Comments on: Do we force people to drink who shouldn’t?

By: anita

anita — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:30:18 +0000

I agree that a host who knowingly pushes alcohol on an alcoholic is a jerk. But that alcoholic needs to speak up. Otherwise, as the host sees it, they’re just providing good hospitality. I echo others when I say it’s a matter of personal responsibility to make sure your own glass is filled with something you can drink.

Personally, while I love wine, I’m affected by it more easily than others seem to be. A glass or two and I have to stop, so I switch to water. People do notice, and ask “aren’t you drinking”, and I say “Yes, I’m enjoying this sparkling water.” I’ve never had anyone urge alcohol on me once I’ve stopped for the night.

By: Keith Miller

Keith Miller — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:58:18 +0000

Be Responsible !!! Simple really for some not for most…..

By: Lorrie S. LeBeaux

Lorrie S. LeBeaux — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:53:08 +0000

Well, I love wine and everyone knows that I serve wine at my home. But, when I have a gathering, I purchase sparkling cider and serve it in the same flutes as my guest who are drinking sparkling wine. I consider that being a good host, and making everyone feel a part of the gathering. Also, mock cocktails and sparkling and bottled water should be available. We are not responsible for others behavior, i.e. lack of restraint, but we can offer alternative drinks as a solution.

By: Steve Boyer

Steve Boyer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:18:33 +0000

Sarah Allen Bentons blog is interesting from several perspectives.

Her conclusions fit in with someone trained to see drinking alcohol of any kind as a problem. while I agree with the point that wine is no different than hard liquor or beer, her blog seem to skip past the point that not everybody has problems with alcohol. Statements such as “if you are frequently drinking bottles of wine at a country club or often slamming back shots at a local dive bar, you have the same problem.” The assumption seems to be that drinking alcohol is the problem, not people with a problem that drink.

I also find it interesting that her premise is based on anecdotal evidence from problem drinkers (her patients), rather than from empirical studies that include non-problem drinkers. Very vague anecdotal suspicions warning of the dire effects of all alcohol for everybody do a disservice to individuals who have a real problem with alcohol as well as to individuals who do not.

Blaming the wine in the glass, or the host/bartender for pouring it, or the winery for growing or making it, on and on ad infinitum is much easier than remembering that it is my hand that brings the glass to my lips.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:11:41 +0000

John, the media does tend to hype the “wine cures everything” medical issue, but I read the S.F. Chronicle every day, and as often as there’s a pro-wine medical report, there’s another one that says the evidence wasn’t as clear as thought, or that wine actually increases some risks, etc. etc. So in general, I think the media does the best it can, in this very complicated area.