They drink, they take opioids, they smoke weed. Great country we've got here.

No, but most people are overweight or obese, and THAT is something that increases everybody's healthcare expenses.

If the amount of DUI cases in court last week is any indication, the number of drinking establishments around now is having a negative effect. A majority weren't young people, either. They were 40-60 year olds who should have known better but were there for DUI 1st offense.

And before anyone asks, I was there as a witness for an accident.

All were getting the same sentence from the judge: license suspended for 1 year, given the ability to apply for a restricted license, $250 fine, and ordered to attend alcohol awareness classes. The only one who was given a harsher sentence was one man in his 40s whose BAC was so high that he had to serve a mandatory 5-day jail sentence and his fine was $500.

MaxwellSmart wrote:What is it with all of these wineries, micro breweries, tap houses, distilleries and the sort taking over everywhere you turn? I'm not for abolition and I'm not a prude, but with all of these popping up everywhere, it's starting to look like people drink more than they work!

Well to get through these Trump scandals what else is there? On a real note, they are artisanal and part of the creative class kudos to them for finding jobs to love and producing products much desired at the moment.

It seems like A lot of people are high on something these days. If it's alcohol or smoking or drugs or caffeine. Or the withdrawal of it. Which causes people to be impatient and offended by little things. And the things listed above help them out of their misery or at least for a short time.

No, I don't do any of the things listed. Don't drink coffee, I do drink tea once a while (usually winter). And I don't have the drama that others have. Or wishing their kids would be like them.

Anonymous wrote:No, we're buying beer and other alcoholic beverages from local breweries and distillers instead of the mass produced beer. We still drink about the same amount...3-4 drinks a week.

I have observed most people in the DC metro drink more than any other place we've lived.

And, the number of 60s and 70s houses we looked at here in the burbs with vintage built in bars was amazing, never seen anything like it in my life.

we had one in our house as a kid (in the 80s) Not sure when that house was built. But it had a bar and a booth setup in the basement.

Sadly apparently a couple of my friends were sneaking drinks during my sleepovers in middle school.

Obesity and smoking is a larger one. Look at all the donut shops and Starbucks.

No, we're buying beer and other alcoholic beverages from local breweries and distillers instead of the mass produced beer. We still drink about the same amount...3-4 drinks a week.

I have observed most people in the DC metro drink more than any other place we've lived.

And, the number of 60s and 70s houses we looked at here in the burbs with vintage built in bars was amazing, never seen anything like it in my life.

Anonymous wrote:Dive bars have always been insanely popular. Now people with money want nicer places to drink. I do not believe there is an increase in drinking. My grandfather talks about he and his friends began drinking at age 12. Women used to drink during pregnancy. People used to drink at the office. Etc Etc

My grandpa used to talk about being sent down to the corner pub with a pail to fetch a bucket of beer when he was a little kid. It was one of his chores

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the majority of people are alcoholic, but society is very alcohol-centric, which as a non-drinker I notice a lot. Every event has alcohol and if it doesn't people don't want to go or think it's "lame." I think it's lame they can't enjoy an event if there's no booze.

But its always been. Its just that it used to be gin and tonics with mass market gin, or scotch on the rocks, instead of locally distilled artisinal spirits, or artisinal cocktails. Bud lite (and Busch beer!) instead of micro brews. Gallo instead of boutique wines or wines with animal names.

I don't think the majority of people are alcoholic, but society is very alcohol-centric, which as a non-drinker I notice a lot. Every event has alcohol and if it doesn't people don't want to go or think it's "lame." I think it's lame they can't enjoy an event if there's no booze.

Anonymous wrote:are most people in Europe alcoholics? they have more wineries and breweries than the US - by far!

Alcoholism is a serious problem in Europe. Have you ever seen the way the British or the Russians drink?