their use. Taxation replaces shamanic practice...

[TygerTung]

I only drink for the taste, and one you've had 2 or 3 drinks you don't really taste it any more, so any after that is a waste of time.

I brew my own beer occasionally as the nice beers are too expensive. But I hardly ever drink, so don't have to brew a batch very often.

In fact I last brewed in 2017 and still have a bit left!