Everywhere i look there are ads for alcohol! It’s crazy to think how normalized drinking is. People don’t consider it an issue if you’re a weekend binge drinker. Alcoholics must fit one description according to society. It’s a good thing in this society to drink a lot either on weekends or after work. And that is crazy to me. Because it’s still alcoholism and it’s still extremely unhealthy. I’m curious about everyone else’s take on this matter?
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Absolutely agree @Needhelp1128 I was a weekend binge drinker to blackout status. It eventually bled into other days of the week. Doesn’t matter what, when, or how much. If it’s affecting your life in any negative way, it’s a problem. Some people are uncomfortable with labels because of the stigma attached but it is what it is. We all don’t look like the stereotype of an alcoholic or addict but it’s our truth. As a wise woman said, if you don’t like my sobriety “They can shove it” 
Recovery is like this huge secret society. Because of our experience and hardships, we have certain life skills and can endure a lot of pain and come out of it. I can use it to help others. My words are to save your life, not spare your feelings.
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I agree. Look at the Hx of the United States. Anytime Prohibition has been tried, it has turned out badly. (Prohibition, Whiskey Rebellion of 1793).
Once something becomes a mandated, legal, societal norm, it seems to be just that; Normal.
It becomes hard for us to argue against it if the cultural mindset seems to be for it.
Also, it is insanely profitable. The aluminum can costs far more than the beer in it. Very inexpensive to make and “sold” to us every time we turn around.
In a staff meeting, we were discussing a break we had coming up. My boss said, “I imagine you’ll be having a few on vacation” or some such. I had been sober for two years.
I think there are also cultural and regional differences. I have always lived in The Bible Belt. My grandfather was an Independent Missionary Baptist preacher. Needless to say, he actively railed against alcohol from the pulpit. I have never seen my father drink, only saw my mother a very few times as a teen and then literally one wine cooler. (Yes, I was a teen during the Wine Cooler Boom of the Mid 80’s…“and we thank you for your support”.) None of those things stopped me in the slightest. I do believe that it is easier for me to say “I don’t drink anymore,” and it be accepted here, though.
Best,
Chandler
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One example of how normalized drinking is involves an ad for an ‘adult’ summer camp floating around facebook that a few of my friends are sharing. Part of it goes “…and day drinking is part of the fun”…I was like “WHAT.” It looked like fun until I realized all these little plastic cups of booze in all the shots and how sunburnt, dehydrated, and potentially dangerous situations like swimming, jumping on a blob, and zip-lining could be when you were downing vodka all day! Hahaha…
Once you get sober you really do become hyper aware of how alcohol literally slips into every part of our lives. Having a BBQ? Don’t forget the beer! Going on a cool vacation? Can’t forget to look-up all the hot bars! At dinner with your family? Here is our extensive drink menu! Advertising is an especially funny thing, especially when you consider that tiny "drink responsibly’ text at the bottom.
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I think in the USA alcohol is like where smoking was decades years ago, socially acceptable and cool. Now, no so much. Maybe alcohol will get to the same place someday, but I’m not waiting!
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100 percent agree!
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