Re: caught drink driving..
 

I still don't follow your comparison at all.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

It would appear that I am not as intelligent as I thought???????

I aint got a clue what you are on about, gays and statistics?? :confused:

Re: caught drink driving..
 

I'm often amused by peoples definition of 'alcoholic' by most measures I am.
I don't however consider myself to be one and in my job I see enough of them.

2yrs ago I had a hip replacement operation, filled in all the forms for the anaesthetist and everything went fine. The day after the operation the doctor came in and asked me if I'd like something for the withdrawal symptoms.

I honestly had no idea what he was talking about until he explained that the amount of units I had put down on my original form puts me into the 'dependency category'

Re: caught drink driving..
 

To register with our local doctor in the UK we had to fill in various forms including one on alcohol usage. There were about 10 questions and you rated yourself from 0 - 5 (5 being bad) so top score could be 50. We both scored about 10.

We both got a phone call from the practice alco advisor as they consider anything over 6 to be a problem. Frankly if you go to holy communion twice a week you would be pushing that.

I think such extreme precaution is counter productive. People won't take it seriously if it's squeezed to those limits.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

The problem is that most alcoholic or alchohol dependent people don't believe they have a problem, and as you say I don't consider myself one, a very common statement by alchohol dependent people.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

I wonder what the accepted definition of alcoholism is?

You have used 2 terms, alcoholic and alcohol dependant - are they the same?

Re: caught drink driving..
 

Yes they are, some people like to use the 'alcohol dependent' instead of the 'alcoholic term because they feel it has less social stigma. An alcoholic will never pass a breathalyser test, in fact they are more of a danger if their alcohol level drops to zero. Many of them appear quite normal with an alcohol level that would kill most people, levels in the blood of 300 - 400 mg.l are not unusual in the more severe cases.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

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.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

I think one sign is drinking in secret, hiding booze, thats what my uncle did.
He died because of drink, he stopped eating. He was a very proud man immaculate in appearance, smartly dressed all the time and never appeared to be drunk. I couldn't believe it when I found out.

I could happily have a drink every night but I don't, its not good for you. Weekends is when I have a drink or when I am on holiday.

I do have serious concerns about this when i finish work and move to Spain, its so easy to have a beer at lunch time, then another, then wine. Before you know it you are drinking all day every day. I saw this when I was on holiday in Torrevieja, there is lot of drunk expats there who I would say appeared like they had a drink problem.

I have mentioned this to my wife who I am sure will be keeping an eye on me, as usual!! lol

Re: caught drink driving..
 

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.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

There should be zero tolerance level for alcohol, when driving, since it affects everyone differently, there cannot be a set level. I read earlier this year that this will come about in a Spain, the sooner the better.
A purge on drivers leaving restaurants and bars , with bans and heavy fines for those over the level would help, not to mention swell the coffers.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

It won't swell the coffers. The income received from drink driving fines would in no circumstances exceed the income from taxation received from drinking on licensed premises.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

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.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

Thinking about it, you are using a different measure from HBG as well. There's no way 14% are in the state you suggest.

Re: caught drink driving..
 

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.