Alcohol Consumption: Pros vs Cons

[floridaorange]

I have a unique history with alcohol, many of us do. Started with various malt beverages like St Ides and Zima (I know) back in the mid 90's while in highschool. Wasn't until after college that social drinking really picked up for me. I went to plenty of keg parties and witnessed plenty of embarrassing behavior, engaged in some as well. Fast forward to working in the finance/investing world and a fine single malt scotch was a relaxing reward after a long week. After I got married at 28 my social drinking really started to taper off up until today - 12 yrs later I don't really drink at all, accept for maybe a glass of wine or champagne during the holidays.

During the pandemic I have noticed more marketing of the glamorization of alcohol - particularly by celebrities like The Rock, Clooney, McConaughey etc.

Anyway, as I walk past the beer isle at the grocery store and opt for a kombucha — I do often wonder, am I missing anything?

What are the benefits of drinking and are they worth it?

[///MPhatic]

Trick question? Benefits of alcohol? Um, none?

[G MONEY]

Makes all the ladies look better at 3 AM? 😳🤓😵😵*💫

[dreamingat30fps]

Sorry, too drunk to understand wtf you're asking...

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

I have a unique history with alcohol most of us many do. Started with various malt beverages like St Ides and Zima (I know) back in the mid 90's while in highschool. Wasn't until after college that social drinking really picked up for me. I went to plenty of keg parties and witnessed plenty of embarrassing behavior, engaged in some as well. Fast forward to working in the finance/investing world and a fine single malt scotch was a relaxing reward after a long week. After I got married at 28 my social drinking really started to taper off up until today - 12 yrs later I don't really drink at all, accept for maybe a glass of wine or champagne during the holidays.

During the pandemic I have noticed more marketing of the glamorization of alcohol - particularly by celebrities like The Rock, Clooney, McConaughey etc.

Anyway, as I walk passed the beer isle at the grocery store and opt for a kombucha — I do often wonder, as I missing anything?

What are the benefits of drinking and are they worth it?

Looks like you've done well to let it taper off, had your fun and now are more mature.

Maybe it's a cultural thing but it's scary that this thing could become a srs vice turning ppl's lives upside-down, all these rowdy drunks causing trouble, drinking & driving, AA, etc. To me, it was never a thing at all, don't really like the taste or even the buzz that comes w it. You're not missing much.

[hubbahubba]

You guys aren't drinking the right stuff.

[Esteban]

Never been a huge drinker. Did enjoy it when I was younger. Have been drinking only on Friday nights recently. I'm currently having a high blood pressure issue so removing as much salt from my diet as possible and removing alcohol as well. If I can get my BP down to an acceptable level I may add a little alcohol, we'll see how it goes.

PS - l like a nice bottle of red zinfandel.

[ryo-]

I drank a lot during high school and college(parties mainly). I stopped entirely after college and while job hunting until I eventually landed a job (roughly 3 months), which I started again socially with my coworkers lol. It has been on and off for me ever since and right now it's extremely on and I am trying to turn it off... but it's been rough with the current circumstances. It's nothing that I get worried about as I am still a functional adult (28) but I know it's detrimental to my health. We'll see where it goes.
My go to is liquor (whiskey)

[Darth One]

Pros: it makes you black out and forget the pain

Cons: wait, what were we talking about?

[Germanauto]

Obv makes socialization more enjoyable and makes for great stories. But now in my late 20s I'm tapering off a bit. Been there done that with the bad experiences from binge drinking in social situations. Very lucky I haven't gotten in some sort of trouble to be honest.

Now I try to keep myself to a couple drinks tops. If there's a special occasion like reuniting with some people, Vegas, Miami, weddings etc. I'll still get hammered if not driving.

I have some friends who spend excessively on alcohol. They can't go on a date without dropping $80+ bucks. Drink at home while alone too. Not cool.

[ShopVac]

Makes the in-laws and parents more tolerable

[Tommy-G]

I didn't start drinking until 22-23 yrs old after a breakup and my friend got me into the club scene. Mostly Long Island Ice teas back then.
Met my wife and really got into drinking wine.
Unfortunately during the pandemic and sitting home on weekends I ended up drinking quite a bit more (mostly Vodka) and gaining weight which I will blame on the drinking....I would like to give it up all together b/c days like today I just feel blah. I don't really get drunk and I don't get hungover but just feel like doodie.

[oVeRdOsE.]

on the health , probably no pros.

But damn I had good time with friends. Make a lot of new friends, relationships, party , camping, you know, yolo, have good times.

People saying ''I don't need beer to have fun'', but 90% of time they need beer for US to find them fun. Anyway they always leave early , just before party kicks in, so makes their sentence invalid


Anyway, getting older, Ill admit, the ''fun '' side to be cocktail/drunk is more irrelevant, so all about dosing your stuff. Getting old means you can develop your taster and sip slowly.

[Alfisti]

I am lucky as i am not a man who slips into dependence or vices. I enjoy a drink a night, usually a finger of brown liquor of some description or more commonly, Italian Bitters.

I know one person who at one point was dropping 10 bottles of win a week, he seems to have beaten it but man, it was brutal.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I am lucky as i am not a man who slips into dependence or vices. I enjoy a drink a night, usually a finger of brown liquor of some description or more commonly, Italian Bitters.

I know one person who at one point was dropping 10 bottles of win a week, he seems to have beaten it but man, it was brutal.

this, but most people relate alcohol with dependence.

Also, according to the '' are you an alcoholic'' calculator or even with a doctor, it take almost nothing to be considered as dependant.

- do you need booze?
- 6 or more beer per week?

so those question , if yes , they tag you as alcoholic. (result will varies)

So i've answered almost yes to the 1st, because I said that is hard to say no in a party, I mean if I go out with friends and they all take beer, I wont refuse one.

And also I'm drinking between 8-10 coors light per week ( 3-4 friday, 3-4 saturday and 2 sunday) . Way under the max limit to be able to drive.

even if those a 4%, im tagged as a dependant.


oh well, if this is my issue, Ill live with it.

Doing sport, eating well, not much meat, no sugar, 6.0' and 155lbs.

[Alfisti]

155? Banned.

And Coors Light doesn't count, it's like Corona, you don't tally them when calculating consumption as it is just water.

[Darth One]

6 beers a week makes you an alcoholic??

They’re gonna have to come up with like a Gold and Platinum level alcoholic level for some of the people i know…

[infinitekidM2C]

I'm trying to reduce my consumption actually lol.

You're not missing what you're not missing. Better off imho

[DocL]

I used to binge drink in college and graduate school. It was the usual study hard, and party even harder. I did continue to drink socially until about 20 years ago, but I didn't get wrecked. I haven't gotten drunk in 20 years. I just don't like drinking anymore, and none of my friends are big drinkers either. Two years ago when COVID came along, I did want to learn about scotch and whiskey, so I watched a few youtube channels and bought a few bottles that I still have.

[Alfisti]

I like a drink but i don't want to get buzzed, you just feel like shit. I'm 45 ffs.

[CTinline-six]

I'll only have a drink once in a while, usually while on vacation, or relaxing with a woman.

There are some interesting videos out there on how it can negatively impact your immune system. When I wasn't in classes during high school and college I was working or riding dirt bikes. Not much time for alcohol, which probably ended up being better in the long run.

[3.0L]

There are many pros and cons to drinking alcohol. In no particular order:

1. Alcohol consumption reveals 3 basic types of behavior. The first one just sits there quietly, with a smile on his face, then disappears. The second one becomes an extrovert and wants everyone to join in his antics. The third one turns into a monster and wants to fight everyone within view.

2. Alcohol can be addictive for some folks.

3. Excessive alcohol consumption (see #2) can lead to serious health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver.


My maternal grandfather died of cirrhosis of the liver at age 56. His excessive drinking led to a life-time of problems including losing jobs, never owning a home or car; mean disposition while drunk, etc.