Why do you drink alcohol?

[Anonymous]

Many thanks to PP who cited the meta-analysis linked above. It is refreshing to be able to discuss based on refereed results.

From the (corrected version of the) refereed study cited above, and yes, I am cherry picking a single sentence:

"In the fully adjusted model, there was a nonsignificantly increased risk of all-cause mortality among drinkers who drank 25 to 44 g per day (RR, 1.05; P = .28)..."

One could rephrase that direct quote - without changing the meaning - as:

"In the fully adjusted model, there was no significant increased risk of all-cause mortality among drinkers who drank 25 to 44 gper day (..."

In turn, that could be phrased - without changing the meaning - as:

"Drinkers who drank 25g to 44g per day did not have significant increase in all-cause mortality." (Compared with lifetime non-drinkers.)

PP who cited the paper said that no net benefit exists from moderate drinking. The cited refereed paper indeed supports that statement from PP.

The cherry-picked sentence from that paper supports the claim that very moderate drinking does not significantly increase all-cause mortality. This means that being a very moderate drinker and a lifetime non-drinker statistically have the same risks (i.e., no significant difference in all-cause mortality risks).

Now, the cited paper also said that white males were over-represented in the original studies included in the meta-analysis. This is entirely plausible, simply because fewer medical studies are done outside US, Canada, and Europe than are done in those areas. Further, at least in the US it often is more difficult to recruit medical study participants from ethnic minorities. Studies with large populations are both more difficult and more expensive to execute, especially when trying to get a large enough sample of participants from ethnic minorities. So the original studies might (i.e., unclear; needs more research; not sure) have more validity for white males. In this case, I believe white is being used as a synonym for European ancestry.

So very moderate drinking seems fine, according to the cited study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once I realized I have less total fun when I drink than when I don’t drink, I stopped.

I am more fun when I drink. If we go out and I don't drink, then everyone is disappointed. I don't get sloppy, but my nerves go down and my wit comes out.

Still I've cut WAY back, and rarely drink at home. If I'm stressed about something, drinking might calm that one stress, but increase my anxiety over all. I don't need to be fun and witty at home.

[Anonymous]

to be chattier and whoop it up with friends. to let loose. to take a brain vacation.

[Anonymous]

My husband who rarely drank died of cancer. My mother who smokes every day since she was 16 is still alive (83 years old).
We all die.
Life is short.
If you don’t drink- that’s fine.
If you do drink- that fine too.