Binge Drinking

Gibbs · 07-Jan-2007, 12:27 AM #1

Hello,

This is a debate about the self-proclaimed "binge" drinking in the United Kingdom. Binge Drinking, like bingeing, is referred to as a person going out once a week to drink a substantial amount of alcohol to get drunk. ((And yes the UK and Britain are different I know but this is an international board!))

Anyway. I am a 19 year old living in England right now. I hear the discussion of education. BLOODY HELL! I got taught about contraception, sex, drugs, alcohol and a range of other things when I was younger. DID I CARE? NO! I AM going to drag this conversation out so their will be alot of things you can fault me on (don't worry).

I have been educated, I can guarantee. Did I go out drinking? Yes. Did I go out "clubbing"? Yes, when I was 15+ at least.

I am going to talk from a personal point of view so this won't apply to EVERYONE, I'm fully aware. Tonight I had a rare moment too myself. Yes I'm 19, inexperienced and all of that bollocks but I had a moment to myself. I watched a double bill of "Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps" followed by "The real hustle". I got downstairs and had everything to myself. No dogs (we have 2 annoying dogs belonging to my sister), no sister and no mother (yes i still live at home).

DIAMOND I thought to myself, and it was! For Christmas I got a **** load of Leffe, Stella and Brandy in. It was a BLAST! I like my own company it's true. It may sound sad but I actually had so much fun by myself just doing plain and ordinary things (watching TV). I will admit I am not a binger (to an extent). I prefer a few pints and a game of pool.

The usual binger, in my age range at least, goes out every week (or so) and drinks to get hammered. I actually enjoy alcohol and YES i've been drunk many times. So I have "binged" but as I've got older I've actually started enjoying alcohol, wether i am drunk or not.

I hear the old "we want to be like Europe" drinking talk from the Government. Don't get me wrong. I'm 19, haven't voted ever, and hold a neutral view towards the current party in power. I understand and acknowledge that BOTH the New Labour and Conservative party have both introduced new laws that have led to the current culture of alcohol drinking.

The more I read, listen and watch I can only learn and acknowledge that WE the British have ALWAYS been like this. We do not drink to be "social" but to get drunk or "tipsy" in many occasions anyway.

From my childhood. I was one those kids that was a bit too tall and looked older then my age, you always have a few. I spent me early teens (14-15) getting into clubs and pubs. Through the whole of my "drinkable" age things were TOO EASY. What I witness now is no different to back then. I had good "teen" years drinking and I don't discourage the rebellious element as I believe, personally, it has made me into a better man/person.

Unfortunately I have drifted from my original point as I've continued typing and have forgot. I apologise for bad grammar and spelling but my real point of discussion is (UK):

HAS IT GOT WORSE OR MORE MEDIA?

linskyjack · 07-Jan-2007, 12:31 AM #2

Great post-----I keep railing over the huge amounts they are spending on sex education and drug and alcohol programs starting in our elementary schools. A total waste of time and money. Then again, it supports a bureaucracy.

Gibbs · 07-Jan-2007, 12:34 AM #3

Quote:

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Great post-----I keep railing over the huge amounts they are spending on sex education and drug and alcohol programs starting in our elementary schools. A total waste of time and money. Then again, it supports a bureaucracy.

I will be honest. "Education". They can ram sex, drugs, alcohol etc down our throats but does it really make a difference? It didn't to me as a child... Yes it will affect children BUT the majority will just go their own way and I think they should accept that.

I am a smoker. They told me smoking was bad when I was 14. I have drunk A LOT of times since then. We ARE ignorant at that age but do we care?

Gibbs · 07-Jan-2007, 12:41 AM #4

I don't mean to double post but I will.

When I was 14 my Dad was in hospital in Bristol. My dad, the person I respect most in the world, taught me about the old men not having legs because they smoked. I SMOKE. Does the old "they need education" thing convince you?

Edit: I apologise, so many topics in one but ah well

Gabriel · 07-Jan-2007, 12:46 AM #5

I haven't been able to find a topic anywhere in the posts.

ekim68 · 07-Jan-2007, 12:49 AM #6

You know, I never got taught about most of that. I had to learn it first hand...However, I
didn't drink in my early years....I found later on that I had to accomplish some things while
I could...

Gibbs · 07-Jan-2007, 12:56 AM #7

Well I have always, through my later life (remember I'm only 19) heard my mum go on about how SHE used to drink when she was younger. In my opinion the good old "they need more education" talk is an excuse. Me and ALL of my friends, and anyone else with common sense, knows that drinking, drugs etc have side-effects (or are "bad").

The point is "Do we care?" and the answer is NO. The point of this thread is to illustrate the fact that an educated nation doesn't mean one that won't drink, take drugs, have casual sex etc...

According to the British government 99% of 16 year olds are literate. (I read it somewhere)

Gabriel · 07-Jan-2007, 12:59 AM #8

well than, I have to ask you why do you feel or think people warn you of the ills of the way you party?

Gibbs · 07-Jan-2007, 01:02 AM #9

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel

well than, I have to ask you why do you feel or think people warn you of the ills of the way you party?

I will respond to this in a personal way. I KNOW alcohol is bad for me. I know drugs are bad for me. I've never, personally, taken drugs, but I have drunk. The "binge" drinking is a problem but no matter what ANYBODY says in a democracy the people will do what they please within a democratic government, wether it breaks the law intentionally or not.

Gabriel · 07-Jan-2007, 01:04 AM **#10**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbs

I will respond to this in a personal way. I KNOW alcohol is bad for me. I know drugs are bad for me. I've never, personally, taken drugs, but I have drunk. The "binge" drinking is a problem but no matter what ANYBODY says in a democracy the people will do what they please within a democratic government, wether it breaks the law intentionally or not.

That is not an answer to the question I asked