[Wilbur]

Hey, I saw this in the AHA newsletter. It's stuck behind a paywall, any chance this resource could be made available to everyone?

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrew-community-culture/guide-to-recognizing-problem-drinking/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_meduim=Email&utmCampaign=AHA

[Megary]

I apologize if posting this paywall content is forbidden or unwarranted.  Please delete if I broke the forum rules.

RECOGNIZING PROBLEM DRINKING
HomebrewersAssociation.org

YOU THINK SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

The American Addiction Centers note that the following are common physical and behavioral indicators that someone
may be engaging in problem drinking behavior:

PHYSICAL:
• Bloodshot eyes
• Alcohol on their breath
• Sleeping more than usual or appearing tired
• Unsteady gait

BEHAVIORAL:
• Frequently becoming angry, belligerent, or moody
for no apparent reason
• Appearing intoxicated
• Losing interest in relationships, activities,
or responsibilities
• Unable to refuse alcohol when offered to them
• Telling lies or acting secretive about alcohol use

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), an individual may have an Alcohol Use
Disorder (AUD) if they:
• Drink more, or longer, than they intended.
• Have tried more than once to cut back or quit drinking but couldn’t.
• Spend a lot of time drinking or feeling sick from drinking.
• Want a drink so badly that they can’t think of anything else.
• Find that drinking, or being sick from drinking, is interfering with other responsibilities.
• Continue to drink despite its negative impact on relationships with family or friends.
• Have given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to them in order to drink.
• Have gotten into dangerous situations while or after drinking that could result in injury to themself or others.
• Continue to drink despite it making them feel depressed or anxious, or adding to other health problems.
• Must drink far more than they used to in order to get the desired effect.
• Suffer withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart,
seizure, or hallucinations as the effects of alcohol wear off.

ONCE YOU’VE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE CONVERSATION?
It is important to understand that alcoholism is a disease that thrives on secrecy and the individual is likely to deny
that the problem exists. The following are tips to help you navigate this challenging conversation:
• Come from a place of genuine, non-judgmental concern.
• Offer empathy and understanding.
• Avoid using labels like “alcoholic.”
• Present resources.
• Provide options, don’t make demands.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?
• Local Community Mental Health Agencies
• Job and Family Services
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline: 1-800-662-HELP
• aaHomegroup.org offers 24/7 AA meetings via Zoom
• Local AA meetings: https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/
• NIAAA Treatment Navigator: https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/
    •    Check with your insurance provider to find out what services are covered under your plan

[narvin]

I don't have a drinking problem, I have a drinking solution.

[Bob357]

Hey, I saw this in the AHA newsletter. It's stuck behind a paywall, any chance this resource could be made available to everyone?

It is available to everyone. All you need to do is join the AHA. There are a lot more benefits as well. Zymurgy magazine and discounts at hundreds of brew pubs and homebrew shops. Lots of great recipes, including a slew of Medal winners and seminars from Homebrew Con that go back to 2012, just to mention a few.

[HopDen]

I drink because I have problems but my problems aren't caused from drinking!! Said in the voice of Foster Brooks LOL!!!

[Bob357]

My wife thinks I have a drinking problem but that's her problem.

I drink, I get drunk, I fall down, I get back up. No problem.

[tommymorris]

The description posted above sounds very serious. I am glad AHA has this resource.

[dmtaylor]

My drinking problem is that I don't drink enough!  Currently have about 10 cases of bottles in the cellar while average consumption is about 3 bottles per week, and nobody else helps me drink it.  And I want to brew a couple more batches.  You do the math.

[denny]

Ya know, it's easy to make fun of "problem drinking" until someone you love drinks themself to death. Then it stops being humorous.

[narvin]

Ya know, it's easy to make fun of "problem drinking" until someone you love drinks themself to death. Then it stops being humorous.

Nothing is funny if you live long enough to experience all the misery life has to offer.  Which is why I drink.

[ynotbrusum]

Indeed, a sobering topic.  I hope that the resources cited can provide insight and help to anyone finding themselves in a bad way due to the products of this hobby.  I have gone to very low ABV beers that I can enjoy a few of without being "over-served".  I try to be very mindful of that and my offerings rarely approach 5% ABV.  So far, my friends have gone along well with this approach and have developed/are developing palates that allow for ABV at the low end (or even below) the styles I make.

Cheers to self discipline in whatever form it takes.

[dmtaylor]

 

Sorry...

I do know a guy, drank himself to death about 15 years ago, leaving behind 3 teenagers.  His wife preceded him but her loss was to chain-smoking.  Also know another guy who got clean but had destroyed his liver.  He eventually got a liver transplant, but his body rejected it.  Gone a few months later.  Sad indeed.   

[BrewBama]

Cheers to self discipline in whatever form it takes.

Cheers!

Good article.

Heart wrenching that some close relatives can’t enjoy a good beer without going too far and ruining their lives. I hope and pray for their health.


*Disclaimer*: Any comment I add is simply the way I brew beer. There are certainly other ways that can be equally effective which other brewers may contribute. This is what I’ve found that works for me using my equipment and processes so I offer this for your consideration. YMMV

[majorvices]

I quit drinking for an entire 6 months over the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Being in the brewing industry the drinking starts to really sneak up on you. Anyway, it was a really good break and I drink far less now than I did before the break.

[fredthecat]

Sorry...

I do know a guy, drank himself to death about 15 years ago, leaving behind 3 teenagers.  His wife preceded him but her loss was to chain-smoking.  Also know another guy who got clean but had destroyed his liver.  He eventually got a liver transplant, but his body rejected it.  Gone a few months later.  Sad indeed.   

not doubting the veracity of it, but just wondering how this person drank, liquor?

i ended up drinking spirits a bit during the covid lockdowns, but have stopped entirely over the past few months, and dont anticipate going back to it. i just stick to beer nowadays.

i used to get almost yearly health checkups for work, and circa 2018 i got bloodwork that indicated my liverhealth was healthy. im kind of tempted to just check again with my doctor just to assess how i should go forward or if i should take a break.

i'll tell you, if theres one thing that inhibits drinking successfully its loading yourself up with a tight and tiring schedule, and being required to drive and use equipment early in the morning.

I have gone to very low ABV beers that I can enjoy a few of without being "over-served".  I try to be very mindful of that and my offerings rarely approach 5% ABV. 

i know lots will disagree, but this is just my personal take on the session trend: i tried it over the past year or so, making beers in the low to mid 4s, and overall i just ended up drinking the milder beer faster. it made me feel bloated and relatively unfulfilled with what i perceived as beers lacking the oomph that higher gravity can bring. it also had me ripping through batches too fast and having to brew more often, which simply took up more of my limited time.

im actually going the other way now and making beers that are challenging to consume of higher ABVs, going with 330mls instead of 500mls more often and i end up drinking them more slowly in small sips, and feel like im really enjoying a no-corners cut flavour experience. end up feeling less bloated/crappy from drinking 660mls of 8% beer than 1 litre plus of 4% beer.