The big picture Archives - Page 2 of 4

Drink Driving, can you get it away with it in Ireland?

25th March 201725th March 2017

Are Gardai fudging the drink driving figures? This week the Irish Times reported the Gardai have overstated the drink driving test figures. They had stated two million tests for drink driving during the years 2012 to 2016 were carried out.

With about two million five hundred cars in Ireland, this means there was a one in four chance you’d get tested while driving. However, it has now emerged the real number of tests carried out was just over one million so that reduces your chances of being tested to one in eight.

It’s still a big improvement on previous years when your chances of being tested was one in one hundred and sixty. The number of people being killed or injured by road traffic accidents has reduced in recent years. There is plenty of evidence to show reducing drink driving has been a major factor in reducing the number of deaths on our roads.

More people die directly from alcohol abuse than in road traffic accidents or suicide.

Nearly 38% of road traffic accidents have an alcohol factor so there is still plenty of room for improvement. However the culture around drink driving is changed. It is no longer as socially acceptable to drink and drive.

It does seem strange though the focus on drink driving when more people actually die from alcohol abuse. This receives far less attention as we wrote here.

Will there be a bigger focus on drink driving now?

With the recent whistle-blower scandals and news of drivers being convicted illegally of various driving offences this latest problem is very embarrassing for the Gardai. They had claimed substantial credit for reducing drink driving. It now appears the figures were being misreported and undermines their credibility. Will Ireland’s first female Garda Commissioner have to resign? Will they focus on drink driving even more now?

New legislation means automatic ban from driving

Just last month, the Government approved new laws to go before the Oireachtas. These will mean automatic disqualification if a driver is found to be above the legal limits- even if’s a first time offence. This will replace the existing penalty points system.

Publicans up in arms.

The publicans are up in arms over this proposed law. They say drinking patterns have already changed and they are losing business. However they seem to be encouraging people to binge drink. They’re complaining that even under existing rules, people are only having two or three pints max where before they would have three or four pints. As you can see below three or more pints is binge drinking which is really harmful to our health- even if we don’t drink for the rest of the week.

Publicans claim drinking in the pub is safer, because they oversee what their customers are drinking, but this report shows many publicans are not aware of low risk drinking limits.

Legislation in this area is weak. In a court case some time ago a publican was found not guilty of the manslaughter of a man who died of alcohol poisoning after being served a massive eight (8) shots.

Better legislation and training is needed. Publicans need to start providing more choices for people to stay in the pub. Providing a better range of low alcohol beers or alcohol free beers would be a good start. In London there is even a pub which serves nothing but alcohol free drinks.

In Cavan, some community minded publicans are providing a free taxi service, driving their customers home.

Limits for drink driving

The limits for drink driving depend on whether you’re a novice, experienced or professional driver like a taxi driver.

Since 2011 the limit is

50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for general drivers and

20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for learner, novice and professional drivers.

You can find more details on the limits here

How much can I actually drink?

The average person‘s body can handle one standard drink per hour.

But the ability to process alcohol does vary between people. So err on the side of caution as for some people one standard drink could push them over the legal limit. So even if it’s just one drink opting for a low alcohol beer or wine is probably a good idea.

Are you thinking about drinking and driving?

SouthLady has described how she crashed her car with her young children after drinking one glass of wine. Luckily no one was badly hurt, but she talks about how she will have to live with that for the rest of her life. If you’re thinking about drinking and driving, it could indicate you are drinking in a way that is likely to cause you serious health problems in the future. You can check out anonymously and quickly whether your drinking is a problem with just three quick and easy steps here.

David ruined the wedding drinking too much

woman-in-the-middle

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25th February 201724th February 2017

Personal stories, The big picture, Uncategorised

A relative of mine ruined a family wedding drinking too much. Let’s call him David. He got too loud, too boisterous, too aggressive. Arguments were had. Tears were shed.

Everyone was upset including David

The next day everyone was very upset. David was remorseful, cloaked in shame and regret. Those affected were in turn angry and saddened. David was ignored for a while.
At the time, David admitted to me, he was using drinking as a crutch. He was using alcohol (self-medicating) to get through a difficult time. He was picking up the bottle rather than visiting a GP or a counsellor.

David stopped drinking and people were supportive – at first

When people learned David had stopped drinking in an attempt to address the problems that had caused the excessive drinking, everyone was very supportive. For a time. Soon it was Christmas and people began to ask if he would be having a drink. They expressed surprise, disappointment even, when he said no.

Was he sure he didn’t want a drink?

Just one?

These were the same people who had been so disgraced by his alcohol induced behaviour at the wedding.

Relatives bought a crate of beer as a gift

After some time, David felt able to start drinking again, in smaller amounts, and usually just at home. When his birthday came around, relatives bought him a crate of beer as a gift. Relatives who had been at the wedding and had been appalled at his behaviour.

We need to support people who are trying to drink less

We need to see that posts on Facebook about ‘wine o’clock’ normalise binge drinking. We need to understand that giving alcohol as a gift can lead to drinking to excess. We need to support people who are trying to drink less.

we need to stop the

‘ ah, go on you will’

Mrs Doyle inspired method of offering people a drink. We need to understand celebrations and alcohol need not go hand in hand.

We have made many steps forward in our attitudes towards drinking. But we still need to exercise caution. Most of all we need to listen and support those who are making the brave step of trying to reduce their drinking.

Editors Note

This story really shows why it can be so difficult to drink less in Ireland.

If you’re worried about going to a wedding drinking too much, you’ll find some free good advice here.

Yesterday, the official reports show Irish drinking has increased in 2016. So we’ve a long way to go. See here for details.

Us Irish don’t need an excuse to drink

Southlady

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22nd February 2017

The big picture

As you well know, us Irish don’t need an excuse to drink. Plenty of opportunities present themselves on a weekly basis. There is almost always inevitably a funeral or some such sort or event taking place as our neighbours seem to be dropping like flies, failing that a hen-do, a wedding, 21st, 18th, 60th or a christening or just a plain Saturday night. You name it, even if there isn’t an event to attend, drink is cheap and widely available at most service stations and supermarkets.

It’s nearly impossible to get away from it

It’s nearly impossible to get away from it. In fact, it has become socially acceptable to have prosecco at a work function as part of our networking strategy. We smooge our way around the room chugging wine out of long stemmed glasses to beat-the-band and talk all things work related or to help us decompress after a hard day or week at work.

Facebook bombards us with funny wine posts

We need only log into our Facebook to see our news feeds bombard us with posts sporting funny wine memes, drunken selfies and work function photos riddled with clinking glasses, smiling faces and glazed looks. Indeed, it has become more socially acceptable for women to drink in Ireland. It’s almost expected, if you don’t drink you are instinctively asked if you are on antibiotics, pregnant or have had a major health scare. What’s all that about? We now need an excuse to drink non alcoholic drinks?

The alcohol industry is actively targeting women

The biting reality is we have seen a rise in the number of women drinking over the last 2 decades in Ireland. The alcohol industry is aggressively targeting women in their marketing campaigns. Book and wine clubs are springing up like mushrooms and we are made to believe that it is a risk-free way to relax. It is not uncommon to find wine packaged in cardboard cartons inscribed incredulously with the words “mommy’s juice box” gracing the aisles in Tesco’s. While we may find this smugly amusing it is by no means a laughing matter.

We don’t need an excuse to drink!

Drink is everywhere! There is no escaping it, and in our bid to be more socially acceptable we are drinking more and more to fit in or to tune out which begs the question. How much is too much?

10 signs you may be drinking too much

When alcohol starts stealing time away from things that are important to you e.g. Your family friends or things you enjoy.
Increased tolerance. (needing to drink more and more each session to get “an effect”).
Drinking more frequently.
Becoming pre-occupied with alcohol and creating opportunities to drink.
If your family, friends, or co-workers have hinted or flat-out told you that they’re worried about your drinking habits.
When you using alcohol as an emotional crutch or because you have trouble coping with challenging feelings.
You feel guilt and shame the next morning.
You have started to drink secretively e.g. Needing to have a drink before you get home from work, or alone away from prying eyes.
Started to hide the amount or when you drink from your spouse or other loved ones (hiding alcohol at home)
Inability to cope the following day due to feeling unwell, hungover.

If you find that your drinking is becoming increasingly unmanageable, it is time to ask for help.

If you’re still unsure whether you have a drink problem or you use any excuse to drink, you can check out whether you have a problem anonymously on our website with 3 quick questions here.

You can also anonymously do our free course on reducing alcohol harm or learn more about low risk drinking. Both these courses are totally free and no personal details are needed. They don’t take long and you can start right away. If you only have 5 minutes right now you can save and finish when it suits you.

Your GP or Mental Health practitioner can provide support and information and look at ways to help you manage your drinking by identifying triggers and mental health issues that are contributing to your problem drinking.

Finally this website contains details of services which specialise in treating alcohol abuse.

The better way to survive long hours. Become a working week teetotaller

Carol

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11th February 20175th August 2017

Practical tips, The big picture, Uncategorised

Teetotaller Martin Mc Guinness’s decision to step down because of health issues has been widely covered. Whatever your politics when even Ian Paisley Junior praises him, you have to accept he has made a big contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The life of a politician means very long hours and is very health and family unfriendly.

A friend who was once a politician told me people expect you to be available all of the time. Even on Christmas day for the most mundane of matters. It got to her eventually. As did the amount of time spent in endless meetings where she felt nothing was really achieved.

Long hours don’t mean results

I think working constant long hours is one of the reasons why so many of our big problems are not being solved. From homelessness, mortgage arrears and mental health to hospital waiting lists. People working very long hours tend to lose the ability to question the status quo. They don’t notice something’s badly wrong. In the politicians case they seem to be disconnected from the reality of many people’s lives. Their acceptance of salary increases and failure to see the Dail and Seanad needs urgent reform. (Watch or read any Dail proceeding and it will prove this point)

Coping with long hours by drinking

Strangely, given they are in the public eye, we’ve seen plenty of examples of drunk politicians. Remember when this politician pulled another politician into his lap in the Dail? Or the then Taoiseach Brian Cowen infamous “Garglegate” appearance on Morning Ireland where he appeared to be hungover. The interview went viral and did not help our image of being drunken paddies.

It’s incredible that our Dail has not one but two bars providing subsidised alcohol. Maybe many of our politicians cope with the long hours by drinking too much? Perhaps this is why our politicians are refusing to see the benefits of the proposed alcohol bill. Most of them are being fooled by alcohol industry lobbying and putting profits ahead of the lives of the three people drying every day from alcohol problems.

I drank more when working long hours

I know when I worked seventy to eight hour weeks my ability to make good decisions became weaker and weaker. I drank more. It was a way of getting instant relaxation and rewarding myself after a long hard day. I never drank too much. Not because I’m a saint or anything, but because I get horrible hangovers all too easily. So I decided to become a teetotaller during the week. It did make a difference to my ability to get through work, but ultimately I had to leave that job. I had plenty of money, but low quality of life and my health was being affected.

A tragic example of the impact of long hours

A really tragic example of the impact of long hours is the Stewart/Conroy case where a consultant noted incorrectly that the left kidney was to be removed on a then eight year old boy rather than the diseased right kidney. Despite the parents raising concern on four different occasions, the operating doctor removed the healthy kidney, without reviewing the X-rays.

Both doctors worked very long hours of up to 80 hours a week. Both come across as caring and responsible professionals who immediately admitted the mistake. The Medical Council still does not appear to have addressed the issue of doctors working long hours though.

Airline pilots not allowed to drink for 8 hours

Officially airline pilots are not allowed to drink less than 8 hours before their shift starts. However many airlines impose a 12 hour rule, such is their concern over the impact of alcohol.

Now most of us don’t have jobs, like the surgeons or pilots where one little mistake can seriously injure or kill people, but these examples show the serious impact alcohol has on our ability to do our jobs properly.

Famous Teetotallers

As well as Martin Mc Guinness, one other famous teetotaller includes ex Taoiseach Albert Reynolds RIP. a key player in the Northern Ireland peace process. Very surprisingly, John Teeling the founder of Cooley distillery whiskey is also a teetotaller.

Be a teetotaller during the working week

If you are working very long hours over an extended period of time, be aware your decision making ability is probably impaired. Not just in your working life but in your personal life as well. Drinking while working long hours will make this worse.

If you’re stuck in a rut and don’t feel able to take action to change the long hours, do seek professional help. If this is not an option try to get some physical exercise. Pick something you enjoy. Once a week is good and better than nothing. However for real benefits, aim for 3 times a week.

Being a teetotaller, at least during the working week will also make those long hours easier to survive.

Stand clear & don’t trampoline with alcohol

Carol

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6th February 201721st September 2017

Personal stories, The big picture

It’s Saturday night and I’m in St. Vincent’s accident & emergency. 48 hours of severe vomiting, retching, raised temperature & increasing pain mean the Dundrum swift care clinic suspect I have sepsis from the autoimmune medication I’m on. This stuff means I can walk & have a high quality life. The side effects are many though, including sepsis which if not treated properly is invariably fatal.

It’s just a little food poisoning

Dundrum insist on an ambulance transfer. Scary. Sirens screeching.Crashing traffic lights. I feel worse. In all my illnesses, I ve never had an emergency ambulance. The ambulance guys are funny. They tell me I’m only in the ambulance because the Dundrum people want to go home. They ask the name of the Indian restaurant I’ve eaten in. We all agree we ‘re not eating there. I feel better, though a little stupid with all the fuss. It’s just a little food poisoning. Hopefully with some fluids & pain relief I”ll be home soon.

Crown jewels on display

We’re directed to A6. Oh good I think. I’ve got a cubicle. A6 though is just a spot with a A4 page, saying it’s A6 along the wall. Beside the drugs dispensary door & the electronic rattling shute that carries blood samples away. There’s so much stress & tension in the air. Dignified frail gentle ladies with blood stained bandages, aggressive women shouting for the nurses. Doctors taking deeply personal details from frightened people out in the open. Constantly interrupted as people move beds & equipment around them. A carer sits out outside a cubicle, oblivious that his charge has thrown off his blanket & is now displaying his crown jewels to the world passing by. It’s like I’m now in an alternative world where the words listen, dignity and respect don’t exist.

A little blue bag is my best friend

None of the Dundrum recommendations about pain relief & intraveneous fluids are followed though. Just questions, the same repetitive questions over & over & over. Luckily my family have arrived as I’m now in so much pain it hurts to talk. They answer the questions over & over & keep asking about pain relief. No.Blood tests first. No. Temperature first. Then finally paracetamol. Family protest I won’t keep down. Nurse insists I take. I promptly vomit back up into the cute little blue bag which has become my best friend. It allows me to retch & vomit without soiling myself or bothering anybody. Though thankfully the family insist on helping to support my head. That’s how weak I am. 3 long tense,noisy, hours in, still no fluids or pain relief.

Living in Ireland made me drink more to be accepted by my Irish friends

MSBG

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26th November 201626th November 2016

Personal stories, The big picture

I am not Irish but I’ve been living here long enough to have an opinion about Irish society. I’ve realised living in Ireland made me drink more.

I was weak for not being able to drink more

When I arrived in this beautiful Emerald Island, I couldn’t drink more than 3 pints without feeling drunk and dizzy. An Irish friend made fun of me and called me weak for being incapable of drinking more than that. Now after 2 years living in this country, I am able to drink 10 pints and still stand on my feet without falling over.

I took the decision to stop drinking for a while

After some time, I realised I had adapted. I drink more. Irish habits were influencing me. It was affecting my life and not in a good way. I took the decision to stop drinking for a while. I realised I was able to reduce my pints consumption.

Society shapes us

Society determines what is considered good or bad, normal or not and has a huge impact on our social behaviour. It influences how we much we drink.

I realised the need to be a part of something, part of a society where I live can be strong enough to change my perspective and my beliefs. I had started drinking too much.

Why is the pub the main social activity?

It’s true that education, ads, laws and even the opening hours of shops, restaurants, can affect and influence how much we drink. For example, I’ve always wondered why after 6 pm, one of the only social thing going on in town is going to a pub where people drink alcohol. My options to get out of that vicious circle are very limited.

People drink too much in my country too, but there are differences

Don’t get me wrong, where I am from, people drink too but I see some differences

1. It’s not socially approved to see a drunk adult.

2.The amount of alcohol it is acceptable for each person to drink is lower.

3.Going out for a drink is usually reserved for the weekends, not during the week.

4.There are more things to do in the city, like night markets, ice cream stores, juice stores open until late. It is very common to go there in the evening for an ice cream and a nice walk with your partner, friends or family. I agree that the weather helps.

Little things can help us

A simple gesture like promoting street markets that open late can help. Have more free art events. Stop increasing the amount of pubs licences and places that can sell drink. Providing new social activities that don’t require us to consume an addictive substance helps to have a healthier population. Creating a healthier society should be a top priority.

Editor’s Note

We’re near the top of the league of 194 countries when it comes to binge drinking. Click here for more details.

Join the campaign to change this by signing our petition

if you’re worried about the risks of alcohol harm, try out our free top tips to reduce alcohol harm.

Is the Irish alcohol industry like the Trump campaign?

Carol

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13th November 201628th November 2016

The big picture

Imagine if newly elected President Trump came to Ireland. He says he is going to create a new alcohol industry, creating hundreds of jobs, wonderful marketing campaigns, sponsor leading sporting organisations and pay special taxes.

But in return, 3 people would die every single day. Our hospitals would not have enough beds for everyone. The Trump taxes would not cover the costs of dealing with the damage caused by his new industry.

In fact, new taxes of €1 billion euro would be needed every single year to pay for the damage caused by this new industry.

Most logical people would say, No thank you President Trump. We don’t want your new industry.

The alcohol industry is Our President Trump

Well it’s hard to believe, but that’s exactly the position we’re in with the Irish alcohol industry. Our taxes subsidise their profits to the tune of €1 billion every year. 3 people die every single day as a result of alcohol misuse. Alcohol consumption in Ireland is still too high. It’s nearly trebled since alcohol marketing got going as you can see from the image below.

But in the same way we’ve seen an American election campaign full of misinformation and scare tactics, we’ve seen the proposed new Alcohol Public Health Bill delayed again. Mainly due to scare tactics and misinformation by the alcohol industry. In just one 3 month period there were 40 contacts made to lobby about the alcohol bill. All about the damage that would be caused to sports, jobs, tourism, taxes, social life etc if the bill was passed. Nothing about the €1 billion annual price tag to us the taxpayers or the death toll, which is higher than road traffic accidents and suicides combined.

The Dall usher had to ask alcohol industry lobbyists to stop harassing Senators.

Three weeks ago, the Alcohol Public Health bill was debated in the Seanad. The Phoenix magazine (subscription needed) reports that as Senators entered the hallway leading into the chamber they were accosted by industry lobbyists asking them to vote against the bill. Eventually a Dail usher had to ask them to stop. The Seanad did not progress the bill

Money talks

The Alcohol industry has millions in funding and uses this money to create all kinds of misinformation about the new laws and prevent alcohol being seen as a public health issue. They sponsor leading sporting organisations such as rugby. Government Organisations such as Healthy Ireland even support events which the alcohol industry sponsor such as the sports industry best mass participation award.

They succeeded in delaying the last strategy on drug abuse for over a year, preventing more effective action being taken.
You can find out more about their tactics here and here.

“We’re poor small retailers don’t harm us”

Any attempts to regulate the alcohol industry is met with calls of a “nanny state.” The industry have learned from tobacco industry tactics and set up all kinds of different organisations to lobby against effective government action to control alcohol abuse. For example, the RRAI says they represent small retailers who want responsible retailing of alcohol, but they can’t afford to physically separate alcohol from other products. In reality most of their members are the big supermarkets like Tesco who do special deals selling alcohol below cost. Then they reclaim the VAT.

It’s David against Goliath

Pitted against these huge powerful vested interests is the charity Alcohol Action Ireland. They have just two and a half staff. They’ve managed to keep the Alcohol Public Health Bill alive. It’s been watered down already since a previous version in 2008 was passed by all stages of the Oireachtas, but never commenced. So it is a real David against Goliath fight

You should be angry

Maybe you’ve blamed yourself for drinking too much. You have n’t realised you’ve been surrounded by positive alcohol messages all of your life, that all happy people drink. People who don’t drink often feel isolated and excluded. Even when we’re abroad our reputation as happy drinkers often follows us. Our culture now accepts alcohol abuse as a normal part of life. So most people now think alcohol is just like any other product you buy and not a dangerous liquid that can harm you without you even knowing.

Children believe being Irish means drinking

The research shows the majority of Irish children at just eight years old think being Irish means you have to drink. So with this kind of conditioning is it any wonder we drink too much?
Now we have a chance to make sure the next generation is not brain washed the way we are. But our politicians are giving in to alcohol industry lobbying.

Use your anger to help make a better society

I know we all got angry when we realised how well the alcohol industry works behind the scenes to make sure the Government does not take real action. That’s why we’ve emailed our TD’s and Senators. So don’t just get angry, take action.

Take 2 minutes to tell your TD’s you want them to take action.

Alcohol Action Ireland have made it really easy. All you have to do is click here to say you want effective action on Ireland’s alcohol abuse problem.

We can’t do anything about President Trump, but we can on alcohol

Reducing the €1 billion annual cost of alcohol abuse is totally possible. We could use this money to provide social housing for all homeless people and still have money left over to reduce our taxes. But we need hundreds of people to tell our politicians we want the Alcohol Public Health bill. At the moment all they’re hearing is the voices of the alcohol industry.

We can’t do anything about the election of President Trump. A man who thinks sexually harassing women is acceptable

We can do something about alcohol abuse. Together we can do something about alcohol industry attempts to appeal to women and target young people. We can stop creating another generation of brainwashed drinkers.

The Alcohol Public Health Bill is not a magic bullet, but is a first very important step towards tackling our alcohol abuse problem and changing attitudes.

Over 1,000 people have died since the 9th of December 2015 when the bill was first published.

So tell your TD you’re angry and you don’t want to subsidise alcohol industry profits any more.

Update 28th November

Further discussion on the Bill has now been deferred as Fine Gael could not agree on bill. If you don’t feel comfortable emailing your TD, please sign our petition here. Over 500 people have already said they want the Alcohol Public Health Bill.

Giving up drinking was not for me and now I’m happier

Lisa Jean Leigh

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22nd October 201622nd October 2016

Personal stories, The big picture

I am much happier since I realised giving up drinking was not for me. I had been asking for help for my alcohol use disorder for a number of years and was always sign-posted to various recovery groups that never really helped me to reduce or abstain.

Giving up drinking was not for me.

After a ‘failed’ stint in a residential rehab in July 2014 (I had only lasted 5 weeks out of 12), I was feeling totally bereft. Then I heard of harm reduction for alcohol. This approach helped me reduce my drinking without forcing me to stop drinking altogether.

Harm reduction works for me

Many people believe that the harm reduction approach is a green light to ‘addicts’ everywhere to continue using. It is an extremely damaging view and one that permeates our society as whole. Even those in the medical profession and specialist addiction services are vehemently opposed to any form of harm reduction whereby the individual continues to drink in any shape or form.

So when I found a website promoting Harm Reduction for Alcohol I was intrigued. When I started to research this method fully I became convinced that this was the right approach for me. This is what harm reduction means to me.

I now make my own choices

Anyone who has ever sought help for their alcohol use disorder (or your preferred term) will be able to tell you that it’s a long drawn out process with many hoops to be jumped before any tangible help is received. Over many years I spoke to GP’s who would only ever advise me to

“not stop drinking straight away for fear of withdrawal, and attend my local AA meetings.”

That was literally it. The harm reduction approach gives me a CHOICE. In that choice is freedom to make my own decisions around my drinking. I am back in control. I set the rules. I make the plans. I am fully responsible for the consequences of my drinking or not drinking.

I could not find the right help

Throughout my drinking career (spanning 25 years thus far), I have experienced what most of us have. Loss of control both with drinking and with how our lives become because of our excessive alcohol use. I found myself losing relationships, jobs, friendships and homes. I lost myself completely in the bottle and didn’t know of any way to get myself out of it. Unfortunately not being able to find the right help at the right time played a major part in the continuation of my ‘downfall’. I wished I had heard of the the harm reduction approach and realised giving up drinking altogether was not for me sooner.

Empowerment

When I found harm reduction and engaged with the tools and techniques it offered, it opened up a whole new world for me. It made me realise that actually I was NOT a helpless addict who was destined to die young because I couldn’t stop drinking. I was in control; I could choose the right path for me. And it empowered me to take back control of my life in all areas. My relationships have improved and my friendships have grown. I have also met so many like minded people who I can count on for support.

I was n’t stuck any more

The words ‘stagnant’ and ‘stuck’ have been uttered from my mouth so many times over the last few years. I felt stuck in this never ending cycle of drinking, abstaining, and falling off the wagon that I was about ready to die. Many times, I have just lain on the bathroom floor, bottle in hand and said (to no-one in particular) I give up. I can’t do this anymore.

I was able to grow and develop as a person

When I decided that harm reduction was the right path for me to follow, it seemed to open up so much more opportunity for growth for me than I ever imagined. I did not have to focus all of my mental and physical energy on maintaining perfect abstinence. It brought me to an acceptance that yes I had a problem, but this was not the sum of my parts. I was not just an “addict” or “alcoholic”. I just happened to fight a battle with alcohol that was being made harder by my trying to force myself into a box I just did not fit into.

Sometimes baby steps work best

I perceive alcohol use disorder as having a spectrum just like a lot of other diseases or disorders. Any one of us can be on any part of the spectrum at any given time. Sometimes we’re at the low end. Sometimes we’re in the middle.Sometimes we’re at the high end or anywhere in between them all. It is fluid and does not always remain the same. That is why some people are able to abstain from alcohol completely. Some need to take baby steps to get their consumption down to safe levels. Others still can drink normally again with or without the help of medication and counselling. The harm reduction approach is fully supportive of each individual’s goals whatever they may be, and meets people where they are at in their journey.

One size does not fit all

This is why health care professionals really need to get on board with alternative approaches to alcohol and addiction. It is not a ‘one size fits all’ scenario when it comes to recovery. Giving up drinking entirely does not work for everybody. I believe many lives are still being lost needlessly. We are not meeting people where they are at. Instead of forcing us into treatment methods that just simply don’t work for us on an individual level we need to look at harm reduction. I do hope the tide will change very soon.

Editor’s Note

In Ireland, harm reduction approaches are not generally used. At the moment legislation is going through the Dail (Irish parliament) to allow supervised injection rooms for illegal drugs. So some signs of change here, but not much progress in alcohol. This is despite the evidence that harm reduction approaches can be very effective.

If you’re wondering if not giving up drinking could work for you, try out our course Stopgo which helps you make the right choice for you.

Can’t Cope Won’t Cope Aisling and Danielle in trouble

Carol

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2nd October 2016

Social Life, The big picture

Can’t Cope Won’t Cope is the new Irish comedy drama from RTE2. It features 2 Cork girls, Aisling who works in finance and mature art college student Danielle. The girls hit the town on a regular basis to block all their problems out.

The first Can’t Cope Won’t Cope episode has events many of us will be familiar with.

Aisling vomits on her blouse

Aisling is hung over when her dislikeable boss (wow Amy Huberman) puts her under pressure to do better and Aisling ends up vomiting in the toilet and over her blouse.

The following night she deserts her friend Danielle for a one night stand and has unprotected and unenjoyable sex in what turns out to be the house of her boss.

She ends up in the chemist (again) for the morning after pill but tells the chemist she won’t go on the pill or use condoms because she only goes out with

“nice clean boys who have jobs and she’s not that kind of girl who sleeps around”

Danielle is told her work has no meaning

Meantime Danielle is struggling. Her tutor says her art work has no personality. Danielle has talent, but because she does not know what she wants her art work to mean she’s struggling. Is alcohol stopping her from really using her talent?

Initially, the girls appeared to me to be very unlikeable. But then in Coppers, you see them rescuing a young Asian man from humiliation because they don’t like bullies. Although the girls are funny and witty, overall I found it sad. You know the girls are heading for a train wreck.

Aisling and Danielle are typical problem drinkers

In Can’t Cope Won’t Cope, Aisling and Danielle show the most common kind of person with an alcohol problem. Not a homeless person drinking from a brown paper bag, shouting abuse at passer’s by, but intelligent, working, kind, people just like you and me.

Maybe my teenagers will be ok after all

What’s interesting on the twitter chat ( #cantcopewontcope) is how many people did n’t see the alcohol abuse problem.

“Surprisingly accurate when it comes to non-Dubliners living in the city in their 20s”

“20something flashback! Maybe my teenagers will be grand after all”

Yeah, if they don’t get liver disease, which has tripled in recent years! (Click here for more details)

The odd critical comment was

“Well that was shit. Just about Irish women being brats, drunk and rough”

Let’s ignore our alcohol abuse problem

So far there’s been very little Twitter debate on our alcohol abuse problem. The fact that over half of us who drink, abuse alcohol. In the programme most of the main characters drink heavily. Apart from one person who is seen as boring as she bounces up and down on her bouncy office desk seat!

I’m not surprised.This weekend the Irish Hospital Consultants association call for 6 extra hospitals to be provided. Not a mention of the fact that we have the equivalent of nearly two Cork University Hospitals occupied every single night by people with an alcohol abuse problem.

There are some rare notable exceptions. For example, Cork medical consultant Dr Orla Crosbie who features in our video. However in general, medics seems to ignore alcohol abuse. They don’t offer help to people- even when they end up in the hospital emergency department as Lucy writes here.

Check out this Medical Independent Article shown below which shows doctor’s casual attitudes to drink.

Of the 1.5 million people who abuse alcohol only 8,000 people actually receive help according to official records. No mention that alcohol abuse is one of the biggest drivers of cost in the healthcare system.

Next time, you’re waiting with a loved one on a hospital trolley, remember you would not have to wait if we took alcohol abuse seriously and provided effective help.

Can’t Cope Won’t Cope shows we live in an alcogenic society

We live in what the experts call an “alcogenic” society. A society which values and praises alcohol. Allowing us to be surrounded by alcohol marketing and then dismissing those who run into trouble as if it’s their own fault.

So if you’re feeling cut off and isolated because you have an alcohol drink problem, remember you’re not alone. Click here to find out how we can help you (no personal details or credit card needed).

You can catch up on past episodes of Can’t Cope Won’t Cope here and it continues on RTE at 9.30 Monday evenings.