I’m actually in New Zealand @MrsOdh, so the marketing for alcohol certainly isn’t as incessant as it would be in the states because there is a lot of regulation surrounding where and when you can market booze.
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Nah. I more or less pity the people who equate alcohol with a good time, or being able to unwind.
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I hear what you’re saying and I absolutely agree. We definitely have an incredible variety. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about that. But take candy, for example. Instead of simply having the candy aisle at the grocery store, there is the candy aisle, and then there is the same candy at the check out lines, and then they might display it at an aisle end if it’s on sale or what not–same with soda, or chips, or what not. And I took marketing classes in college. I understand the psychology behind it. But unfortunately those marketing tactics make it more difficult for people to make healthier choices.
In my state, you can’t buy anything but beer or wine coolers in a grocery store and they have to be a very low percentage of alcohol, but in other states I’ve seen the same tactics with alcohol. Though maybe not in the check out lines. Someone tell me if you’ve seen that!
But anyway, you are absolutely correct that it is amazing that we have such a wide choice range and I’m thankful for it. I remember a friend of mine from Finland came to visit a little over ten years ago and she bought so many jars of peanut butter because she wanted to try all the brands we had.
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Yes alcohol is everywhere and yes it’s unfortunate that our country holds it high on a pedestal but that’s what big money can do. I see people drinking and it actually reinforces my sobriety. Im a better person without that shit, they can have it all. I had a similar feelings earlier in my sobriety, just gotta work through it and realise you can only control you.
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Totally agreed with you. Alcohol is lurking around every corner. It is so frustrating!!
Yes Europe and Scandinavia is a bit different. I couldn’t believe my eyes walking in at Walmart for the first time. Soda machines outside, and as you said a lot of candy everywhere.
We ended up buying a lot of different cereals because we wanted to try them all. Same with the candies and the fruit trays for kids, never seen anything like it. I might add that we where there right before Halloween 
Here the candy shelf is usually at the check out too. With extra sodas, the Ice cream and the pick and mix candy display.
We usually end up choosing the healthier options anyway out of habit I guess, but I would still be greatful to at least have the option. I get that I can’t have it in my small farmers village, but it would’ve been nice in the city at least.
Good thing is that we don’t have sugar taxes like Norway. The Norwegians goes to Sweden to buy sodas and Candies, and Swedes goes to Germany to buy alcohol because our alcohol taxes is crazy and our options is very limited.
Insane.
But once again, the comparison doesn’t really make it fair. And I’m lucky to stand with one foot on each side.
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What the heck. That’s awful. In my opinion they should just allow everything(except hallucogens of course). People should be allowed to have responsibility and choose what they want to eat themselves.
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That’s my opinion too
Yep. Drinking is everywhere! That is a fact of life. Drinking is in my living room every afternoon. Wifey. And when we use to go out to dinner wifey still ordering the cocktails and wine. And now if we get curbside at Chili’s they will bring you out a bottle of wine or beer. Unbelievable!!! I drink a lot of soda water. I mean a lot of soda water. I love the LaCroix flavored ones. No calories. It’s just as good as drinking lots of water every day which is really good for you. I use to put my sparkling water in a wine glass so it felt like I was having a drink with everyone. Now I don’t care. I just drink lots of sparkling in any vessel it comes in. Booze IS everywhere. Not too much you can do about it. Except “accept the things you cannot change”
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Happened today. I’m really good friends with 2 neighbors. We used to hang out together all of the time and still do, but I seem to get invited less now since I don’t drink. Only 1 of the 2 friends knows I quit. One of the houses on the block is for sale and the friend that lives next door has been scoping out possible buyers. The other friend made a comment today saying, “well… as long as they drink, they’ll fit in with us.”. I was kind of disappointed, but it’s true. Most of our interactions involve booze. The only difference is I don’t have an off switch and they do. So…long story short, yes. I’m annoyed.
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@Sayla it’s pretty sad to hear, but it’s true. I used to be the same in the fact that I thought people who didn’t drink were boring, but in reality I think I needed people to drink with me so they would tolerate my bullshit. I always hear people in recovery talk about how you ‘loose friends’ when you stop drinking, but in all honestly I’ve come to realise that they weren’t my friends in the first place. They were just my co-dependent acquaintances.
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Yeeeeeeees!! I did a post about this as well! It is a huge part of society…cant watch a movie without seeing alcohol. I’m almost two months sober now and I’m learning to accept it 
Here in the Netherlands drinking is a very normal part of society. Whenever my partner or I say we dont drink its immediately met with an awkward “oh…well…why?” type of reaction. And we just politely explain our addiction struggles and a few times it opens up a good conversation about alcohol use and how actually a lot of people feel they might be a bit too dependent on alcohol.
Just stay focused and stay proud of your recovery!
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