Guns and Alcoholics

[catfish86]

There are many people that can drink one or two and leave it at that. There is a certain percentage of the population that process alcohol differently than others. Some have referred to it as an illness, others as an allergy. For these people it is best not to have even the first drink because willpower doesn't matter to them once the alcohol enters their system. An overwhelming desire for more is triggered at that point for these people. However generally speaking if these people follow some program (active Christianity, AA, etc) of self reflection and connection with others, generally they can remain sober and are not "chronic alcoholics" which essentially refers to active drinking alcoholics.

[Aesinsp]

Went in for a physical a few years ago, the doctor ask me if I drank. I told him I sometimes drink up to a 12 pack a week, he said I was a borderline alcoholic! Guess I need to turn in my guns!

2 day is the recomended max for men, which you are just below. I believe many medical studies have shown that men who drink 2 a day live longer than those who drink more than that, but also live longer than those who do not drink at all. So keep it up!

New meaning to the phrase 'two-a-day'
Booyah!

[djmac1964]

Went in for a physical a few years ago, the doctor ask me if I drank. I told him I sometimes drink up to a 12 pack a week, he said I was a borderline alcoholic! Guess I need to turn in my guns!

2 day is the recomended max for men, which you are just below. I believe many medical studies have shown that men who drink 2 a day live longer than those who drink more than that, but also live longer than those who do not drink at all. So keep it up!

New meaning to the phrase 'two-a-day'
Booyah!

I actually never drink anything with alcohol through the work week, but come Sat, I may go through a 12 pack while we are setting around the camp fire in the evening, at the camper. Possibly a few more on Sunday evening, once we settle in. I never even pick up a bottle of beer until I know I'm done for the evening, guns are put away, and will not have to move from my chair, except to go to bed! And I very rarely ever touch anything other than beer.

[Werz]

2 day is the recomended max for men ...

When consumed on a daily basis, yes. That does not mean it can be averaged out. Here is what The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says:

Moderate alcohol consumption:

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.

Binge Drinking:

• NIAAA defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men—in about 2 hours.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), defines binge drinking as drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

Generally, if you think you have a problem, there's good chance you do. The classic test is to go 30 days without drinking any alcohol. If that really bothers you, it is an issue you should examine further.

[BobK]

Generally, if you think you have a problem, there's good chance you do.

Very true. "Normal" social drinkers don't walk around wondering whether or not they have a drinking problem.

The classic test is to go 30 days without drinking any alcohol. If that really bothers you, it is an issue you should examine further.

The classic test is highly inaccurate.

The better test is for someone to attempt controlled drinking. The person should commit that they are going to drink one and only one drink per day for 30 days. An alcoholic will be unable to limit himself to a single drink every day. In short order, he will find himself drunk; possibly without even understanding how or why it happened.

The original big book Alcoholics Anonymous published back in the 1930's said much the same thing on page 31:

We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take you long to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of the jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition.

[Werz]

The classic test is to go 30 days without drinking any alcohol. If that really bothers you, it is an issue you should examine further.

The classic test is highly inaccurate.

The better test is for someone to attempt controlled drinking. The person should commit that they are going to drink one and only one drink per day for 30 days. An alcoholic will be unable to limit himself to a single drink every day. In short order, he will find himself drunk; possibly without even understanding how or why it happened.

The original big book Alcoholics Anonymous published back in the 1930's said much the same thing on page 31:

We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take you long to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of the jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition.

I was trying to be generous with the 30 days, since compulsion will become manifest in most alcoholics by that time. I was thinking more in terms of this:

"If anyone questions whether he has entered this dangerous area, let him try leaving liquor alone for one year. If he is a real alcoholic and very far advanced, there is scant chance of success." Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism, 3rd ed., New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 1976, 34.

[Janardenz]

And compared with gun owners who kept their firearms at home unloaded and under lock and key, those who said they sometimes carry a loaded weapon for personal protection or who keep a weapon loaded and unlocked around the house were more likely to do things like drink and drive, and to engage in what substance abuse researchers call "binge drinking."

[Tweed Ring]

I learned as a teen…alcohol and firearms, and alcohol and professional fireworks just do not mix.

[bignflnut]

Alcohol and Barcaloungers, however, are a great fit.

[Werz]

And compared with gun owners who kept their firearms at home unloaded and under lock and key, those who said they sometimes carry a loaded weapon for personal protection or who keep a weapon loaded and unlocked around the house were more likely to do things like drink and drive, and to engage in what substance abuse researchers call "binge drinking."

While those who keep all their firearms unloaded and under lock and key, being more reserved and secretive, are more likely to be child molesters.

[WestonDon]

And compared with gun owners who kept their firearms at home unloaded and under lock and key, those who said they sometimes carry a loaded weapon for personal protection or who keep a weapon loaded and unlocked around the house were more likely to do things like drink and drive, and to engage in what substance abuse researchers call "binge drinking."

While those who keep all their firearms unloaded and under lock and key, being more reserved and secretive, are more likely to be child molesters.

Where are you guys getting these assertions? Just curious.

[Tweed Ring]

Perhaps the gentle poster was engaging in sarcasm…

[BillytheKidder]

If I were a non-practicing alcoholic, I would not be inclined to share that information with anyone who might be keeping records; this includes physicians, who might be jotting things down in my medical records. All they need to know is that at some point, X-years ago, I did drink and that I no longer drink.

[Werz]

If I were a non-practicing alcoholic, I would not be inclined to share that information with anyone who might be keeping records; this includes physicians, who might be jotting things down in my medical records. All they need to know is that at some point, X-years ago, I did drink and that I no longer drink.

And, pray tell, how would that privileged communication become admissible in a court of law?

[BobK]

If I were a non-practicing alcoholic, I would not be inclined to share that information with anyone who might be keeping records; this includes physicians, who might be jotting things down in my medical records. All they need to know is that at some point, X-years ago, I did drink and that I no longer drink.

And, pray tell, how would that privileged communication become admissible in a court of law?

One never knows where one might move years down the road.

There are states where a CHL licensee signs a medical release allowing the state issuing authority to review health records as part of issuing the license. The expected cases like Massachusetts wouldn't surprise anyone, but so-called gun-friendly states like Texas are also on that list. In Texas, if someone has received alcoholism treatment in the last 5 years, they cannot get a CHL. If someone has on their record that they ever received substance abuse treatment, it needs to be reviewed by the medical board. My attitude towards that: "nunya".

Also, look at the uproar that goes on every time something like Sandy Hook gets the anti-gunners pushing for new restrictions. What is legal today may not be legal 10 years from now.

Think of people in the 1980's who plea bargained a domestic violence misdemeanor, never dreaming that it could affect their ability to own firearms years later.

If I was alcoholic sober in AA, I would never admit that to a medical professional.