Everybody should try not drinking for 1 month a year... I did it for about 2 years (non-stop). It's pretty hard and it really feels poorly accepted to the point that people didn't ask me you out because I didn't drink (meaning I was not fun, and tbh I can imagine it's less fun for drunk people with a sober person).
Anyway, It was quite an eye opener, also, the times I see this behaviour in series and movies also became a shock: "OMG I have an emotionally hard time! Grab the bottle, start slammin', look at me being all depressed but still cool lookin' like a Marlboro cowboy!". It's so deep in our culture.
I recently stopped drinking (it's been ~4 months) because I drank >1 bottle of wine every day for the last 3 to 4 years and I was worried I'll end up being an alcoholic or damage my liver. I'll be honest: alcohol is an amazing drug. I know that it's very harmful but no other drug gives me the enjoyment and calmness alcohol gives. Anyway, I stopped drinking now. When I hang out with my friends and they're drunk I usually try to get high so I'm not sober. I don't like weed as much as getting drunk so I can't get very intoxicated, just a little buzz. But yeah, the social aspect of intoxication is huge! Since weed is legal where I live (MA) I use it as a "social lubricant" which I suppose is a safe way to use drugs in general. My problem with alcohol was that I liked it too much and basically spent most of my time outside of work drunk since it was fun. I don't think I was addicted because when I stopped drinking cold turkey, I didn't experience anything bad...
-Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
-There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
-A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.
-Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
-Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
-Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
-Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
-Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
-Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.
-Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a) A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect b) A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to criteria A and B of the criteria set for alcohol withdrawal) b) Alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
The presence of at least 2 of these symptoms indicates an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The severity of an AUD is graded mild, moderate, or severe:
Mild: The presence of 2 to 3 symptoms.
Moderate: The presence of 4 to 5 symptoms.
Severe: The presence of 6 or more symptoms.
Conclusion: If You Meet 2 of the 11 Criteria for AUD, Reach Out and Ask for Help
Not sure if this comment was intended for a larger audience, or just me? I mean as my original comment suggests, I haven't drunk any alcohol last ~4 months, and even before that I don't think I had any of these symptoms. Anyway, thanks for the heads up!
I've seen 1 person really losing her family to alcohol, become completely apathetic and I almost lost another. It's strange that it so normal, imagine someone invented it today "Look, what I have, yeah messes with DNA (it's a registered CMR in some countries), but man it's a nice social lubricant."
That said, I enjoy alcohol too and would be offended by regulation (but I'm also "offended" by most drugs being regulated).
Anyway, It was quite an eye opener, also, the times I see this behaviour in series and movies also became a shock: "OMG I have an emotionally hard time! Grab the bottle, start slammin', look at me being all depressed but still cool lookin' like a Marlboro cowboy!". It's so deep in our culture.