Thread: Sleep

Originally Posted by redhaze

es, they can. It really is just that simple. They can, and many do quit every single day.

Dont forget that an alcoholic, an alcohol dependent person who needs the stuff or goes into withdrawal, cant really 'just stop' cold turkey as it can easily lead to grand mal seizures and even death in severe cases. Alcohol and benzos are the 2 drugs that you can actually die from the withdrawal. Unlike opiates, where you will probably wish you were dead, but wont die from cold turkey. The more serious deal is the seizures.

Not the same as a problem drinker.

They can still quit but yeah you're right its probably not adviseable cold turkey for a select few. I think that's pretty extreme drinkers though, like everyday blackout types. Not like most people have to worry about putting down the sauce for a day or two.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

The very definition of an alcoholic is "someone who has lost the power of choice in picking up a drink"

We all make choices. Picking up a drink is one of them. I think you're confusing something that is hard with something that is compulsory. As have some well intentioned but misguided academics.

Take away empowerment, and you only hurt those people who do have it in them to quit one day. Everybody who quits at some point made the decision to do so.

I come from a family of alcoholics, btw. So its not as if I'm detached from this or whatever. But what good does it do to reassure people that it really isn't their choice to keep drinking? Not helpful in my opinion. Also not truthful

Originally Posted by redhaze

Nobody forces anybody to do anything.

I'm not so sure about that. Sure you're not generally "forced" to take the first drink or the first toke but there is often pressure there, be it from family or peer groups.

Social pressure, to which we are all susceptible whether we like it or not, can bring increased pressure to bear to the point where the monkey has a hold of you.

Once that physical and often mental trap has been sprung it's a hard task to get released.

I must say that the idea that we are all free independent spirits untouched and uninfluenced by circumstance, society, peers or even the weather is tosh. IMO

Originally Posted by redhaze

I think that's pretty extreme drinkers though, like everyday blackout types. Not like most people have to worry about putting down the sauce for a day or two.

Not really. Plenty of people on here I'm sure drink 6-7 beers a night or more daily. Thats plenty enough to give you seizures if you stop cold turkey. Doesnt happen to everyone of course, but alcohol withdrawal is pretty serious shit.

And about the alcoholic thing, dude there is a reason people continue to smoke cigarette all the way until the day they die from cancer. Or drink to the point of liver failure or literally destroying a family unit. It gets into your head so badly its unreal.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

I must say that the idea that we are all free independent spirits untouched and uninfluenced by circumstance, society, peers or even the weather is tosh. IMO

It is.

Originally Posted by Slick

And about the alcoholic thing, dude there is a reason people continue to smoke cigarette all the way until the day they die from cancer. Or drink to the point of liver failure or literally destroying a family unit. It gets into your head so badly its unreal.

People make terrible decisions all the time that aren't in their best interest. Decisions that kill them or ruin their lives. Addiction to fighting, adrealin, being an abuser with low self esteem, driving people away with it. Drugs and cigs are just the start of it.

And yeah, of course we're all products of our environment. Doesn't mean we aren't ultimately responsible for the choices we make though.

Mods,

Please merge this thread in the "Sleep" thread in Health section.

It's an important topic for many of us, IMO.

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

Mods,

Please merge this thread in the "Sleep" thread in Health section.

It's an important topic for many of us, IMO.

never knew there was a health section