And hopefully in keeping, I’ll offer one more aspect to the mix: often, doctors are taught to take whatever a patient says about alcohol/tobacco/drug intake and at least double it, since many people are loath to admit their “bad habits.” I have more than once seen a doc’s eyes widen when they get to the alcohol part of my form, and I have to tell them that I’m really telling the truth…

Your post is well written.

However, many countries in Europe do have serious alcohol abuse problems. I do not think it’s accurate to diminish that and I get the impression here that you are making it sound as though all of Europe that this Disney-perfect healthy relationship with alcohol.

Thanks again, everyone. It means a lot to me that you all took the time to read this post and respond.

Denial is a strong component of the mental obsession. Doctor’s may feel the need to confront in order to overcome the denial. That may not be the case with you. He may be watching too much Dr. House. But it strikes me funny that he would ask about your drinking at all unless you have some other health issues that alerted him to the possibility. Just a thought.

If I was honestly wanting to evaluate myself to determine if I was an alcoholic, these are some questions I would probably use for the self-evaluation:

1. When I drink, do I have control over how much I will consume?
2. When I drink, can I decide when I want to stop drinking?
3. When I exercise control of my drinking, do I still enjoy it?
4. When I enjoy my drinking, do I exercise control of the consumption?
5. Have I had negative consequences associated with my drinking (legal, health, relationships, …)?

My father used to tell me, “Rick, you just have to learn to sip.” I can remember sipping like a turbo vacuum trying to control my intake. There are normal drinkers. They abuse alcohol by only drinking part of their drink. (Alcoholic joke – sorry).

I think the European notion sounds like you are romanticizing to me. I know that when I served in the military, we drank together and as a network covered each other. You couldn’t tell the alcoholic from the heavy drinker. And there is a difference.

The European Union is developing strategies to overcome the problems associated with their drinking issues. [http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/my_lifestyle/alcohol/index_en.htm] – [http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200602/gl200602_p3.html].

Alcoholics Anonymous is also present in Europe [http://www.aa-europe.net/]

Anyway, each person must decide for themselves. I hope that you are not an alcoholic and that your drinking experience continues to be a pleasurable one.
Thanks for listening to me ramble. Rick.

I’d rather sit on the sidelines, wine glass in hand, and not really worry so much. Cheers to that, and to you, Jane!

You know how I feel about this and I am thrilled that you brought the topic into an open forum. You address two important issues: How much is too much? And if you are having too much, how is an accusatory physician (or anyone without a remotely open mind) going to help the situation?

It is obvious that your physician came from the physician’s version of a puppy mill: pumped out and sold off because they fit the some poorly constructed criteria. I hate puppy mills. I wonder what this doctor would say to the number of his peers who shop at Lush and even sometimes enjoy a drink with the lushes? What pills are by his bedside?

Rrrrr, I’ll be nice now.

While the health benefits and risks of alcohol could be argued for the rest of time, it is after all the epicurean way to practice moderation. Your description of your experience in Rome is not only true, it is an ideal reality (woahhh, did I just contradict?! Maybe not). Really, which is more healthy: Having a supportive group of friends with which you share a drink a few times a week, or, restricting yourself to the point of breaking and ending up on a binge that never ends? The latter, while extreme, is all too common. You did well to point this out in your post.

To me, the mental wellness benefits of friends mixed with food and drink are obvious. Come one, even Jesus did it! Cavemen did it! It is INSTINCT!

Seriously, know your limits and enjoy yourself. And don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad about it. You only live once—that should scare you but also propel you toward the right balance.

Working in the wine industry, and specifically at LUSH, has considerably altered my drinking habits as well as my perspective upon consumption. We are encouraged, and often required, to dabble in tasting EVERYTHING on the shelves…wine, beer, and odd spirits. Not all at once of course, but in small doses and snippets at a time to further understand the taste of each in context…next to other wines of the same color, varietal and region, next to wines of different varietal, color or region…on different consecutive days to evaulate the effects of time and oxidation on the liquid…with food to experience the magic of wine and food pairing. We are encouraged to play with what we drink. We drink often…generally every day. But, this consumption is measured. This drinking is facilitated at work, for work.

However, this job all entangled in drinks and drinking also impacts my social consumption. Actually, I often find myself abstaining at home after an intense tasting day at work…or switching mediums to imbibe a cold brew. And true, the Lush staff often extends our wine experience into social gatherings beyond the walls of work, but we are always totally geeking out and finding weird wine or trying unique cocktails and TASTING them. And, while we do indeed DRINK, it is almost always in moderation. Because I am immersed in drinking every day, I rarely drink more than is necessary…and usually very slowly…and sometimes not at all. It is an enjoyable, social experience to be shared with friends and food.

We certainly do not speak to YOUR drinking style, habits, or preferences. And, this unique position that we find ourselves in may just benefit from a bit of contemplation and self evaluation. But, I take serious issue with a medical professional scolding you. And, BOO for el doctor twisting a safe place with open communication to an uncomfortable, shameful experience. GRR.

So, I raise my glass to you, Ms. Jane.

Cin cin,
Rachel