Originally Posted by HBG

Alcoholism among British pensioner expats in Spain is rife, you see it everywhere. It’s a combination of boredom, absolutely silly alcohol prices (a litre of Vodka for less than a fiver, and wine that is cheaper than water), and the daily hot sun which makes you thirsty.

And it’s acceptable to go into a bar at eight in the morning and have a coffee and brandy, although that is more a Spanish habit. The expats are vulnerable and succumb to temptation, hence we have AA meetings everywhere, in all different languages too.

All teaching exactly the same thing – you can’t control it so you must stop it. It seems to work for a hell of a lot of nice people.

Originally Posted by HBG

the daily hot sun which makes you thirsty.

Originally Posted by Rosemary

That sounds very much like giving these people an excuse for their own lack of self control. Surely the responsibility is 100% down to each and every individual. I cannot see how they are vulnerable and succomb to temptation as they are mature adults who should be in full control of their actions and that includes whether or not they drink to excess.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by stuboy

You are talking nonsense. I don't drink everyday nor do I drink either in my flat at the pub or at my house. I don't drink in the daytime ever. I don't drink in secret.

If I decide to go downstairs in the evening it will be anytime between 6 and 8pm and then I will have a drink with my customers. 6 or 7 pints usually each time. And if I'm in the mood a couple of Grey Goose Vodkas and Soda. Last orders in the pub are 12.30 so I don't consider that particularly excessive.

Trust me, I have been breathalysed more times than you've had hot dinners. When you live (mainly) in a pub as I do and the old bill see you pulling out of the car park at all times you are an easy target.

I have never failed a breathalyser yet.

Originally Posted by jimenato

You seem to be implying then that an alcoholic is one who is like a friend of mine in Spain who got himself into the position where he couldn't work as he had to have beer first thing in the morning just to get himself up. Twice I had to drive him to the doctor in Estepona for 9 am. - picking up cans of lager at the petrol station on the way - to start him on rehab meds. He ended up a severely depressed alcoholic so we put him on a plane to Scotland where he would feel at home.

I suspect that many, including Alcoholics Anonymous, have a far less severe definition of what an alcoholic is - including possibly me and, it would appear, stuboy.

Originally Posted by jimenato

One would like to think you are right but there has to be some reason why alcohol abuse is more rife amongst expats in Spain than in the UK if that is the case, and I suspect that it is.

Originally Posted by Neptuno

Sounds like a boast!
If you are an easy target pulling out of the pub car park, good! If it prevents someone being mown down by a drunken idiot, the more who are targeted the better.

If you don 't consider your drinking excessive, you've got a big problem.

Originally Posted by HBG

You may be surprised by some famous alcoholics, people unable to control their drinking.

Hi I'm a Famous Alcoholic list

Originally Posted by HBG

You may be surprised by some famous alcoholics, people unable to control their drinking.

Hi I'm a Famous Alcoholic list

Originally Posted by kimilseung

Not many 9 to 5ers in that list nor many surgeons. A few though who were not able to finish the set on stage. What about the likes of Churchill, someone with a drink issue and the lives of millions in his hands, that's the kind of list I'd like to see.

Originally Posted by Neptuno

Sounds like a boast!

If you don 't consider your drinking excessive, you've got a big problem.

Originally Posted by jonboy

I don't think you meant it that way but it made for a good read

Originally Posted by Neptuno

Sounds like a boast!
If you are an easy target pulling out of the pub car park, good! If it prevents someone being mown down by a drunken idiot, the more who are targeted the better.

If you don 't consider your drinking excessive, you've got a big problem.

Originally Posted by mikelincs

+1

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

I have seen 'needing a drink every day'.

I am going that way myself and can see how it happens. I don't drink and drive though.