Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with alcohol

A new tradition for a toast...

eatdonuts — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:06:22 -0800

Wonderful pink kind of champagne-esque drink found in Italy was had on my birthday and I've completely forgotten the name but would like to find it again...? I spent one of my birthdays in Florence, Italy some years ago and was treated to a wonderful fizzy kind of alcohol drink that was surprisingly pink when poured. The local who purchased it said it was a special of the area.

We're drinking it here in the photo... anyone know?

Whisky Me Away

spamguy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:14:21 -0800

What's a good scotch (or non-scotch) whisky that I can get for $15 - $20? It's Secret Santa season at my office, and my meta-boss is my target. Instructions are to secretly give sub-$5 presents Monday through Thursday, and a more expensive present on Friday. My target enjoys his booze (responsibly!), so I plan to give him $15 to $20 worth of pleasurable scotch whisky or whisky whisky.

I suggest both because, really, I don't know or care. I'm not much of a drinker, and when I do drink, you could convince me turpentine was a fine liquor. This is a double challenge because I realise $20 doesn't go far, and I'd like to avoid the swill water. Even a 300mL flask of something quality would be great.

Which type of whisky should I aim for? What's a good brand that's easily acquired for $15 - $20? By 'easily acquired', I mean I'll probably be hitting up Spec's in town.

Strategies to cut down on social drinking? (long story within)

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:30:48 -0800

My social drinking has become troublesome lately. Strategies to cut down, or perhaps quit completely for a while? (long, sorry) I've been more depressed on and off the past half year or so, due to several life-change stressors, death of someone close to me, etc. I've noticed a few times this week that I've been drinking hard and fast when out with friends. I'd like any tips/tricks you have on cutting back while out. I suppose I might warrant a "don't drink at all" response; if so, so be it. but if there are cutting-down strategies to suggest Those are welcome too.

More background on why I'm concerned: I am taking antidepressants, so this isn't really healthy to be drinking so much, given that alone. Also, I've had a period in my twenties where I drank a LOT both when out and when home alone. Dating an alcoholic made me realize how far south I was headed, at which point I made major changes and did much better with not drinking very much. Now I'm in my early 30s, and while I've been good in general, and drinking in moderation, I've had several "why did I drink that much?" evenings in the past few months, and I don't seem to be learning my lesson from the hangovers or weight gain. I'm not always establishing a limit when I go out (i.e. "no more than 3 tonight") but I have gone over what I deem acceptable, say, 4 to 6 a night every 4-5 days. However, this week was especially concerning since I had 6+(who knows?) on a Tuesday, 3 on Thursday, and 6+ (again, who knows?) last night. (And, I am female by the way.)

Thanks.
temp/disposable email: jsmithjsmith002@gmail.com

Alcohol for the New

divabat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:07:52 -0800

I've just started drinking alcohol this year. Help me find a cocktail/drink that doesn't taste like cough syrup. So far the only real alcoholic drink that I know I like is sparkling wine (bubbly), whether pink or white. I've had a version of a Long Island Ice Tea at Wagamama that was all right. I don't like alcopops; they taste too much like cough syrup. Whiskey and bourbon are much the same. I did plow through a box of sherry chocolates but I don't know how sherry tastes like on its own. I don't like beer, though Beez Kneez (honey beer) tastes OK.

I see my friends ordering all sorts of mixed drinks and I don't even know where to begin! I like chocolate, vanilla, Nutella, coffee-type flavours, and have been curious about liquer hot chocs/coffees. I'm not a big fan of fruity flavours, except if it's melon or banana (milkshake-ish) or lemonade. Flower flavours are good, and I really like ginger ale/ginger beer.

What would you recommend? Are there any drinks that don't taste overwhelmingly like cough syrup? I don't think I have a pretty high tolerance for alcohol (2 and a bit glasses of champagne and I'm already wobbly) so nothing crazy, but I'm up for experimenting.

Am I inappropriately worried about his drinking?

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:25:54 -0800

I get annoyed with my husband when he drinks. Is this the beginning of a drinking problem, or just MY problem? He's never been violent, missed work, driven after drinking, or had any trouble with the law.

He likes beer. He doesn't drink every night of the week, but when he does, he tends to binge drink. To me, it appears he can't (or doesn't want to) stop after just a few, even if that is his stated intention. It's normally 6+, and tonight it was 13. After going out for drinks at a bar, he will often stop off at a store for more beer to bring home, even if it's late at night.

The problem is, once he passes a certain point (usually around 5 beers or so) I start to feel distinctly uncomfortable with his behavior. He acts silly. He does mildly embarrassing things. He sometimes slurs. He becomes overly affectionate, and also overly sensitive if someone (normally, me) is not amused by his behavior. For some reason, after he's gone past buzzed and into "getting drunk" territory, I start to dislike him. I feel angry, even a bit repulsed.

We've had a couple of screaming fights when he's been drinking, which is not normal for us. Once or twice I've even told him that I just want him to stop drinking altogether, or learn how to drink in moderation (not to the point of drunkenness), but I worry I'm being too controlling. He has attempted moderation in the past, and he's even "stopped drinking" a few times, but it doesn't last.

I can be very nagging and overly controlling in everyday life (I am aware of this, and I do make an effort not to be), and I suspect part of his drinking is one way of escaping the anxiety he feels about this, and maybe also a way of working up the courage to confront me on it, since he normally won't when he's sober.

When he's drunk, sometimes I feel like he's spoiling for a fight, and I've told him this. He's taken it under consideration and is making a distinct effort to not be so sensitive when he's been drinking. I've also agreed to stop needling/nagging him about how much he drinks. After all, he's an adult and has to make his own choices, and I admit that I have been kind of overbearing about this. I'm hoping that, if I take the pressure off his drinking for a while, he might eventually find his own middle ground because he won't be resenting or rebelling against me.

I took the al-anon quiz recently, and only scored on like 3 of the items, which is very borderline/inconclusive. It doesn't exactly fit our situation, but something is distinctly not right here.

Bottom line: I can't tell if this is the start of a serious drinking problem, or if it's just me being too controlling and nagging.

In either case, I am unsure how to proceed.

If I'm going to make mojitos, they better be good mojitos

Juliet Banana — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:58:17 -0800

I'm having a tacotastic dinner party for my boyfriend's birthday. What's a tasty cocktail/punch recipe that goes with the fresh, rich, spicy flavors of Mexican food? Simplicity is a plus; I don't mind making flavored simple syrup or finding juices or fresh ingredients but I'd like to avoid buying 6 bottles of liquor for one drink. At least one gluten-free guest is coming (though she always brings sorghum beer or wine), so the food is a buffet-style free-for-all with tortillas in every incarnation, roast veggies (cippolini onions, beet, potato), black beans & rice, chipotle sauce (chipotles in adobo pureed with pumpkin seeds and chocolate), cilantro crema (enough cilantro to terrify the haters pureed with queso fresco, lime juice, and crema). So, greasy & rich with bright & fresh flavors and a lot of heat.

We like gin, rum, and vodka, I LOVE champagne cocktails, and preferably the drink would either be a little on the girly side or easy to dilute with tonic/juice/mixer.

Smoking lush seeks hospital advice

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:50:06 -0800

I drink like a fish and smoke like a chimney. Help me survive a possible hospital stay. By the end of this week I may well be in the hospital due to an ongoing (nonsurgical) medical issue. My doctors do know about my habits. To the extent it doesn't interfere with my treatment, how are such addictions dealt with on an in-patient basis?

Help...traditional holiday party in jeopardy!

teg4rvn — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:58:45 -0800

What steps can company management take to minimize liability at an office holiday party where alcohol is served? I work in an office of approximately 30 people with 6 being the "management" who have traditionally (last 30 years at least) paid for an office holiday party/dinner at an outside establishment and allowed employees and their SO to order a couple of alcoholic beverages with dinner. This year, 4 of the 6 management-level employees said they will not participate with the event nor sponsor it because they are concerned with getting sued by someone or their family if an employee drives home drunk and gets hurt or killed. A reasonable concern, but the remaining two of us are willing to still throw the party. With layoffs and everyone else doing more work to make up for the lost employees, my boss (and I) believe the effect on morale will be devastating if we didn't have the party. The crux of the concern is that there is 1-3 problem drinkers amongst staff and their invited spouses. Our plan is to:

1) Issue two "tickets" for drinks per person and deem them non-transferable.

2) Be the last one's to leave so we can assess drunkeness.

3) Do this at a restaurant with a liquor license with "professional" waiters and bartenders.

Despite these precautions, the 4 other senior-level folk still do not want to participate because of liability issues. Frankly, I believe they don't want to spend the money, but the alcohol issue is a real, but, convenient diversion.

You are not my lawyer.....but is there anything else I can do to further safeguard us, allay the fears of others, and hold our holiday party as it has been for decades? please feel free to tell me that my stubborn colleagues are in fact right and that my traditional party need be updated to 2009 legal standards if that's the case.

How to prevent alcohol-induced blackouts?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:51:30 -0800

I find that it doesn't take very much alcohol for me to end up with a bit of short-term amnesia. Is there anything I can do about this? Is this a sign of Bad Things To Come? I know, if I drink less (or none at all), I'll remember everything. Let's take that off the table for now. I know the risks involved and I'm as responsible as I can be, given the parameters. That said...

This weekend, I went out and had some drinks and when I woke up Sunday morning, I didn't remember a huge chunk of the night. In this particular instance, it was annoying because apparently there was drama that I don't remember. This is frustrating because while I was told that I didn't do anything that I have to apologize for, I hate not knowing.

This isn't the first time that this has happened. I'd say that it takes four beers of average strength for things to get foggy and if you add a cocktail or two after that, it's like there's a huge hole in my memory. I'm 5'4" and about 200 pounds, so assuming that I have a decent meal beforehand, I don't feel like this is a huge amount of alcohol. I also don't appear drunk enough to people around me that I should have this kind of memory loss. In fact, when I'm more outwardly drunk, I tend to remember more of it.

It's frustrating because I genuinely like to drink. I love beer, I love whiskey. I know that I'm not running a risk of being an alcoholic, I just love the taste.

Are there any hacks that I can do to increase my odds of remembering everything the next morning? If I eat *while* I drink, would that make a difference? Should I pack a Clif Bar when I go to the bar? I already have about a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage that I have. Is this likely to cause bad brain problems down the road? This has been happening for at least five years and I don't find that my tolerance has decreased or that the memory loss is more frequent. It's just generally annoying and I'd like it to stop.

Cocktails for the evil capitalists

ohio — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:46:18 -0800

My dad is a grouchy old man, and as much as I shouldn't be encouraging him I would like to make him an old-fashioned cocktail kit for Christmas. Something James Bond or an evil capitalist from 1928 would appreciate. I know I'll put some nice whiskey and some bitters in there- what else? I want to put together a kit of mostly ingredients rather than tools, although I can throw in a shaker and a jigger or two. My questions are:

What did they put in cocktails 60 years ago (or really any number of years ago)? I am thinking orange bitters and Peychaud's bitters, real grenadine if I can find it, bourbon cherries . . . ?? What are your favorite "I can't believe people don't still use this" ingredients?

How do I find those things in Chicago or over the internet?

Can I get old style glass bottles of soda water somewhere in Chicago?

Lambanog?

Iax — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:47:22 -0800

Where can I buy a bottle of lambanog in Vancouver, BC, Canada? Specifically looking for bubblegum flavoured.

Thanks

Is alcohol metabolized like sugars? Or something else?

Nelson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:59:15 -0800

Is alcohol metabolized like sugars? Or something else? There's a variety of diet books that focus on the theory that in the American diet, carbohydrates and sugars are the primary cause of weight gain and other problems. The Atkins diet is the most well known; Gary Taubes' book Good Calories, Bad Calories also does a thorough job in highlighting scientific evidence that refined carbohydrates and sugars are bad for health. However, none of these books talk about alcohol.

How is alcohol metabolized? Does the body process it more or less like sugar or refined carbohydrates? Does it get converted to glucose relatively quickly and end up causing large changes in blood sugar, insulin, etc? Or does something different happen to it?

(Taubes' book has given me a newfound appreciation of the complexity of metabolism science and the ease by which common wisdom can get mistaken for science. Hoping to find some proper research, not just speculation.)

Bourbon, Afghanistan, Death?

tmcw — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:44:21 -0800

Bringing alcohol to Afghanistan: worth it? Risks? Fines? So, lets say you are flying to Afghanistan tonight (via Dubai) - what are the risks of packing a bottle of bourbon?

(this is not hypothetical :)

Where to buy daiginjo sake in Vancouver

findango — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:24:13 -0800

Where can I buy a bottle of Daiginjo sake in Vancouver? BC Liquor Stores carry a number of Junmai and Ginjo options, but no Daiginjo, from what I've seen. Does anyone know where I might look (preferably downtown)? I've checked Granville Island already. Cheers!

how much booze can i bring with me through LAX?

cheemee — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:34:39 -0800

How much alcohol can I have in my checked in bags if I am connecting through LAX? I am currently in Peru, and will be flying from Lima to LAX. Then from LAX to Vancouver, Canada. How much alcohol can I put in my checked in bags?
Don´t know why I can´t seem to find this info from google...
Thanks!!

What's a good cookbook for braising with something other than alcohol?

boombot — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:27:17 -0800

I love cooking with my new dutch oven, but have never liked the taste of alcohol in food. I know I can always substitute, but is there a good braising cookbook that minimizes alcohol use in the recipes?

I want to want to stop drinking. And I sort of do. But I don't.

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:57:43 -0800

How can I make myself actually *want* to stop drinking, rather than just intellectually *know* that I should, then feel guilty for not even trying? How can I motivate myself to keep attempting to quit? I am a 26yo female who has been drinking for around 10 years. During this time I would estimate that I have been quite drunk around once or twice per week, on average (so maybe 10 drinks). I don't drink daily by any means, but the longest I've ever gone without drinking is probably a month or two - and that's only happened maybe twice. Sometimes I'll just have one or two but I mainly get very drunk. I'm guessing this is considered to be heavy use, although many of my friends probably have similar levels.

Over this time I have gained a reputation as a bit of a party girl / loudmouth which, oddly enough, used to be a source of pride... but increasingly is a source of shame. As my peers mature I am stuck in silly adolescent behaviour and am more aware of how selfish and attention-grabbing I am when drinking.. and sometimes sober I suppose. The line between the drunk me and what I think of as The Real Me is now almost completely blurred. Now, the mornings after, I have very strong 'emotional hangovers' with a cringeing regret about whatever I did last night. I have little idea these days about whether this shame has any basis in reality, but it doesn't really matter, because I feel so guilty in general for continuing to drink. This horrible feeling of being out of control, not myself, is the major reason I would like to stop (I have also habitually done many stupid and dangerous things while drinking, such as driving, random drugs, chain smoking and unsafe sex. My professional network is also quite small in this city and becoming increasingly aware of how drunk I get.)

I have been to AA (and decided, unequivocally, that it's not for me), various therapists, tried naltrexone for a couple of months with varying success, and I've read and tried to research almost everything I can find on addiction. I've sought out non-AA support groups but they are not available in my small city. I'm currently in therapy one hour per week (I've had about 5 sessions so far), which is helpful insofar as I am expressing my feelings about minor family dysfunctions (nothing terrible, just your average childhood really); dropping out of grad school; my relationship/s; my drinking behaviour; my identity; my run-of-the-mill graduate career crises etc. I'm not depressed, I'm in reasonably decent health (I hope) for someone who puts so much poison into her body on a regular basis, and most things in life are, on the balance, objectively pretty good.

Yet I STILL feel this compelling drive to get drunk at least once per week, always followed by a day or more of sickness, apathy and depression. It's getting to the point where I am extremely concerned about the effects on my health and wellbeing, on my reputation, my mental health and of course on the people around me. The thought that this could go on for another 10 years is utterly terrifying.

But it's that old conundrum - am I unhappy because I drink, or do I drink because I'm unhappy? After all this time, I just don't feel any closer to quitting drinking. It's like some part of me just doesn't even consider stopping. I can't seem to make a decision and stick to it (even as I say that, I realise it's just my own self-defeating voice speaking, yet from my experience, it seems so true.)

So my question is NOT a general, what should I do about my drinking, or, is it a problem. I feel like I am pretty familiar with the answers to those questions already.
What I want to know is, how do I make myself WANT to stop, to want to try? How do I differentiate this attempt from numerous others, whereby I actually believe it is possible? How can I best help myself? Is there something specific I could be asking my therapist, my boyfriend or my family to do to help me? What are the ingredients of a successful change to sobriety? (Please no Big Book quotes!)

Thank you all so much for any advice you can give - I am desperate to hear anything new on what, for me, has become a very old and tired theme.

How to make a Flaming Moe cocktail from the Simpsons

willie11 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:27:45 -0800

Help me figure out how to make a Flaming Moe (Flaming Homer) for a Simpsons Costume Party tonight, please! 1) Yes, I'm open to actually using children's cough syrup, though not thrilled about it.
2) It absolutely must catch on fire
3) I've seen the stock recepes online and they look disgusting.

So, have any ideas about how to make a decent Flaming Moe?

What Scotch has a long, campfire-like finish?

paulg — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:40:11 -0800

ScotchFilter: please ID this half-remembered single-malt whisky! What Scotch would have been available in metro Detroit around 2001 with an amazingly smooth palate and a long, campfire-like finish? I’ve started learning more about Scotch lately. I tend to prefer the peaty, smoky Islays like Laphroaig. I’ve discovered some great whiskies, but haven’t been able to identify one I drank long before I had the good sense to keep notes about such things.

Sometime between 1999 and 2003 one of my friends acquired a sampler of Scotches. It might have been a retail display rack with 6-12 different whiskies which he got from someone who owned a liquor store. I think there were a variety of brands, a couple full 750ml bottles and some smaller sample sizes. Some of them were pretty expensive-looking--12, 15, 18, and 25 years old.

One of those scotches left a lasting impression on me, but (or course!) I don’t remember the name. I don’t remember anything about the nose, but it was very, very smooth on the palate. I remember the finish best: a pleasant and dramatic warmth radiating through my body, and a long, overwhelmingly woody (oak, cedar?), smoky flavor. I said at the time that it was like swallowing a camp fire.

Thanks.

Please recommend the best American whiskey.

Help, I can't stop talking! — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:35:32 -0800

Please recommend the best American whiskey. A friend of mine is moving to Colombia for a year. She wants to bring a gift for her hosts, and was told that American whiskey is something that is hard to come by and largely appreciated by the community down there. She wants to do this up proper. What bottle would you bring if you were in her shoes?

I'm getting therapy. He refuses. Now what?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:21:44 -0800

I'm trying to "detach with love" and get therapy. He's stuck and resistant. What next? My husband of 10 years has been out of work for more than a year, with a couple of short-term contract gigs inbetween. He is beaten down by this, and is now pretty much refusing to even look for work, frittering his days away, and drinking in four- or five-day binges when he barely sleeps, then crashes. Meanwhile, our bank accounts are withering.

I know that he is probably technically depressed, but he refuses to see how he's feeling as depression. He did start taking antidepressants about five weeks ago, and says he does feel better, more "leveled." However, his drinking patterns have not changed. (No need to tell me that alcohol and ADs should not be mixed.)

I've read Codependent No More, and what feels like every thread on depressed and alcoholic spouses on AskMeFi. I've found some wonderful and helpful answers on these threads, but I know I have to figure out my own situation and do what works best for me.

Today I booked myself an appointment with a therapist, and will be seeing her next week. If she doesn't work out, I'll find another. That part is the easy part. I just wish I hadn't waited so long.

I'm extremely angry and sad that I have to do all this, while my husband stays stuck. He has told me that I need to accept him the way he is; I've told him that I don't want to live like this anymore, and he assures me that he doesn't either. But then he is the one who needs to change his behavior. I love him dearly, but he is a wreck, and he won't make any more moves toward sorting himself out.

I don't want to leave, and financially that isn't an option right now -- but I can see us leading rather more separate lives in the same house. (Not too difficult, since he rarely comes to bed, is rarely coherent enough for conversation, etc.) That saddens me, but since I'm already used to it, it should be easier to detach, right?

He has told me over and over that he loves me and he can't live without me, but I know the drinking/disease is more powerful. I get that. What I don't get is why he can't see what damage he has done to us as a couple. I have told him exactly how I feel, and he sees that as me attacking him. (I'm attacking his behavior, not the person -- but he turns it round.)

I can't send out his resume for him. I can't be Carry Nation and pour away his drinks. I can, however, get on with my own life. I'm trying to "detach with love," as the phrase goes, but it is causing so much pain. Do I just keep on trying to look after myself, while letting him keep on heading to rock bottom?

He is absolutely resistant to AA. He went once, and hated it. I've read all the AA-related threads on here, and have a couple of friends who found it very helpful. Do I try to ask one of them to talk to him? Is that a bad thing to ask of another AA member? Do I push him toward a non-AA sponsor? (He drinks alone, at home. So there's no circle of pals to cut off or avoid.)

Apologies for length, but I wanted to add as much relevant detail as possible. Anonymizing email address: bendtothesinister@gmail.com

Do these lederhosen make my ass look awesome?

JimmyJames — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:29:19 -0800

Where in the SF Bay Area should I celebrate Oktoberfest? Last year I felt like I found out about amazing Oktoberfest parties a few days after they happened. Where should (and shouldn't) I head to celebrate the most noble of drinks? Size really doesn't matter, big or small both appeal to me. Events with Oompah bands and other fun touches score bonus points.

How can I get my sister help for her addiction/depression?

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:15:07 -0800

My sister has an alcohol and/or prescription and/or depression problem. What can I do to help her, and in what order? Apologies for the long e-mail, but this is anonymous so I want to get as much of the story here as I can.

My sister was in town this weekend (from 250 miles away), and did some things that really alarmed us. She is a few years older than me, in her mid-30s, married with a boy and a girl who are 6 and 3. I see her a couple of times a year. My two girls are near in age and love to play with their cousins.

This weekend, my sister drank 2 bottles of wine each night by herself while everyone else (her husband, me, and my wife) had either soda pop or one beer each. She would get progressively more angry/aggressive (verbally) as the night went on, but was never in a rage. Just noticeably sharp-tongued and at the same time boasting about herself.

Then overnight last night things got really bad. Apparently, after everyone went to bed she woke up (or never went to sleep) and snuck downstairs. She either drank more (but we couldn't find anything she could have) or popped some pills (again, not sure what they were or could have been). She was up into the night posting incoherently on her blog and on Facebook. Then on her way back to our guestroom she fell on our stairs and bloodied up her face, and fell over into a door (this was at 5:30). When her family left this morning at 8:00, her husband had to literally pick her up off the floor, then support her as she stumbled down the stairs and out the door. He flopped her down into the car and they were gone.

Talking to my parents, this is at least the 3rd time something like this has happened recently. My sister appears to be in complete denial that there is any trouble, and for whatever reason I think her husband is not willing or able to address the issue proactively (or at least not initiate action himself).

My wife and I think she needs help, now. For herself, for her kids, for her husband, and for the rest of our family. Complicating factors are that she has been generally depressed for as long as I can remember, she has MS, and she is without a job (recently) and being chased by creditors (for a long time).

I don't know if we need an intervention or a direct talk with her. I don't know if we should talk to everyone and get them on board behind her back (which could infuriate her and set her off if someone tells her) or address her first (which could set her off into a denial/aggression cycle before all the pieces are in place to convince her to get help). I don't know whether insurance will pay for rehab. I don't know whether I can or should call her own therapist and express my concern/get his advice. I've never done this before but think that my family will look to me for leadership. I am concerned that she could hurt herself; she will surely be defensive/dismissive/angry when confronted. I love my sister and want to help her. She will not be happy that this is happening.

For those who have been through this: how did you do it? In what order? With the addict's knowledge or behind their back?

Thanks for any advice you can give. Throwaway e-mail is helpmehelpmysister@gmail.com

How else to endure all those rituals?

The Whelk — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:12:22 -0800

You live at Versailles in 1658. You're nobility of the blood. You know the King. What drugs, drinks, or other ways of getting totally fucked up are available to you? How often could you partake before people started to Have A Problem with it? Aside from alcohol, of course, which would be in abundance, but what kind? Wine? Beer? What kind of spirits? I know laudanum was available, and cocoa leaves mixed with tobacco enjoyed a fad but smoking was looked down on. I think. What other ways did the French Court get totally ripped? Would coffee be around? Would it be spiked? Marijuana? Hashish? More powerful concentrations of opiates? Coca Leaves processed into cocaine? Exotically dangerous substances?

Is it better to have many individual weeks off the booze, or fewer months?

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:02:18 -0800

I drink a lot. Not every day, but when I do drink I drink a lot. I have done for a long time. I have periodic abstinences of a week, two weeks, sometimes a month. What's better? Long breaks, or more frequent short ones? If I'm going to have (say) 1/4 of the year off, is it better to try for 3 dry months in a row, or 3 dry months spaced out across the year, or 13 dry weeks? Note: this is not a question about stopping for good. This is a question about what's better for my health in terms of periodic abstinence. For about 10 years, I spent 1 month of every year entirely alcohol free. A few years ago, I tried doing 1 week each month; this has now shifted to 13 weeks each year. 13 weeks is undoubtedly longer than 1 month, so I have an assumption that it's better for me. I have no difficulty with abstaining, and I actually rather enjoy it - I like drinking too though, I like the social aspects and particularly the confidence I gain, and I like the taste and the variety of many types of alcohol. I'm willing to consider different periods of abstinence if it would be better for me, but I find weeks and/or months easy to track.