Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

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Holiday Booze

buckstag
buckstag
A recent comment by one of our regulars got me thinking. His comment was that he sees no problem with stocking his house with plenty of alcohol for holiday guests and actually buys alcoholic beverages to give as presents. My concern is in wondering how well vetted his potential recipients are in regards to their own drinking issues. That is to say, are there some people you refuse to serve/give alcohol to during the holidays because you suspect they are actually addicted to alcohol at some level? Are you really sure you aren't nurturing or reinforcing someone else's addiction to alcohol if you serve or otherwise give them alcoholic beverages during the holidays?

I am curious to hear how the rest of you all feel about this subject. Since I stopped using all alcohol I don't offer any of my holiday (or otherwise) guests alcohol and they need to bring their own if they want it. And I will not buy alcoholic beverages to give as gifts.
Impermanence
Impermanence
My boss gives me a bottle of wine every Christmas. I in turn give it to my alcoholic brother in law. Pouring it down the drain is not going to stop him from drinking. He will go out and buy some wine anyway.
jeffneedshelp
jeffneedshelp
I have tons of alcohol at my home. I entertain people.

I have no desire to drink it.
texicallie
texicallie
I guess I should rethink my custom of giving baked goods and homemade toffee and fudge to friends, neighbors, co-workers and family as some of them may be pre or full-blown diabetic. I guess a gift card to Walmart will have to suffice....
1is2many
1is2many
I can't control anybody else. They are adults. I'm an alcoholic. I don't drink anymore but what everybody else does is their choice. Now they are going to have to bring it, I'm not going to provide, but most other 97-98 percent of the ppl in the world are not alcoholic and one or maybe two drinks is all they will have ALL week. Me I had 1-2 in the shower getting ready for the party!

1-2
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
I don't buy alcohol to give as gifts, but I will re-gift any that is given to me. I serve alcohol to my guests in my home, pretty much just wine and beer.
buckstag
buckstag
I don't know, it sure seems a bit hypocritical to be encouraging alcohol use when we all know how much of a problem it can be. After all, it is clearly recognized as the number one health and social problem substance in the world, even worse than heroine!
okiyoe1
okiyoe1
Buck once again I would suggest keeping the focus on yourself instead of What the rest of the world should do!! A well built
structure is build on a solid foundation to support to for years to come :))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cMkyiL-vRQ
buckstag
buckstag
Okiyoe,

The reason I bring this up is because I believe a big part of the problem with alcohol addiction is that much of our society condones and actually encourages alcohol use. I also believe that when people see alcohol for what it really is, they are less likely to want to ingest it. Isn't that a reasonable position to take? I am not trying to tell others how to act, I am only trying to point out what I see as the hypocrisy of people whose lives have been nearly destroyed by alcohol actually promoting and encouraging others to use it. Alcohol addiction is not just my problem, it is everyone's problem.
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
I don't think my serving wine with dinner is hypocritical. My beliefs on alcohol are nor shared by all of my guests. I do not require that my guests, family, and friends share my belief system.

I also think refined sugar is bad for people and don't eat it. I still have a sugar bowl on my counter. I serve chocolates and other sweets to my guests. I even made some really cute candy cane sleighs that I donated to a bake sale for charity.

If you think I am a hypocrite, then that's fine by me. I am comfortable with how I deal with alcohol in relation to myself and to others around me.
okiyoe1
okiyoe1
Still just a easy way to avoid yourself!! Become a Evangelical tee totolar advocate instead of being your own advocate .....Its textbook behavior emotionally
buckstag
buckstag
OK, it looks like I hit another "hot" button for some of you. I seriously do not mean to "preach" anything about alcohol use. But I am also not afraid to question some of the societal underpinnings that alcohol use rests on. All I am asking is to take a close look at those folks at your holiday gatherings and think a little more about how much you might be contributing to their alcohol addictions by offering to refill their drink or wine glasses. Or don't worry about it, the choice is yours!
okiyoe1
okiyoe1
IIts your Hot button Buck because you think just because a idea is on track anyone who has a different thought you project back at them and try and control the situation in yourself instead saying thats right what others do is their business and I cant play God in their life or shame them into agreeing with me . Alanon and therapy are good toe taggers if you wanna change If not thats fine too its your reality!!
Billy
okiyoe1
okiyoe1
of
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
I agree with Billy. You are the one with the "hot button" here.

You ask people's what they think and then imply that they are wrong because they think differently than you.

I'm good with how I treat my guests, thanks anyway. Last year I made it a new holiday policy to stop tying relatives to a high backed chair with Christmas lights and pouring spiked eggnog down their throats. Can't be too careful with cholesterol levels.

Seriously, I think we are all aware here of the dangers of overindulgence.
buckstag
buckstag
OK, I guess the use of the term "hot button" is a hot button for some. Sure is a sensitive group.

So EJG, you have no qualms about serving your guests alcohol at a holiday function, and that is fine. That was your answer to my question and I can accept it. No problem.

When I used the term hypocrite I was really expressing how I feel about myself in this situation and I should have made that clear.
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