View Full Version : Do We Have A Drink Problem
Travelling home last week around midnight through Thurso I saw the customers heading out of the pubs towards Skinandi's and I presume a similar sight was to beheld in Wick.
I wasn't driving as I suspected I was over the limit.
I did not see any trouble and indeed chatted through the window to a few wobbly people. Do we get the sights one often sees on TV up here in Caithness... people passing out, throwing up, urinating etc... or are we a different bunch...
The question is "Do We Have A Drink Problem In Caithness"
Angel
There is a drink problem in Caithness; ask any police officer, paramedic or anyone driving past the nightclubs when the patrons are all spilling out on the street, puking etc., in the alleyways, standing or walking in the middle of the road, shouting, broken bottles etc., etc.
Wherever there's alcohol there's a problem. Sometimes the problems are hidden. Lots of people, especially women, drink in secret. Most problem drinkers will affect at least another 6 people who are close to them.
Binge drinkings different. People drink to get drunk. Young people are especially vulnerable. Iv'e walked through Thurso late at night and felt quite safe but the truth is it's just pure luck not to meet someone with a belly full of booze and a chip on their shoulder. It happens in Thurso every week. Someone or another gets assaulted every night at the weekend. Booze is the culprit.
That being said. the majority of people will enjoy a night out with a few drinks. I dunno what the answer is but i suspect the solution lies a lot deeper in our societies than has been tackled up till now.
I used to think (many, many years ago) it was only well off people that could afford to have a drink let alone a problem, then I grew up! Alcohol ruins families, ruins formerly decent people and many folks just do not know the heartache it causes.
It's a case of "everyone does it" which is very untrue. The problem is that it is much more socially acceptable now for people to drink copious amounts of what is, in fact, a poison to the mind and body and colours their judgement and take on life. It's cool.......:confused
Do we need a drink to enjoy ourselves at hogmanay on the street?
Kevin Milkins
02-Oct-08, 23:36
I have a drink problem tonight.
I have run out of coke to go in my Bicardi:confused
Do we need a drink to enjoy ourselves at hogmanay on the street?
To be honest I think it's ok for people to have a few drinks. It helps to lubricate an often rusted soul.
To be honest I think it's ok for people to have a few drinks. It helps to lubricate an often rusted soul.
What if the soul has been destroyed Gleeber?[lol]
2little2late
03-Oct-08, 00:01
I don't have a drink problem.
I go out, get drunk, fall down. No problem!
I don't have a drink problem.
I go out, get drunk, fall down. No problem!
Ah, but who picks you up and picks up after you? ;)
Do we need a drink to enjoy ourselves at hogmanay on the street?
I would say YES. I have met people on Hogmanay who wished me all the best in the world. To meet the same people in sobriety would have led to zero communication. Bonhomie works better through spiritual contact!!
You only have to read the crime reports in the local paper to know the answer is Yes - like everywhere else in the UK.
Seems to me it's the younger people who are most visible around the town, and of course more vulnerable as someone said.
I wonder what this is storing up for the future - will these youngsters turn away from drink when older and wiser, or will they adopt a life-long habit?
If the latter, anarchy and misery for everyone might be expected.
Bad Manners
03-Oct-08, 14:19
I believe there is a problem, but firstly I am not against drinking.
there is nothing wrong with a social drink with friends what appears to be the problem is drink to the excess.
There has been and still running a program to stop drink driving and compared to ten years ago there are fewer drunck drivers and people accept that if you drive you do not drink. A similar program could be started aimed at drunk pedestrians increase the fines etc to the point that people will see that drinking to that excess is wrong it does themself do good,and causes offence to others. If someone has to be taken away in a ambulance because they were drunk or passed out through drink they should have to pay the callout. if they are sick on the pavement they should be fined to help with the cost of clear up and if they cause damage or injury throgh drink they should recieve a very stiff fine and have to pay costs If these measures were in force people would learn to drink with care enjoy a social drink with friends.
But all this will be to no avail as pubs and clubs try to get customers to drink as much as possable to keep them in profit
Im actually surprised its a question that needed to be asked.:eek:
Billy Boy
03-Oct-08, 14:36
What if the soul has been destroyed Gleeber?[lol]
What are you saying golach, that your soul has been destoyed by drink?
I would have to say yes to this, but i feel that mayby thurso is slightly worse than wick, but then wick has problems that arent as bad in thurso, i dont think really the problems lie with the folk that go out at the weekends, it is the ones that drink in their houses, but again i think this runs in familys, i personnaly dont drink, because of seeing folk drink way to much at home, but then that is only my opinion.
I used to think (many, many years ago) it was only well off people that could afford to have a drink let alone a problem, then I grew up! Alcohol ruins families, ruins formerly decent people and many folks just do not know the heartache it causes.
It's a case of "everyone does it" which is very untrue. The problem is that it is much more socially acceptable now for people to drink copious amounts of what is, in fact, a poison to the mind and body and colours their judgement and take on life. It's cool.......:confused
Agreed. My dad was an alcoholic and life was pretty miserable when we were growing up. Although it must have been obvious to everyone who knew him he had a major drinking problem it never stopped anyone from buying him a drink or giving him a "wee drammy" when he was at their house. Eventually the drinking killed him.
Balto and Sandra, both very true statements. While I despair at what the young (and not so young) put themselves and others through with their binge drinking at weekends, there are so many people who drink at home or with "friends" and they encourage each other at the expense of those who have to deal with the fallout.
Then there are the idiots who encourage people to take a drink even if they initially say no; we alll know them, the "oh go on, enjoy yourself" brigade who want everyone else to be as witless as themselves.
There is no easy answer but I do approve of methods to slow down/limit their drinking habits. Put the prices up for a start; these offers at supermarkets and mini-marts just make it too easy.
However, drunks will always find money for alcohol (or their so called friends will buy it for them) but it is also caused by them being too well off and it won't stop them; they think happiness is at the bottom of a bottle......it's just they never find the bottom....
I can't speak for Caithness but certainly elsewhere there is no more and no less of a drink problem than there has ever been.
The only problem now is that it has been locked onto by the Health Gestapo as a convenient stick with which to beat us.
The fuss is nothing more than an extension of both the "It's for your own good" and "The cost to society is horrific" Brigades.
The attitude started with demonising smokers and having succeeded to a large degree with that there was a mad search for the next victims to be demonised in order to feed the mania to control people. Alcohol was, as it has always been, the next obvious target and, to a lesser degree what we do or don't eat.
Don't worry, when those who are perfect have finished persuading other people that those two thing are the demons causing the destruction of society they will invent something else to demonise.
There has been, still is and always will be a temptation to point the finger, to accuse and to complain bitterly about those people who do not behave to the same high standards that each of us firmly and rather arrogantly believes we ourselves believe we adhere to.
It has been the same down the centuries, we might had progressed a little from burning witches at the stake but those who like to be the "Witch Finder General" (Check his methods on the web) have simply moved on to other things but are still using the same suspect methods.
Oh, and I have never felt in the least worried or fearful in either Wick, Thurso or anywhere else in Caithness for that matter at any time of day or night. They are<by any standard, just about the safest and the quietest places that I have ever been to.
Hi Jaws. Long time no cross swords.
I'm interested in this post of yours, more because it creates a different view of reality than I observe. A bit like the difference between Darwin and Billy Grahams perception of reality.
I hope you dont mind me doing a jjc on you and discect your post to show you the difficulties I have in understanding it.
This first paragraph.
I can't speak for Caithness but certainly elsewhere there is no more and no less of a drink problem than there has ever been.
The only problem now is that it has been locked onto by the Health Gestapo as a convenient stick with which to beat us.
The fuss is nothing more than an extension of both the "It's for your own good" and "The cost to society is horrific" Brigades.
Lets just say for the sake of debate that I agree with your observation that drinking habits are no more or no less destructive to society than they were say 50 years ago. Even if that was the case do you not think the 'health gestapo' would be right in trying to make people aware of the destruction alcohol causes in most communities any night of the week?
The attitude started with demonising smokers and having succeeded to a large degree with that there was a mad search for the next victims to be demonised in order to feed the mania to control people. Alcohol was, as it has always been, the next obvious target and, to a lesser degree what we do or don't eat.
I'm aware that smoking has been demonised although I prefer to use the term 'smoking has been rumbled' It's quite legal to smoke cigarettes but please dont make me inhale your surpless smoke cos I don't like it. Is that a reasonable position?
Don't worry, when those who are perfect have finished persuading other people that those two thing are the demons causing the destruction of society they will invent something else to demonise.
There are many difficulties in society. Your a googler. Check your figures for the destruction smoking and alcohol causes to (and costs everyone of us ) society.
Or, perhaps, your a denier. That would make an interesting discussion too.
There has been, still is and always will be a temptation to point the finger, to accuse and to complain bitterly about those people who do not behave to the same high standards that each of us firmly and rather arrogantly believes we ourselves believe we adhere to.
I believe domestic violence is wrong as i do animal cruelty. Am I being arrogant in my principled stand?
It has been the same down the centuries, we might had progressed a little from burning witches at the stake but those who like to be the "Witch Finder General" (Check his methods on the web) have simply moved on to other things but are still using the same suspect methods.
That's just pure nonsense.
Oh, and I have never felt in the least worried or fearful in either Wick, Thurso or anywhere else in Caithness for that matter at any time of day or night. They are<by any standard, just about the safest and the quietest places that I have ever been to.
I agree although you can be sure there will be some people tonight who will not agree.
For myself, I feel that the amount people drink could be related to their genetic makeup. I enjoy a drink like most others but know that I have reached my limit at 2 pints, or 3 glasses of wine. A close friend of mine reflects the behaviour of many - he drinks to get drunk... time and again - even at home. He gets quite frustrated when I won't join in. :confused
There is a difference between drinking to socialise or for enjoyment. However, there are far to many people who drink for the sake of getting drunk and IMHO that is a problem.
Welcomefamily
04-Oct-08, 19:08
I must admit I was very surprised at the drinking habits up here, so many people with psychological dependency on drink, many of them under 25.
However it is also a very different culture and I have said it before, the youngesters up here seem to put alcohol in a very high regard, and unlike the south where eating out on a Sunday is much more common, it is also very common to see 14 and 15 year old having alcohol with their food.
As is the law up here as well, that anyone over 14 can be served (with an adult until they are 16) providing they are having food are entitled to drink beer and cider.
2little2late
06-Oct-08, 00:53
Alcohol doesn’t solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.