Are we all wrong about alcohol?

[Hibbyradge]

I found this article on the BBC news website. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15265317)

It raises some interesting points.

Thoughts?

[hibsbollah]

Very thought provoking and challenged a lot of the assumptions i had about drinking and anti-social behaviour. Its definitely a national, cultural problem We have.

Although last night I had 6 pints rounded off by two double auchentoshans in the cask and barrel and feel very ropey today, so im probably not best placed to make any moral judgements.

[Andy74]

I've believed that for a long time. You have to pre disposed to do certain things to do them, alcohol is just the excuse to act them out. Judging by the comments on the site there's a long way to go before that message is understood!

[Alec Splode]

"...In fact, you will be able to get roaring drunk on a non-alcoholic placebo." :partyhibb:cheers::partyhibb

[Twa Cairpets]

Some of the report is based on the comparison with per capita drinking within "integrated drinking cultures"


...This variation cannot be attributed to different levels of consumption - most integrated drinking cultures have significantly higher per-capita alcohol consumption than the ambivalent drinking cultures.

Just not true according to WHO per capita consumption of alcohol figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption) which kind of scuppers her whole argument.

Even within that, the nature of consumption (weekend binges v a couple of beers/wine a night every night) make a dramatic difference.

I dont know what her angle is, and the insufferably smug coffee analogy at the end of the piece makes you want to scream at the screen, but the foundation of her argument being fundamentally flawed by and large negates the conclusions drawn from it.

[hibsbollah]

Some of the report is based on the comparison with per capita drinking within "integrated drinking cultures"



Just not true according to WHO per capita consumption of alcohol figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption) which kind of scuppers her whole argument.

Even within that, the nature of consumption (weekend binges v a couple of beers/wine a night every night) make a dramatic difference.

I dont know what her angle is, and the insufferably smug coffee analogy at the end of the piece makes you want to scream at the screen, but the foundation of her argument being fundamentally flawed by and large negates the conclusions drawn from it.

I suppose it depends how you define 'integrated drinking cultures'. I read it as countries such as France have less ASB problems than us, hence have a more integrated drinking culture, but they have a higher level of consumption. Which suggests there IS something cultural at work.

But as im hungover today my logic might be off a bit :greengrin

[Dashing Bob S]

Some of the report is based on the comparison with per capita drinking within "integrated drinking cultures"



Just not true according to WHO per capita consumption of alcohol figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption) which kind of scuppers her whole argument.

Even within that, the nature of consumption (weekend binges v a couple of beers/wine a night every night) make a dramatic difference.

I dont know what her angle is, and the insufferably smug coffee analogy at the end of the piece makes you want to scream at the screen, but the foundation of her argument being fundamentally flawed by and large negates the conclusions drawn from it.

It didn't ring true for me either, or at least felt ludicrously overplayed in order to make the point.

Only an idiot would argue against the notion that in the West, particularly in Scotland, that we have a long-standing problem with aggression. I've no doubt it all has cultural roots. But to say it isn't in some way assisted and enabled by heavy alcohol use and abuse seems to me a bit disingenuous. Yes, it would be better if we were more relaxed about drink like the Italians and Spaniards and integrated it into our social life through meals etc. Basically because food absorbs a lot of the impact and makes us sleepy rather than fueled up. Also, it's a universal across all countries, including these ones, that most of the murders of strangers take place when the perpetrator has significant amounts of alcohol in their bloodstreams.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that alcohol industry has directly or indirectly contributed to the funding of this 'research'.

[aliman82]

It didn't ring true for me either, or at least felt ludicrously overplayed in order to make the point.

Only an idiot would argue against the notion that in the West, particularly in Scotland, that we have a long-standing problem with aggression. I've no doubt it all has cultural roots. But to say it isn't in some way assisted and enabled by heavy alcohol use and abuse seems to me a bit disingenuous. Yes, it would be better if we were more relaxed about drink like the Italians and Spaniards and integrated it into our social life through meals etc. Basically because food absorbs a lot of the impact and makes us sleepy rather than fueled up. Also, it's a universal across all countries, including these ones, that most of the murders of strangers take place when the perpetrator has significant amounts of alcohol in their bloodstreams.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that alcohol industry has directly or indirectly contributed to the funding of this 'research'.

Look no further. The British Medical Journal non too impressed with the articles author, their organisation or sponsors :- http://www.bmj.com/content/319/7211/716.1.full