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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 4, 2022 16:17:58 GMT
I wanted to share an opinion article from yesterday's NYT. Women, do we need an intervention?I'll share some of the statistics quoted in the article: A study in JAMA Network Open in 2020 found that the days in which women drank excessively (defined as four or more drinks in a few hours) increased by 41 percent during lockdown. Another report, from RTI International for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said that mothers with children under 5 increased their drinking by more than 300 percent during the pandemic. From 2001 to 2013, there was a 58 percent increase in women’s heavy drinking and an 84 percent increase in alcohol-use disorder. One study reported that from 2006 to 2014, alcohol-related visits to the emergency room increased by 70 percent for women and 58 percent for men. Another found that from 2009 to 2015, the prevalence of women’s cirrhosis related to alcohol rose 50 percent, while men’s increased 30 percent. From 1999 to 2017, alcohol-related deaths among women rose by 85 percent. When I began thinking about sobriety, I knew alcohol could be bad for the liver, but was disturbed to learn that it also attacks the immune system and is connected with over 60 different diseases. ___________________________________________ The article also talks about marketing campaigns targeted at women, as well as a discussion of the "mommy wine" culture. It's worth reading. Anyway, I just thought some of these statistics were interesting and worthy of discussion. I have some women in my life who I am concerned about their drinking. I have seen an uptick in consumption over the past 10 years and in some cases, I've really seen it take off during the pandemic. And I am considering my own alcohol consumption. I'll admit that if I'm feeling good, I probably have 6 drinks a week. All wine and I like to have my wine while I'm cooking and then with my dinner. However, I am far less likely to drink when I'm not feeling well. And go months at a time when I'm going through a medication change without drinking at all. I'm also trying to put my drinking in perspective as I explore my faith lately. I'm unclear on whether there is room for drinking there. I just thought this might make for an interesting discussion. |
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Post by gar on Apr 4, 2022 16:24:29 GMT
I might have a single glass of wine with my dinner 2 or 3 times a week - or sometimes not at all during a week. I will occasionally have 3 drinks during an evening out but more likely 1 or 2 - or none 🤷🏻♀️ It depends.
I don’t know any who’s drinking concerns me.
Would it be right to say the US often has a different opinion about alcohol in general?
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 4, 2022 16:24:54 GMT
I put 1-2 but in reality I could go weeks/months without a single drink then decide to mix up something one evening and have 1-3 in a week. I tend to drink more on vacation (1-2 with dinner at most).
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,866 
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Post by tracylynn on Apr 4, 2022 16:26:27 GMT
For me, I'm just not a drinker. Thankfully I do not enjoy wine or beer. My favorite drinks are fruity hard alcohol drinks or margaritas. But I'm not an "alone" drinker, only with friends or on vacation with others. And as I get older, the worse I feel in the morning after drinking just 2-3 drinks.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,708
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Apr 4, 2022 16:27:32 GMT
I grew up in a home where there was abstinence of alcohol and tobacco.
When I moved out and got married, I tried a few cocktails, when we went out. Never have had a beer.
Later I had a career that worked closely with the wine industry in my area, which is now a New World Wine area (VQA).
I learned about many wines, the taste, the texture, the after-taste, how it was on my palate. I did enjoy drinking these many different wines and because of work, these were all top-of-the-line award winning wines.
Wine consumption continued at home and it "could" have been a problem, however, I was put on medication and was told not to have alcohol as this could disrupt how my medication would work.
I haven't had a drink in very many years and I feel great!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 4, 2022 16:29:31 GMT
Would it be right to say the US often has a different opinion about alcohol in general? I think that's hard to say. Probably? It appears, though, and the article makes the case for it, that attitudes about drinking are changing in the US. Women's attitudes. Now with that said, we still aren't to the same level as men and there has been an uptick in their drinking, as well. And then add the pandemic, and well, who knows? Are there any statistics that have come out from over there about lockdowns and their impact on alcohol consumption? |
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Apr 4, 2022 16:29:57 GMT
On average I will have a glass with supper 1-2 times a week and then maybe 2-3 during the weekend. There are weeks I will have more and weeks I will have less.
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,931
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Post by naby64 on Apr 4, 2022 16:30:41 GMT
I have history in my family with alcoholics, my dad and my maternal grandfather. I was always able to social drink and there was not problem. I am now married to an alcoholic. He has been in rehab twice and lost 2 jobs due to his drinking. I am a stubborn irish and have never removed alcohol from the house. My choice is not his choice. I know, I know there shouldn't be any in the house. But that is a counseling session for another day.
Anyway, I have noticed in myself that I have chosen to have more in the last few months. There is finally a depression diagnosis that I did not want to face and a lot of rebellion(again, my nature) to "show him", if he wants to hide his during the day, then mine is out front and in your face. I will have a couple of margaritas during the week with dinner or an Aeperol Spritz. And then I can turn around and not have a drink for a couple of weeks. I have started having those thoughts of if I am becoming or am an alcoholic. You would think with my history, I would stay far away from it. It's like playing with fire. How close can I get without getting burned.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,708
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Apr 4, 2022 16:32:21 GMT
Would it be right to say the US often has a different opinion about alcohol in general? Yes, I do think that the US has a different opinion about alcohol in general. When I have traveled to the US, I find it amazing to find a $2.00 bottle of wine at Trader Joe's. Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy and is available at Walmart & grocery stores. In Ontario, alcohol can only be purchased thru the LCBO and The Beer Store, breweries, distillers and wineries. There are many taxes and it is quite expensive. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Apr 4, 2022 16:33:32 GMT
I’m a social drinker. I have a drink maybe once a month at dinner out or at my monthly Bookclub.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Apr 4, 2022 16:36:27 GMT
I put 1-2 but in reality I could go weeks/months without a single drink then decide to mix up something one evening and have 1-3 in a week. I tend to drink more on vacation (1-2 with dinner at most). This is me too. I haven't had anything for weeks, but that night I had several. And I definitely drink more on vacation. I prefer fruity tasting drinks, or mix ins. |
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 4, 2022 16:44:00 GMT
Not all states allow you to purchase alcohol in grocery stores or pharmacies in the US.
WA state used to only allow purchases at state owned liquor stores and a few years ago closed those and allowed sales at grocery stores.
I grew up in CA and they have allowed grocery store sales as long as I can remember.
I selected 3-5 times in the poll. It’s closer to the 3 side though. Although we went wine tasting yesterday and that was enough wine (even sharing a tasting with dh) to last me for a few weeks. I’m maxed out.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 4, 2022 16:45:44 GMT
Would it be right to say the US often has a different opinion about alcohol in general? Yes, I do think that the US has a different opinion about alcohol in general. When I have traveled to the US, I find it amazing to find a $2.00 bottle of wine at Trader Joe's. Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy and is available at Walmart & grocery stores. In Ontario, alcohol can only be purchased thru the LCBO and The Beer Store, breweries, distillers and wineries. There are many taxes and it is quite expensive. I find that the attitude around drinking is much more liberal in Europe than in the US. Both age and quantity. There are always exceptions, but daily drinking is pretty common in many European countries as well as drinking teens, and far less prevalent in most of the US - or certainly less socially acceptable. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 4, 2022 16:47:20 GMT
Well I don't really have an option... I would say 1-3 a month. I don't drink much.
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Post by greendragonlady on Apr 4, 2022 16:47:34 GMT
I used to have a couple of drinks a night. I haven't had anything in months now to try to see if my muscle/joint/nerve pain went away (it didn't)
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,291
Location: Michigan
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Post by iluvpink on Apr 4, 2022 16:50:22 GMT
I voted 1-2.
Some weekends I drink none, some 1-2. Occasionally 3-4. It varies widely.
I almost never drink during the week unless we are on vacation or it's a holiday etc.
ETA: I lied. I do sometimes have a mimosa during the week whenever I get a pedicure. They are complimentary so yes, I do have one!
As for worrying about others, I do have a friend who I think might drink too often. I think it's rare she doesn't have at least 1-2 drinks a day after work and more on the weekends.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 6:21:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2022 16:51:57 GMT
I said 3-5 as that is the most per week. But it depends. Lots of weeks I have zero glasses. Sometimes 1. Sometimes I finish the bottle with is about 4 or 5 glasses. I don't get big bottles.
My tolerance for alcohol is small. 1 drink does it for me. I don't like feeling drunk or close to it. I like being cognitive and alert. So I never have 2 glasses of wine.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 4, 2022 16:51:58 GMT
"Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy"
-------------------------
I have never heard of getting alcohol in any pharmacy in the US... Can anyone validate this? I find that very strange.
All states are different. CO just in the last few years changed the law where you can buy liquor in grocery stores.
In some states that I have lived, no liquor on Sundays. Colorado has a law where you can't buy liquor on Christmas.
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teddyw
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,848
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Post by teddyw on Apr 4, 2022 16:53:10 GMT
Would it be right to say the US often has a different opinion about alcohol in general? Yes, I do think that the US has a different opinion about alcohol in general. When I have traveled to the US, I find it amazing to find a $2.00 bottle of wine at Trader Joe's. Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy and is available at Walmart & grocery stores. In Ontario, alcohol can only be purchased thru the LCBO and The Beer Store, breweries, distillers and wineries. There are many taxes and it is quite expensive. I hope you didn’t get that $2 TJs wine 😂 Unfortunately the article has a paywall Sunday liquor sales which include beer, wine and spirits are limited to after 10AM or 1PM depending on the product. This is township by township in my county. There have been votes on it individually. My state also has good old boy type laws as to what companies can sell their products here. I think there’s going to be a statewide levy in the fall regarding that. As far as pharmacies in Ohio I’ve seen a small section of beer and cheap wines at Walgreens |
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Post by Monica* on Apr 4, 2022 16:55:30 GMT
I have history in my family with alcoholics, my dad and my maternal grandfather. I was always able to social drink and there was not problem. I am now married to an alcoholic. He has been in rehab twice and lost 2 jobs due to his drinking. I am a stubborn irish and have never removed alcohol from the house. My choice is not his choice. I know, I know there shouldn't be any in the house. But that is a counseling session for another day. Anyway, I have noticed in myself that I have chosen to have more in the last few months. There is finally a depression diagnosis that I did not want to face and a lot of rebellion(again, my nature) to "show him", if he wants to hide his during the day, then mine is out front and in your face. I will have a couple of margaritas during the week with dinner or an Aeperol Spritz. And then I can turn around and not have a drink for a couple of weeks. I have started having those thoughts of if I am becoming or am an alcoholic. You would think with my history, I would stay far away from it. It's like playing with fire. How close can I get without getting burned. THanks for sharing these personal thoughts. I can relate. I have alcoholism on both sides of my family. I am wary of the flame too. I don't physically crave alcohol and never drink at home. I can go months without drinking and never miss it. However, I am introverted and in social situations find myself to sometimes go overboard. It scares me. I have set some ground rules for myself regarding what I can drink and how much. I know I am not like "regular" people because of my genes. I don't have that "turnoff button" that most people have -- for me, if two is good, six is better. So I have to be very careful. I have toyed with the idea of living an alcohol free life, but not sure yet if that is something I need or want to do. I think being the product of an alcoholic family makes it confusing as to what is okay and what is a problem. |
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 6:21:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2022 16:55:38 GMT
The last time I had an alcoholic drink was after my mum's funeral so almost three years ago now. I used to be a binge drinker at the weekends as part of the clubbing culture I was heavily in to but stopped after the hangovers and 'lost' nights became too much. I still had the odd drink here and there but nothing like before, I didn't get drunk and could make one drink last a very long time.
I've never been an at home drinker it was very much part of going out for me.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,129
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Apr 4, 2022 16:56:20 GMT
I'm all over the place but I am primarily a social/vacation drinker. So there are no poll options that apply to me. But overall, I drink less than I did pre-pandemic because we eat at home so much more than we used to and I hardly ever drink at home.
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kibblesandbits
Pearl Clutcher
At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
Posts: 3,305
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Post by kibblesandbits on Apr 4, 2022 16:56:40 GMT
I'll fess up and say that I probably drink way more than I ought to. I voted 6 - 8 per week, and I'm sure some weeks are more than that. We're fairly social, and are out most evenings. Even if we're in, it's 5:00 every single day  However, the past month I have been struggling with sinus and ear infections, and haven't felt like drinking at all. So, I guess I can go for stretches without drinking. ETA - the article is paywalled |
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 4, 2022 16:58:37 GMT
"Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy" ------------------------- I have never heard of getting alcohol in any pharmacy in the US... Can anyone validate this? I find that very strange. All states are different. CO just in the last few years changed the law where you can buy liquor in grocery stores. In some states that I have lived, no liquor on Sundays. Colorado has a law where you can't buy liquor on Christmas. Our local independent pharmacy is adding a liquor department and our nearby Rite Aid has a decent size liquor department as well. We can buy most types of alcohol in grocery stores in both Michigan and Ohio. |
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Post by Merge on Apr 4, 2022 16:59:28 GMT
"Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy" ------------------------- I have never heard of getting alcohol in any pharmacy in the US... Can anyone validate this? I find that very strange. All states are different. CO just in the last few years changed the law where you can buy liquor in grocery stores. In some states that I have lived, no liquor on Sundays. Colorado has a law where you can't buy liquor on Christmas. There's cheap wine and beer (but not liquor) available in the grocery section at Walgreen's and CVS in Texas. But not before 10 AM on Sunday.  To answer the OP - we've cut back to drinking only on weekends to help manage our weight, not because we were necessarily drinking too much. I can't remember the last time I was drunk. But we are wine and bourbon connoisseurs, so we do enjoy drinks on the weekends. Slowly, and always with food. Never drinking to get drunk or slamming drinks. |
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Post by littlemama on Apr 4, 2022 17:01:35 GMT
Typically none, sometimes 1.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Apr 4, 2022 17:03:02 GMT
"Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy" ------------------------- I have never heard of getting alcohol in any pharmacy in the US... Can anyone validate this? I find that very strange. All states are different. CO just in the last few years changed the law where you can buy liquor in grocery stores. In some states that I have lived, no liquor on Sundays. Colorado has a law where you can't buy liquor on Christmas. I took that pharmacy comment to mean CVS or Walgreens. |
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Post by littlemama on Apr 4, 2022 17:04:10 GMT
"Also in some states, you can get alcohol in a pharmacy" ------------------------- I have never heard of getting alcohol in any pharmacy in the US... Can anyone validate this? I find that very strange. All states are different. CO just in the last few years changed the law where you can buy liquor in grocery stores. In some states that I have lived, no liquor on Sundays. Colorado has a law where you can't buy liquor on Christmas. Yep, we can get beer and wine at most places and liquor at many of those same places (they are separate licenses). So, I can get anything (beer wine liquor) at the grocery store near my house and the party store across the street. Beer at the 7-11.I dont know if they sell wine. CVS sells at least beer and wine. |
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,787
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 4, 2022 17:07:34 GMT
I hardly ever drink, and if I do it is 1-2 drinks.
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 4, 2022 17:12:03 GMT
I enjoy a cocktail and I enjoy wine. Since my father has multiple substance use disorders, including alcohol, I do keep an eye on it. I checked 3-5 a week.
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