NationStates Jolt Archive

One of the signs of alcoholism, they say. I disagree, and I'm not alone.
“What’d you get up to last night?”
“Got wicked drunk.”
“Yeah? Where’d you go?”
“I didn’t go anywhere. I drank at home.”
“You had a party and didn’t invite me? Who showed up?”
“No one. I got drunk by myself.”
“No shit? What’s wrong, man? You wanna talk about it?”

I do wanna talk about it. Not about what my friend wrongly assumed was the dark motivation that would drive me to drink alone, but the very act of drinking alone.

Somewhere along the line people got the idea that solitary boozing is a sure sign that the drinker is about to slip over the edge into something dark and sinister, whether it be suicide, skid row or a staff position at a drinking magazine.

And on the surface, it makes sense. Alcohol is the original social lubricant, after all, it makes any gathering loose and friendly, it has the unique and beatific ability to spin laughter and camaraderie from the dry straw that is the strained silence of the sober. Strangers become friends, friends become cliques and cliques become vast drinking scenes. It is the golden bond that connects you with most of your friends and acquaintances. It sure as hell isn’t a collective interest in stamp collecting that holds the gang together.

Drinking alone, on the other hand, is a much more pure and forthright form of imbibing, and I say that because it focuses entirely on the simple act of putting alcohol into your bloodstream. It tosses aside all the half-hearted pretensions about merely using alcohol as a social tool. It gets down to what drinking is all about: getting loaded, and by doing that, getting down to the inner you. The inner joy, the inner madness, the subconscious you, the real you.
http://www.drunkard.com/issues/03_03/03-03_zen_drinking_alone.htm

That's not to say that me and Mr. Warsteiner here are on the road to enlightenment together(especially since there's only one of him, and the corpse of his friend Labatt Ice), I just like beer and am alone now and then. But what of you, booze hounds of NSG?

No, drinking alone is the sign of a loner. Ussualy depressed, and often suicidal. Take it from me. *hic*

Cue George Thorogood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4).

"You know, when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."

Cue George Thorogood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4).

"You know, when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."

I like the sound of him already.

I drink when I'm working on papers or studying. It calms me, slows me down, and helps me to focus on what I'm doing. Given that when I'm working on papers or studying, I'm alone, I guess I drink alone. I usually switch to coffee if I get too tired or down, so as to boost my focus.

drinking alone is a SIGN.

its not proof.

and yes it is a sign. if you are drinking all by yourself with the aim of getting drunk, you may be an alcoholic.

In my case, its a sign of having no friends. If you drink with the aim of getting drunk...then maybe thats relevant. But a glass or two of wine at home alone to relax in the evening hardly maketh thou an alky.

Cue George Thorogood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4).

"You know, when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."
I don't get that video. If he prefers to drink alone, why is he singing in a bar? Unless he bought a bar out in the middle of the desert exclusively for the purpose of having a whole bar to himself, that would be pretty hardcore.

I don't get that video. If he prefers to drink alone, why is he singing in a bar? Unless he bought a bar out in the middle of the desert exclusively for the purpose of having a whole bar to himself, that would be pretty hardcore.

Man, I would love a bar all to myself.



Well, maybe with someone to clean it and make sure I don't swallow my own tongue at night.

I've also noticed a distinct difference between drinking alone in your apartment/house and drinking alone at a bar. One is acceptable, the other is not.

Sure, the guy who got plastered at the bar only went because the liquor store was closed, but hey! He was out of the house! He must be okay!

It's also acceptable for my roommate and me to get drunk together, even if we don't say a word to each other the entire time.

So long as someone is close enough to get you another beer, you appearently are not "alone".

Drinking alone to get drunk can be a sign of bigger issues. For me, it isn't. I'm perfectly happy right now, and have absolutly no problem curling up with a 40 or two and no one else.

In my case, its a sign of having no friends. If you drink with the aim of getting drunk...then maybe thats relevant. But a glass or two of wine at home alone to relax in the evening hardly maketh thou an alky.

It's with the following two glass' of scotch, the V&C, Vodka red bull and the six-pack that the problems start.

In my case, its a sign of having no friends. If you drink with the aim of getting drunk...then maybe thats relevant. But a glass or two of wine at home alone to relax in the evening hardly maketh thou an alky.
Alcoholism isn't a matter of how much you drink, but that you have a dependence upon . . .
-Insert the rest of the lecture here-

Sorry. Technically, I'm part of the alcohol/drug education program (as in, a coordinator/presenter/propaganda writer) at the University, and so I'm obligated to give lectures on that stuff. It is pretty fun, though. Both in the ironic sense, and in the sense that I've learned several cocktail recipes (like how to make a Long Island Iced Tea) through teaching that business.

an alcohol councillor i knew in the past suggested that a better test is to consider going without drinking booze for a month.

if the suggestion seems completely crazy to you, you probably have a problem.

Sometimes i drink alone, but my girlfriend is usually around, so even if I'm the only one drinking, I'm not alone. I don't think its a problem by itself.

an alcohol councillor i knew in the past suggested that a better test is to consider going without drinking booze for a month.

if the suggestion seems completely crazy to you, you probably have a problem.

pfft, it'll be less fun though

an alcohol councillor i knew in the past suggested that a better test is to consider going without drinking booze for a month.

if the suggestion seems completely crazy to you, you probably have a problem.

That strikes me as needing a great deal of honesty with oneself, something many addicts lack.

For example, it doesn't seem crazy to me, and I have no doubt that I could easily do it if I so wanted. I just don't want to.

That statement echos of the old "I can stop any time I want, I just don't want to", possibly the most classic phrase uttered by addicts in denial.

Sometimes I drink alone because it's the best of all options for company.

I enjoy going out with my friends to get a beer, but sometimes I need to think about things (usually how to word things in my Thesis) and I generally do that best when I'm alone and I have some alcohol.

I can proudly say that I do regularly drink alone - but I do it for the taste. Any day, any time, I'd rather have a beer than a cola, and a beer is better for the health as well.

As such, it's virtually always good wine and good beer (not what usually passes for it in walmart), with proper food or snack. Slowly, and reaching a very mind level only. I can do it all day and never get drunk to a noticeable degree.


Mostly I drink alone, when:

* Listening to good music, in near-dark, sitting in the sweet spot of the loudspeakers.
Alcohol in small quantities stimulates the pleasure mechanisms, which means I get more enjoyment. Plus, I add the pleasure of the taste of some nice new wine, beer, or more exotic light drink.

* Enjoying a particularly good movie, which is much better done in a home theater (CRT projectors FTW), and of course alone.
A possible side effect may be that I'd remember the movie less so I can rewatch it more times, but I'm not sure if it's real or just a theorization.

* Optionally, when having nothing better to do, no one around, and just watching something or playing a computer RPG (that includes NS).
In that case, the process of slow beverage and food consumption fills in the boredom that would set otherwise.


But I don't drink when I "have been too involved with the work today". I don't believe drinks would help. However, see the previous option: if I'm alone, I'll probably watch or play something for the relaxation.
I also never, never ever just sit and drink or just lie and drink. If I'm drinking, it's to accompany the primary activity and make it more enjoyable.


TBH I'd even say I find it more objectionable for myself to drink with people rather than to drink alone. Yeah, it's cool and all, they make friends easier when they're drunk, but I'd rather play my part with a semi-clear head. Not that it's possible to keep it.
Still, most times, you don't get the pleasure of taste in a large group of drinkers, just the alcohol bash. People don't understand if you try to actually enjoy your drink. And I'm not old enough to hang out with the ponce crowd.

Technically, I'm part of the alcohol/drug education program (as in, a coordinator/presenter/propaganda writer) at the University, and so I'm obligated to give lectures on that stuff. It is pretty fun, though. Both in the ironic sense, and in the sense that I've learned several cocktail recipes (like how to make a Long Island Iced Tea) through teaching that business.
Have you ever shown up wasted to one of those things? :p

I generally do everything alone, however, when I drink in public I embarass myself, and I'd rather embarrass me in front of myself than others.

Have you ever shown up wasted to one of those things? :p
That's where the irony comes from.

Actually, I only went drunk once, because I'd been sharing some wine with a friend that evening and I forgot I had to go talk to the freshmen at 10 PM (what sort of asshole scheduled these times? He's really a very nice guy, generally, but sometimes). So I turned up five minutes late, and with half a bottle of Merlot on my breath.
Still, no one seemed to notice, or they did notice I didn't notice their noticing because I was sightly buzzed.

That's where the irony comes from.

Actually, I only went drunk once, because I'd been sharing some wine with a friend that evening and I forgot I had to go talk to the freshmen at 10 PM (what sort of asshole scheduled these times? He's really a very nice guy, generally, but sometimes). So I turned up five minutes late, and with half a bottle of Merlot on my breath.
Still, no one seemed to notice, or they did notice I didn't notice their noticing because I was sightly buzzed.
"Don't do as I do, do as you're told?" :)

That's pretty funny. However, I have to admit, scheduling that at 22:00 for freshmen... well, in Germany, the students would show up drunk by that time of night!

After a long fucking day of class, sometimes a bro just needs a beer even if no one else wants one.

I don't get that video. If he prefers to drink alone, why is he singing in a bar? Unless he bought a bar out in the middle of the desert exclusively for the purpose of having a whole bar to himself, that would be pretty hardcore.

Because George Thorogood is the best bar singer ever, bar none. You can't have a Thorogood video without a bar, it's just a law of the universe.

I like drinking, but I understand the dangers of imbibing to excess. Ever seen an alcoholic's liver? They get bloated to twice the normal size and are packed with scar tissue and fatty deposits. That said, I don't see anything wrong with drinking to excess on (very) rare occasion, with or without friends present. Actually, if you're going to be hammered, it's much better to be running around without pants in your home than at the local pub. Besides, there will be no friends to take photos.

A kid died in my town this New Year's when he fell in the river after heavy drinking on the walk home. Had he just chosen to drink alone at home, he'd still be alive.

Cue George Thorogood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4).

"You know, when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."

Beat me to it...

...heads off to drink one, one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

Beat me to it...

...heads off to drink one, one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

Man, you are a wild thing.

I always preferred this one from George (excuse shit video)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mljQu-eL3pA

always brings back memories of my ex wife

After a long fucking day of class, sometimes a bro just needs a beer even if no one else wants one.
Yeah, or if the day has made me really angry, and I need something to make me a little less sensible to the fundamental unfairness, brutality and horror of the Universe.

I almost never drink.
I am no "straight edge" or "abstainer",
I simply do not like the taste of beer.
And I also do not like to hang around in bars.

I could enjoy a good white wine, or preferably, cider.
I might well drink those alone,
but not to any high degree.

To be honest,
the whole bar thing has always eluded me.
I simply do not get why people would choose to make fools of themselves and wake up with no memory of the previous evening and a splitting hangover.

Drinking alone is great! I can bring out the good whisky and I don't have to share!

drinking alone is fine so long as it doesn't interfere with your life.

Never been a fan of drinking alone...means less hijinks, or at least, less hijinks that can be blamed on others. :tongue:

I'm usually a social drinker but there certainly are times when I just want to be alone and relax with myself. Now if someone did that every night I could see a problem, but I certainly find it possible to enjoy in moderation, even if you are alone. There are just times when people need their space.

JS: What are you doing?
You burned all the food ,
the shade! The rum !

ES: Yes, the rum is gone.


JS: Why is the rum gone?


ES: One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into scoundrels.
Two, that signal is over a thousand feet high . The entire Royal Navy is looking for me.
Do you think there is the slightest chance they won't see?

JS: But why is the rum gone?

Alcoholism isn't a matter of how much you drink, but that you have a dependence upon . . .
-Insert the rest of the lecture here-

Sorry. Technically, I'm part of the alcohol/drug education program (as in, a coordinator/presenter/propaganda writer) at the University, and so I'm obligated to give lectures on that stuff. It is pretty fun, though. Both in the ironic sense, and in the sense that I've learned several cocktail recipes (like how to make a Long Island Iced Tea) through teaching that business.

It is true, though. Bingeing college students aren't all alcoholics--they're college students. My father, however, a recovering alcoholic for a great many years, was rarely intoxicated in my presence--I can remember him being actually drunk only a couple of times. However, he always needed to have alcohol in his bloodstream, even if it was a low level.

That said, the best test I've come across is still CAGE:

Have you (unsuccessfully) tried to cut back on your drinking?
Are others annoyed by your drinking or behavior while drinking?
Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
Do you often need an eyeopener or hangover cure?

Eh lately I've been drinking to dull pains....

Dammit now I need to drink again....

no, but I hang around with alcoholics so its kinda easy to find someone I guess (plus its a waste really)

I only dance alone! (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Y8zfU2SgA)

SNIP

Spirit party at Bouitazia's! (I do owe you a drink I guess:$)

I live alone and frequently have a beer with or after dinner. I'll occasionally get borderline drunk by myself, not because getting drunk is my goal, but because I have a pretty low tolerance for alcohol and a preference for craft beers, many of which are high in alcohol content and come only in large single bottles.

One of the signs of alcoholism, they say. I disagree, and I'm not alone.

http://www.drunkard.com/issues/03_03/03-03_zen_drinking_alone.htm

That's not to say that me and Mr. Warsteiner here are on the road to enlightenment together(especially since there's only one of him, and the corpse of his friend Labatt Ice), I just like beer and am alone now and then. But what of you, booze hounds of NSG?No. Same as most drug experiences and the like. You want to alter perception, you have to have something to do with it, and frankly, someone should mock you in the process or share the confusion and enlightenment. Usually, that is.

no, I come onto NS when I drink, thus I am no longer alone.

And thanks-a-fucking-lot. Because of this thread I need to go get myself a glass of wine now <_<. So much for productive cleaning tonight.

Its lovely boozing alone
Boozing alone
With a beautiful bottle of old JD

I simply do not get why people would choose to make fools of themselves and wake up with no memory of the previous evening and a splitting hangover.

It's fun. Though the last time I actualy had time missing or a headache when I woke up was after a long night with a bottle of 60% absinthe.

Does drinking alone mean that you're an alcoholic?

Well, no. It does, however, mean that there's a decent chance for you to be well on your way to become one.

What can I say? having watched the harmless 'Drinking Alone' turn my father into an alcoholic, I avoid the whole 'A Bottle and Me' deal like the plague. I've no interest in even risking, yet alone actually ending up like that.

I usually only drink alone if I'm having a meal alone, and whether you consider that drinking is debatable. I'm a bit continental; a glass of light table wine is a nice addition to a plate of good food. I enjoy it for the taste, not for the alcohol effect.

There is but one exception - essay crises. I'd sometimes have a small glass of port over the space of a late night essay or coding binge, just to keep the spirits up.

I usually only drink alone if I'm having a meal alone, and whether you consider that drinking is debatable. I'm a bit continental; a glass of light table wine is a nice addition to a plate of good food. I enjoy it for the taste, not for the alcohol effect.
That is drinking.

Light drinking though.

There's nothing wrong with being alone while drinking. Heavy drinking is bad, but it's equally bad whether alone or not. Seen these bums behind the trash containers near your walmart, drinking cheap booze all day long, and the next day, and the next, and all 365? Now look at them and tell me again that drinking alone is a sign of alcoholism and drinking with others isn't.

i find alcohol is only enjoyable with other people.

No, I don't drink alcohol alone because I find drinking more enjoyable when socializing.

Spirit party at Bouitazia's! (I do owe you a drink I guess:$)

Is absinthe okay?
Nah, It was no big deal.
But if you are ever in the neighborhood.. ,)

It's fun. Though the last time I actualy had time missing or a headache when I woke up was after a long night with a bottle of 60% absinthe.

Oh,well, absinthe.. That I can understand.
Mighty fine spirits that, and such a lovely color too.

No, I don't drink alcohol alone because I find drinking more enjoyable when socializing.

are you counting NS? :D

<.< *buys Nanatsu drinks all night to get her smashed* >.>

Is absinthe okay?

there was me starting to think you was a lightweight :tongue:

"And they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone!"

"And they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone!"

Just don't hit any houses on the way home.

I'm going to be drinking alone tonight, with friends. Always a good decision.

are you counting NS? :D

<.< *buys Nanatsu drinks all night to get her smashed* >.>

Nope, I didn't count NS. Should I?:tongue:

When I feel like drinking, I bloody drink. It doesnt matter if Im alone or with friends.

When I feel like drinking, I bloody drink. It doesnt matter if Im alone or with friends.

Quite fucking true. I find the abstemious approach many take to alcohol perpelexing; it seems based on the assumption that it is impossible to drink in moderation, and that, once imbibed, any amount of alcohol will inevitably lead you to a million kinds of debauchery.

Nope, I didn't count NS. Should I?:tongue:

well this is just a forum for smashed people to argue :wink:

When I feel like drinking, I bloody drink. It doesnt matter if Im alone or with friends.

you must have some interesting mornings

Quite fucking true. I find the abstemious approach many take to alcohol perpelexing; it seems based on the assumption that it is impossible to drink in moderation, and that, once imbibed, any amount of alcohol will inevitably lead you to a million kinds of debauchery.

its more to do with how on Earth you can afford to

there was me starting to think you was a lightweight :tongue:

I might very well be, since I drink so rarely. ,)

well this is just a forum for smashed people to argue :wink:

True. But I seriously do not drink when posting on NS. It's bad. LOL!:D

I might very well be, since I drink so rarely. ,)

well you do live in Sweden so I guess you only have 4 appendages you can really sell (though you could just whore yourself out (http://www.thelocal.se/15934/20081126/):tongue:)

though this may be a bad time to suggest a contest between Britain and Sweden >.>

True. But I seriously do not drink when posting on NS. It's bad. LOL!:D

have you ever seen the posts people do when they are sober?

have you ever seen the posts people do when they are sober?

Yes, I have. And some do make me want to drink.:tongue:

True. But I seriously do not drink when posting on NS. It's bad. LOL!:D

Why? Are you more inclined to post pics when posting drunk? Because "bad" might not be the word then.

Why? Are you more inclined to post pics when posting drunk? Because "bad" might not be the word then.

Nah. I did that, once, on another forum and all hell broke lose. So, meh.

Nah. I did that, once, on another forum and all hell broke lose. So, meh.

What forum, and what kind of pics?

What forum, and what kind of pics?

I have a right to remain silent.

I have a right to remain silent.

Unfortunately, you're in the United States of Galloism now. All rights suspended by popular vote of 1-0.

Yes, I have. And some do make me want to drink.:tongue:

I was thinking more about the posts ability to make you want to go out shooting rather than read another word

drinking can sooth the eyes like that

Nah. I did that, once, on another forum and all hell broke lose. So, meh.

*encourages Nanatsu to set fire to the forum*

take it your a bit of a dodgy drunk then :D

Unfortunately, you're in the United States of Galloism now. All rights suspended by popular vote of 1-0.

I pledge alligance to the flag of the Constitutional Monarchy of Spain, bucko!:wink:

I was thinking more about the posts ability to make you want to go out shooting rather than read another word

drinking can sooth the eyes like that

It makes me want to take a plane and travel to the places of the particular posters and fwap them in the head.

*encourages Nanatsu to set fire to the forum*

take it your a bit of a dodgy drunk then :D

<.<
Who are you? Freud? Curse thee!!
>.>

It makes me want to take a plane and travel to the places of the particular posters and fwap them in the head.

Well, don't pick on me. I'm elderly.

Well, don't pick on me. I'm elderly.

With the appetites of a youngster.

With the appetites of a youngster.

Some things don't change with age.

i find alcohol is only enjoyable with other people.

Sounds like your alcohol isn't working correctly. Have you tried drinking it?

I'm never alone. I drink with my cat :)

I have a right to remain silent.

not until Obama is president. until then water board.

Sounds like your alcohol isn't working correctly. Have you tried drinking it?

no it works okay, but one of my old friends got very drunk by himself and made a fool of himself (as in big time).
With a group however they can at least stop me from doing dangerous stuff, as opposed to silly things which they encourage an awful lot.

not until Obama is president. until then water board.

2 more days to go! I'll never be water boarded!!!:mad:

I just like beer and am alone now and then. But what of you, booze hounds of NSG?
Aye, a nice couple of whiskies later in the evening, or a quiet pint and a paper at me local, but I don't think I've ever gotten blootered all on my own.

But then, I rarely drink to get pissed, if at all. For me, being drunk is merely a side-effect of drinking, not the goal.

I have a right to remain silent.Would that silence have anything to do with certain accessories to what scant outfit there was on that occasion?

I'm never alone. I drink with my cat :)Good answer. That reminds me of an ex-roomie who always smoked out with the cat. Rose. She turned out schizo.

If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, then you probably do.

Perhaps you might want to try these questions (http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=71)and see how you compare?



Good luck!!

Good answer. That reminds me of an ex-roomie who always smoked out with the cat. Rose. She turned out schizo.

The cat or the roommate?

The cat or the roommate?

Schizocat...hmm that should definitely be a kids cartoon series. A hyper-intelligent talking cat who tries to be a superheroine while battling paranoid delusions, hallucinations, and voices telling her to commit acts of senseless bloody violence with her superpowers. And there could be a whole twist, where you don't really know for sure if any of it is really happening, or the cat really even has any superabilities, since it could all be a hallucination. A sure-fire ratings winner.

Drinking alone is often the only way to get through those long, horrible raids in WoW.

Naxxramas becomes a lot more interesting after ten shots of Malibu Rum.

Would that silence have anything to do with certain accessories to what scant outfit there was on that occasion?

Must you tell the world you understand me that well? *sulks*

One time I drank a 750ml bottle of vodka in an evening by myself. ...that didn't end well. Thank goodness it was at least good vodka.

One time I drank a 750ml bottle of vodka in an evening by myself. ...that didn't end well. Thank goodness it was at least good vodka.
When you're drinking 3/4s of a liter, the quality of the vodka sort of balances out.

One time I drank a 750ml bottle of vodka in an evening by myself. ...that didn't end well. Thank goodness it was at least good vodka.

You're an inspiration to us all.

When you're drinking 3/4s of a liter, the quality of the vodka sort of balances out.

Yeah well after drinking about half it all just tastes like water anyway.

The few times I've been drunk have been when I drank alone. I dunno I drink socially but rarely, mainly because I don't trust other people and I want to know I have full control of myself in public, besides it is more entertaining being the only sober one in a room of drunks.