Drinking Age

Helene Rothschild asked:


Do you even wonder what to do or say when others are drinking too much? It is a gift to them to share in a loving way the suggestions listed below. If you express these with anger or criticism, it is more difficult for them to hear you. It is helpful to speak to them when they are sober.

Many men and women feel guilty because they did not try to stop someone from driving when they had too much alcohol in their system. They wish they had expressed some of the thoughts shared in this article. Others have realized their friend or loved one was high on alcohol and was still willing to let him drive. Many of these passengers paid a heavy price by being hurt or dying in an accident.

Anything we do in excess is a way to feel good and drown, numb, or run away from our emotional pain. Unfortunately, we then have the added problem of the addiction. As you well know, abuse of alcohol has led to many people being hurt and killed. You can avoid driving or abusing your loved ones when you drink too much. The ideas below can help you stay safe and treat your loved ones with love and respect.

A) Put a check next to the words you choose to say when someone drinks too much.

When Others Drink Too Much, I am suggesting that he:

1. Avoid driving.

2. Understand that he is attempting to “drown” his pain.

3. Decide to take control of his life.

4. Seek help so that he can get the support he needs to heal. (It takes courage to ask for help.)

5. Do what he needs to do to love himself unconditionally.

6. Be patient with himself and take life one day at a time.

7. Learn how to communicate his thoughts and feelings in a constructive way.

8. Know that he is a good person no matter what anyone says or does.

9. Forgive himself for all the times he made mistakes.

10. Realize that he is good enough, worthy, and lovable and deserves to be happy, healthy and successful.

B) Put a check next to the statement that will help you.

When I Drink Too Much:

1. I avoid driving.

2. I understand that I am attempting to “drown” my pain.

3. I am deciding to take control of my life.

4. I am seeking help so that I can get the support I need to heal myself.

5. I am doing what I need to do to love myself unconditionally.

6. I am being patient with myself, and taking life one day at a time.

7. I am learning how to communicate my thoughts and feelings in a constructive way.

8. I remember that I am a good person no matter what anyone says or does.

9. I forgive myself for all the times I made mistakes.

10. I realize that I am good enough, worthy, and lovable and I deserve to be happy, healthy and successful.

Now that you have some constructive guidelines, it is important to practice them so that the people you care about, and you, can feel good in a healthy, safe way. Congratulate others and yourself for resolving an excessive drinking problem.



Jason

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


When you go to a bar and ask for your favorite drink there is a chance that you will find some type of rum in it. Now these many rum drinks are considered as being very delicious. You can easily enjoy the smooth relaxing flavor of rum while you are drinking your current mixed drink favorite.

While many people enjoy drinking rum both on its own and in other drinks there are many bartenders who have various recipes for these great drinks. The most interesting aspect about rum drinks is that you will find both light and dark rum drinks. These two rum drinks may have rum as the main base but they have two distinct flavors to them. To be able to savor the smooth taste of light rum you will need to buy these rum drinks from Trinidad, Barbados, Puerto Rico and other South Caribbean Islands.

The light rum drinks are made from sugar cane molasses that have been boiled down, distilled and fermented to a clear pale gold color. You will find that the alcohol strength of these drinks is that of 80 proof. Now to get the distinctive taste of light rum you will find that this rum drink has been aged for about 6 months to a year’s time in oak casks.

The dark rum drinks on the other hand while they undergo the same initial treatment as the light rum drinks have a richer and heavier flavor than light rums. It is also very aromatic and the color of dark rum drinks is found to be amber to a beautiful rich Mahogany color. The alcohol strength however is the same as the light rum drinks.

To be able to enjoy the fantastic flavor of dark rum drinks the rum needs to mature in oak casks for about 3 to 12 years. Sometimes these dark rum drinks will have caramel flavoring added to them. The best countries that produce dark rum drinks are Martinique, Jamaica and Haiti. There are many people who will use these great rum drinks to add flavor and punch to their drinks but there are also others who love to drink the rum all by itself.

This is the best way to savor the smooth flavor of rum – in the manner that is reminiscent of fine brandy. Now there is just one more item to add about rum drinks and that is the 150 proof rums are also great additions to all of your desserts and drinks that need to be flambéed. So the next time that you want a smooth tropical drink, just let the velvety taste of rum slide down your throat. This is one experience that will add some punch to your life.



Antonio

Donald Saunders asked:


The number one cause of death amongst youngster between the ages of 15 and 24 is drunk driving and so educating your teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving is particularly important, not only for their own protection but for the protection of other road users and pedestrians.

The first mistake which many parents make in this area is to assume that they do not need to raise the subject until their own teenagers learn to drive. You do not need to be behind the wheel of a car to understanding the dangers of drunk driving and, like everything else you teach your children, the earlier they learn the more likely the lessons are to stick.

When it comes to the consequences of drunk driving teenagers need to fully understand just what it means to kill another person on the road and the devastating impact which this can have on their family and friends. But they also need to realize that many people are also injured as a result of drunk driving and they and their families may have to live with the consequences of severe injury for the rest of their lives. This is not always easy for a teenager to understand but it is a lesson which they need to learn.

It is also important for teenagers to fully understand the consequences of being caught behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. So, find out about the drink driving laws in your state and clearly spell out the consequences of a drink driving conviction. Explain to them that a drink driving conviction can not only land them in jail, but can also ruin their career prospects and prevent them from getting a good job.

Now, despite your best efforts, it is still quite possible that your teenager is going to find himself in the position of having had too much to drink when he is out with the car and being caught between driving the car home when he knows he is not fit to do so, or calling you and getting yelled at for being so irresponsible. So, this too is something which you need to discuss with him before it happens.

Remember that we all do silly things when we are young and the most important thing is to stay safe, learn our lesson and live to try again to get it right next time. So, if your child is in this position he must know that he can call you no matter what condition he is in or what time of the day or night it is to come and pick him up.

This is not to say that you are condoning his actions in getting drunk or that he should not be punished for his irresponsibility. But your first job is to keep him safe and make him realize that he made the right, sensible and mature decision by calling you for help.

Finally remember that there is no better way to teach your children anything than through your own example and that means making sure that you never drink and drive yourself. If your children see you leaving your car keys at home and taking a taxi to go out to a party then they will follow suit.



Roger

MIKE SELVON asked:


Drinking and driving destroys thousands of lives each year. Alcohol has a way of “sneaking up on you” sometimes and the effects of alcohol can be unpredictable. Some nights you may have two beers and feel a buzz, while other nights you’re almost at ten and still feel unsatisfied.

Binge drinking is common among drinkers. It seems that most people either don’t care for alcohol or like drinking alcohol TOO much, but it should not be tolerated when it claims so many innocent victims. Drinking with set limits and a sensible transportation plan is fine, but excessively drinking and driving someone off the road has become a serious social problem that must be targeted through a variety of community strategies.

The drinking and driving statistics for 2005 were astounding. Roughly 1 million people were injured in drunken driving crashes that year. The NTSHA reported that 16,885 Americans died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving statistics show that the percentage jumped to 41% the following year. Additionally, the Department of Justice reported that another 1.4 million drivers were arrested for DUI or DWI.

In a survey done by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 159 million people admitted that they had been drinking and driving that year! Given these dangerous statistics, it seems that people are seriously underestimating the possible effects of alcohol on the road.

Since alcohol consumption is known to physically impair judgment in the amygdala region of the brain, obscuring danger while simultaneously exciting the “reward center,” we almost can’t help ourselves. Therefore, the only way to resist the urge to just get in your car and go is to plan ahead with a designated driver or alternate form of transportation, set defined time and alcohol consumption limits for ourselves and learn your personal tolerance levels.

The best way to prevent drinking and driving in general is to be a good friend. Sometimes it may seem taxing or you may feel underappreciated, but understand that a simple gesture could save a life.

You can suggest another ride home for the person who has been drinking alcohol, offer to let them stay the night at your house, offer to ride the bus with them home, or even pay for a cab to get them home safely. People who have high alcohol content might get belligerent with you or treat you like a “party crasher,” but positive peer pressure is the only way we can combat bad habits and deadly behavior.

Each year, drinking and driving crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion. Some efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse have been successful. For example, increased police enforcement/setting up sobriety checkpoints have helped deter law breakers.

The zero tolerance law has been effective in targeting young drivers in some states. For some large festivals, a Ride Program is set up to give free (or at least affordable) transportation for attendees. Mandatory counseling for offenders is a good step toward recovery from alcoholism as well.

There are some drinking and driving prevention success stories. Over the past 20 years, alcohol-related fatal crash rates have decreased by 60% for drivers aged 16 to 17 years and 55% for drivers aged 18 to 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To be most effective, communities are urged to implement and enforce minimum legal drinking age laws and “zero tolerance” laws for drivers under 21.



Jacob

Michael Pickering - LAC Lawyers asked:


Part 5 of the Road Safety Act (Vic.) contains six types of drink-driving offences as follows:

1 Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol (DUI);

2 Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while the blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds or is equal to the prescribed limit of 0.05;

3 “Fail the test” offences;

4 Refusing a breath test or failing to undergo a blood sample in hospital after a motor vehicle accident;

5 Failure to have a zero blood alcohol (for Probationary license holders); and

6 An accompanying driver offence.

Penalties for blood alcohol offences usually involve fines or imprisonment or license or permit disqualification. License or permit penalties for drink-driving offences involving BAC readings vary according to the nature of the driver’s BAC, prior drink-driving offences, and when the offence took place.

Conviction for more serious offences like DUI or refusing a breath or blood test, involves two years’ license disqualification for a first offence and four years license disqualification for subsequent offences.

Conviction for BAC reading offences involves license disqualification on a sliding scale according to the BAC reading. The period of disqualification is doubled for a subsequent offence.

As a result of the Road Safety (Amendment) Act 2000 (Vic.), drink-drivers with readings of 0.07 or above must have their license cancelled, irrespective of whether they were issued with a traffic infringement or a summons to appear in court. Magistrates have no discretion to alter the period of cancellation. Drink-drivers with alcohol readings of 0.05 or 0.06 may retain their licenses subject to incurring 10 demerit points whereupon VicRoads has the power to suspend or cancel licenses and permits.

Whilst difficult, it is possible to challenge BAC readings successfully. These defences are generally based upon expert evidence, using the breathalyser over-estimation and rise and fall arguments. These defences are confined to offences of being in charge of a motor vehicle while the blood alcohol content exceeds the prescribed limit.

It is more difficult to challenge “fail the test” offences where a driver has, within three hours of driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle, provided a breath sample or a blood sample which, when analysed, exceeds the prescribed BAC. In relation to those offences, challenges appear to be limited to situations where the elements of the offence are not made out. In other words, defences are that the defendant was not driving; the test was not done within three hours of driving; or where the defendant can establish that the BAC was solely due to the post-driving consumption of alcohol; or the breathalyser was on the occasion not in proper working order or not properly operated.

It is also becoming increasingly common for drink-driving charges to be challenged on grounds that the Police have failed to comply with the drink-driving legislation.

It is important for clients to seek legal advice, particularly where BAC readings are alleged to be 0.07 or above.



Herbert

Ed Philips asked:


Many people take an occasional drink with no problems. Some people drink moderately and appear to have no repercussions. There are times, however, when drinking can be risky business.

Health problems can develop and relationships can suffer as well as careers. If you are concerned about any of these scenarios you may want to stop drinking. Read on and find out about some of the problems associated with drinking, even moderately.

Did you know that you don’t need to drink much alcohol before your driving ability suffers? There are driving skills that can be impaired by a blood alcohol level as low as 00.2%.

An empty stomach makes the alcohol react even more quickly. If you continue to drink, your driving will become even more impaired. Most states have the blood alcohol level set at 0.08% but driving skills can be negatively affected at far lower levels.

Many medications do not mix with alcohol. You should stop drinking if you are taking medications that do not react well with the consumption of alcohol.

There are even over-the-counter medications like antihistamines that do not mix well with alcohol. You can be risking liver damage and other problems if you are taking medications that should not be combined with alcohol. Read the package directions, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.

There are many other problems that can occur when people drink and are not willing to stop drinking. You may end up at odds or even separated from family members and friends. Your job situation may become strained and you could risk losing the chance at a promotion or even lose your job.

Often people who drink end up having problems with the legal system because of the poor choices made while drinking. This can be costly in many ways.

Licenses and insurance can be revoked and time in jail may be required. Many of these legal situations will require the expense of an attorney and you may need to miss valuable time at work.

Women who are pregnant and drink may be endangering their unborn child. Many birth defects are related to women who drink during pregnancy. If you are pregnant you should stop drinking immediately.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is an extremely serious problem that can occur and it leads to children who have severe mental, physical, and behavioral problems that can last for the lifetime of the child.

There are long term problems associated with drinking. Heart disease, liver disease and certain kinds of cancer can develop gradually. Pancreatitis is a condition that can occur if a person drinks too much.

The pancreas helps digest the food we eat and also helps regulate the blood sugar in our bodies by producing insulin.

Men often develop these problems more slowly than women even when they consume more alcohol. Some of these adverse health situations can be reversed if a person stops drinking soon enough.

Many of these health problems can be treated. If you know someone who is drinking too heavily or if this is a problem that you are experiencing you should take action. Talk to the person or make an appointment to see your doctor.



Mike

George Chao asked:


nd its ill effects are all over ‘ media, internet and we have alternate person in the society actually demonstrating live, what alcohol can do. The reaction that most people have when you ask them how much they drink, is to quickly deflect the focus off of themselves and state how much less they drink in comparison to others. Everyone calls themselves social drinkers. When you press further more, they might say, they drink only beer or wine. Whatever said and done, alcohol is a menace, undoubtedly.

There are three levels of drinking: light, moderate or heavy. No alcoholic beverage is safer then another. Alcohol is alcohol regardless of the form in which it is consumed. It’s all about how much you drink. You should consider the amount of alcohol you consume and decide if it is negatively impacting your parenting skills. Successful parenting is hindered by even “light” or social drinking. As they start to consume more alcohol, parenting becomes very difficult.

If you drink, you won’t be able to spend as much time with your children. That you become intoxicated often is not a concern, only that your wasted hours imbibing detracts from your family. Adults drink most often during evenings and on weekends, the same times that children most need their parents to be available. People who drink heavily are not emotionally available to their children. Neglect is based in time and emotional unavailability.

Children imitate their parents’ habits - good and bad. When they reach drinking age, they will imitate you and drink as you do, not understanding the “tolerance factor”. Therefore, if you drink more heavily in general, your children will have a similar tolerance for alcohol. As a result of drinking too much, your child will follow in your footsteps and also drink too much causing you to lose you parental control. You can expect them to tell you to “practice what you preach”. Then there will be a confrontation, because you have become the one hunted. Regardless of how much you drink, consuming alcohol while simultaneously condemning it to your children is a sheer act of hypocrisy. Clashes between parent and child are magnified because of the influence of alcohol.

So if you are a gluttonous drinker on most days, it is time you put a limit to your indulgence. If you’re looking to maintain your moral position in order to better guide your children, not consuming alcohol at all would be the best choice. Parents need to reduce their alcohol consumption. Fathers shouldn’t drink thrice a day and overall not more than six a week. Moms should decrease their alcohol consumption by one third. Parents should spend time with children without alcohol at least 3 times a week. Do their activities. Keep working with them and build up some trust.

You have a good enough reason to refrain from drinking alcohol. You know you love your children, isn’t it true ?



Andrew

philipsmax asked:


Just ask yourself one simple question are you drinking to much? If you are how can you stop to improve your lifestyle and your health. Here are a few questions which might help you decide:

- When you drink alcohol do you drink when you are depressed, sad, or alone?

- Are your family and friends very worried about you because your drinking to much?

- Does alcohol make you forget things?

- Are you always late for things because you have been drinking the night before?

- Are you always falling out with friends and family because of your dalcohol drinking problem?

- Does your health suffer from your drinking problem?

If you have read the above questions and answered yes to any than you a have serious drinking problem, or it’s the beginniging of one. If you find that your health is suffering from alcohol then you need to stop drinking right now, as

this could and will lead to an early death bed. Also seek advice from your doctor.

If you are reading this article then you either want to stop drinking alcohol all together, or you want to cut down on your drinking habit.

Here are three questions which you should doing:

1 - You should write all the wrong and write reasons why you want to stop or cut down on your drinking habit.

ie: Is it for your health? Will it improve your lifestyle? Will it make you sleep better? Will it improve your family life. I am sure your list will be alot longer

2 - Goal Setting.

First let me tell you without setting any goals you’ll never stop or cut down on your drinking habit, it’s that simple. First you need write down small goals, like cutting down on your drinking habits, just maybe you can cut out drinking one

night a week. The thing he is you need to start and get into good habits and get rid of the bad ones.

Ok now you need to write your goals down and have then in front of you as much as you can. Put them on every door in the house if you have to, or even have them on your refrigerator so you will read them before you open it.

Your paper should look something like this:

- Goal - 1: I will cut down on my drinking problem starting

from ______________________

- Goal - 2: I will also not drink on (day of the week)

- Goal - 3: Week 2 I will not drink on two days of the week

- Goal - 4: I will always drive when we go out, so I can’t

drink

You must fill these in at all costs.

3 - Always keep a Day to Day Diary.

I know this sounds very easy but you must do this every day and not miss any out. Make sure you set your goals for your first 4 weeks, and then have a look at then after 4 weeks have gone by and see the difference, trust me you’ll be very surprised by the results, I have done this myself when I was an alcoholic, and it works. It’s not easy but it’s very rewarding.

You could even make up your own drinking diary:

Week:1

Day of Week # of drinks type of drinks place

consumed

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Anyone can stop drinking alcohol with the right help, it’s a simple process, but like I said you now need to get into the good habits and get rid of the bad ones. Here are a few tips which will help you along your journey.

Stay At Home:

Try to keep a very amount of alcohol at home.

You must learn to NO to Alcohol: Learn to become a designated driver if you go out anywhere, also you don’t have to drink to have a great time, you’ll find people who a funny don’t drink at all. Try and stay away from the people who give you a hard time, remember it’s your life and not there’s that there posioning.

Always stay active:

This is a great way to stay away from alcohol, go and join a gym, walking club, or even take up golf. They all keep you very health and there all fun, plus it’s a great way to meet new people.

Try taking a break from alcohol:

This a great way to completely stop drinking alcohol altogether, just try and stop drinking one day a week and on that day try and find a different drink to drink, I found when I started doing this I started to feel healthier and this ment spending more time with the people I love.

Beware of the demons:

You will at some stage come across the demons, which are people trying to get you to drink, yes it hard to say NO, but just remember why you are doing this, because it’s not for them, it’s you and your family and they come first in your life.

Never ever give up:

Bad habits are hard to break and it’s not easy to change things all at once, so don’t give up at your first hurdle. “Why do we fall, so when we get up we know next time not to make the same mistake”. It’s not a race it’s about the end result SO DON’T GIVE UP.

If you would like a FREE REPORT on how to stop drinking alochol try stopdrinkingadvice.org ther simple and very easy to follow steps have helped over two thousand people cure there drinking problems.



Renee