Do you ever drink "strategically"?
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Yes, millions of people for thousands of years have done something like this. It's called liquid courage for a reason. I used to give myself exact small doses of alcohol to loosen up my introversion before social situations. If your job depends on it, it's basically a performance enhancer.
Not promoting alcoholism here, despite what I'm sure lots of comments will say. Personally, I barely drink at all anymore because it's gotten really hard on my body. Just giving a different viewpoint. There's so much addict pearl-clutching in here. Plenty of people can and do use drugs and alcohol responsibly. If you "don't need" them, great. If responsible doses help you live better, great.
Given the fact that they said they need the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine to have an uncomfortable conversation, it's a red flag.
You're right, many people can consume things in moderation, but when you see warning signs like that, warning them isn't a form of pearl clutching so much as "dude, be careful."
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
I have a drink before my DnD sessions as it loosens me up and brings me out of my shell a bit. I imagine that could be called strategic drinking.
As long as you're not relying on alcohol just to get through the day, and you can function well in your life without it, there's nothing wrong with having a drink before a tough conversation.
Humans have been using alcohol as a social lubricant for thousands of years. That doesn't make it safe, but it's also not a great evil, in moderation.
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I downvoted you because I think you're judging just a little. Not everyone is an addict.
I think they're just pointing out that using alcohol as coping mechanism can easily cause alcoholism, and therefore this post is really dangerous advice for some people.
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Given the fact that they said they need the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine to have an uncomfortable conversation, it's a red flag.
You're right, many people can consume things in moderation, but when you see warning signs like that, warning them isn't a form of pearl clutching so much as "dude, be careful."
If they drank the whole damn thing that night, then agreed, that's a red flag. OP didn't say that though. Maybe they can clarify.
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Given the fact that they said they need the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine to have an uncomfortable conversation, it's a red flag.
You're right, many people can consume things in moderation, but when you see warning signs like that, warning them isn't a form of pearl clutching so much as "dude, be careful."
I mean, did they say they consumed a whole box of boxed wine? Or just that they bought one? Could have also been on of those cartons that is the equivalent of about 2 glasses.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
It was 72 degrees wet bulb in my city a few days ago and I picked a cocktail with aloe vera, lychee, and other stuff bc I knew it would be more refreshing than something else
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I mean, did they say they consumed a whole box of boxed wine? Or just that they bought one? Could have also been on of those cartons that is the equivalent of about 2 glasses.
Generally speaking, when I've seen someone speak about a box of wine, it's the 3L one, not the smaller ones.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Not anymore after reading up on how bad alcohol is for us.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Yes, I strategically drink every day
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Not exactly like that but I don't drink very often but decide to before like state of the unions now.
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Yes, I strategically drink every day
I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a strategical drinker!
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Oh absolutely. I don't drink much outside parties (less and less nowadays) but I like having a stiff drink sometimes before doing something laborious or something requiring a bit of creativity. Nothing like a glass of whisky while messing around with the homelab servers.
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I think they're just pointing out that using alcohol as coping mechanism can easily cause alcoholism, and therefore this post is really dangerous advice for some people.
well put.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Lots of people warning you about alcoholism. Idk. I drink coffee strategically every day, and that's a drug. But also yes, I sometimes drink alcohol strategically. If I know I'm going to hang out with my sister who I love but disagree with on many many things, i have a drink or two. I try to dull my brain just enough that I am too slow to get offended at every single thing (or just don't care to, maybe?) in the end, we have a great time, I don't get all debate-ey with her, and instead just appreciate the good things about her. We don't see each other that often so I genuinely don't see any danger from this coping mechanism.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
My baseline circadian rhythm doesn't let me get sleepy until the sun starts coming up. In a bygone era, I would've been the guy tending the fire and watching over the camp until the early birds got up. In the modern era, night shift jobs are generally terrible. I strategically drink to fall asleep at a somewhat reasonable hour, so I can participate in modern society.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Yes, I barely if ever drink alcohol. I'm not social and hate talking to people or crowds, I'm also pretty ND so I can't fake or pretend I give a shit about what other people are talking.
Alcohol helps a lot, if I have to meet whoever and their friends and they're asking me about work or how I would design an app that does blah blah I definitely need to be like 4 beers in to tolerate that conversation.
That being said I don't drink for things like school presentations or other events that require me to speak, like conference stuff. I just bite the bullet and it sucks, but I'd rather be sober and speaking coherently than feeling like I am.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
I like to have a drink but hard NO to doing it before anything important. I strongly prefer to feel clear headed for those moments.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
Uncomfortable? I'd prefer caffeine for that.
Alcohol might compel me to say something I'd regret.
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Just bought box wine the other day cuz I knew I had to have a super uncomfortable conversation that could not be avoided and I needed to be anaesthetized for it
It worked and I know in retrospect I really needed it to be that way
Edit/Update: person I had convo with just texted me and apologized for combativeness and I mutually apologized for not dealing with it sooner and we're along and on to solution mode. The system works, please dont drink if you dont have too but dont forbid yourself from using a tool to improve your situation and try to always be honest. The less you lie or hide, the less influence you will have to unnecessarily drink
As a general policy I don't drink alcohol if I feel I need a drink.
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Lots of people warning you about alcoholism. Idk. I drink coffee strategically every day, and that's a drug. But also yes, I sometimes drink alcohol strategically. If I know I'm going to hang out with my sister who I love but disagree with on many many things, i have a drink or two. I try to dull my brain just enough that I am too slow to get offended at every single thing (or just don't care to, maybe?) in the end, we have a great time, I don't get all debate-ey with her, and instead just appreciate the good things about her. We don't see each other that often so I genuinely don't see any danger from this coping mechanism.
A caffeine addiction and an alcohol addiction are two completely different beasts though.
