why is alcohol legal: the george best/opening hours thread

As a 20 yr alcoholic myself, I understand how you feel.
But I guess I see myself as an alcohol 'user', rather than an alcohol 'abuser'.
But that is not to say I don't have reservations about its effects, or that I probably shouldn't drink less than I do.
Still, I am definitely a 'functional alcoholic' - so far - but maybe I would feel forced to resort to more harmful 'de-stressors' if I didn't drink.
It has become my quick-and-always-effective 'de-stresser' at the end of every day, but I take measures to avoid overindulgance.
I drink to relax, rather than to 'feel good' - if I start feeling good I know I've had too much.But isn't there that potential in some people to overindulge in something - whatever they find most to their liking at the substantive level, and then fail to control those impulses?Check out this story: Instant Millions Can't Halt Winners' Grim Slide - The New York TimesExerpts:"CORBIN, Ky., Nov. 30 - For Mack W. Metcalf and his estranged second wife, Virginia G. Merida, sharing a $34 million lottery jackpot in 2000 meant escaping poverty at breakneck speed.Though they were divorced by 2001, it was as if their lives as rich people had taken on an eerie symmetry. So did their deaths.In 2003, just three years after cashing in his winning ticket, Mr. Metcalf died of complications relating to alcoholism at the age of 45. Then on the day before Thanksgiving, Ms. Merida's partly decomposed body was found in her bed. Authorities said they have found no evidence of foul play and are looking into the possibility of a drug overdose. She was 51."I think we have to be careful before we put ALL blame on someone's drug of choice in self-destruction. It doesn't mean it wil end that way for all users. Some people have to be held responsible for their own destruction, regardless of the 'tool' they select.
So it was for George Best...

1. Yes, of course. Although I am in pretty good physical condition and there are no real negative symptoms. (yet ?) Hopefully I remain below the consumption threshold for acute consequences.2. No, I think a lot of people use different things to relax. I seem to have reached a sort of equilibrium with alcohol, although I suppose I might be better off using meditation techniques or something non-chemical. I guess I have to admit being more uptight than most and I feel pressured a lot from work, although I know a lot of it is self-inflicted. Also, I am very much a creature of routine and when I get home and start to cook dinner, I have a few drinks in the course of it - then eat. Maybe one more drink after dinner. Habits are hard to change.

I used to do a lot of cycling (literally 100's of miles a week).
Now, carpentry and home renovation consume most of my weekends, but I still lift weights 2-3 times a week (early mornings before work).
I also have a very active dog that requires a lot of exercise, although my wife helps a lot here - she needs her exercise too I intend to resume cycling on a regular basis again once I finish my house. And yes - I regularly enjoy a couple of beers after a long ride.

Well I have been doing so much work-related writing I haven't had much of a chance to 'hang out' here. As a scientist working in agriculture, I don't ever seem to get caught up until around this time of year. Still, I do check back once in a while to see if there is a topic that might motivate me to put in my 2 cents worth. The best motivation is feedback like yours (thank you) - the opportunity to enhance scientific understanding in others. Now back to this book chapter I am supposed to be working on...This message has been edited by EZscience, 12-09-2005 12:00 PM