not sure if my friends increased average is the results of more Crown in his glass during leagues.

Bowling league stressful?

I don't care what anyone says, if ANY of the following applies to you, you have an alcohol problem and this is not me being a jerk, judgmental, etc:

1) Need a drink to "take the edge off"
2) Need a drink to "have a good time"
3) Need a drink to "relieve stress"

No, not really. A lot of people need classical music for the same reasons, and it can have the same calming effects. Just needing a highball doesn't equate addiction....just a warning sign that you're engaging in behavior that can LEAD to addiction.

The real tale of the tape is when someone's drinking creates tangible negative consequences to their life, jobs, or interpersonal relationship and drink anyway. That's alcoholism.

(Addiction counselor by trade)

I drink 4 oz. of bourbon almost everynight before the 11 o'clock news. No more no less. But, I don't drink and bowl. A glass of Marker's or if I'm coughing, a glass of AAA 10 Star does it with its minty sharp taste. Marker's hits me in the chest, but aahhh...later

Quote from: northface28 on April 15, 2014, 04:55:55 PM

I don't care what anyone says, if ANY of the following applies to you, you have an alcohol problem and this is not me being a jerk, judgmental, etc:

1) Need a drink to "take the edge off"
2) Need a drink to "have a good time"
3) Need a drink to "relieve stress"

No, not really. A lot of people need classical music for the same reasons, and it can have the same calming effects. Just needing a highball doesn't equate addiction....just a warning sign that you're engaging in behavior that can LEAD to addiction.

The real tale of the tape is when someone's drinking creates tangible negative consequences to their life, jobs, or interpersonal relationship and drink anyway. That's alcoholism.

(Addiction counselor by trade)

I disagree, if you want a drink, just cause, thats fine. Any reason thats tied to the drink, in my unprofessional opinion has underlying issues.

Last I checked, listening to classical music never destroyed families, lives, or killed people. But maybe I missed that memo.

I'm on both sides here.  I think if you NEED something like alcohol for a certain purpose, you probably ought to reign that in, but I don't think that a drink or two at league to unwind will destroy my family, life, or cause me to kill anyone . . 

I used to need a few drinks to calm my head down so I could bowl, now I don't, but one or two helps.  Some people have extra routines or rituals, some take a few aspirin or ibuprofen, some drink a certain kind of pop or an energy drink, etc.  The very nature of alcohol is to relax you.  Just like anything else, if taken to extremes, it will be dangerous, but there's a big difference between needing something and using something to your advantage.  If a drink zones me in, I'm going to have one.  Not because I need it, because it helps. 

Does ice water count?

Sometimes I'll "take a walk on the wild side" and mix a Zip Fizz in it if I need energy, but almost always it's just water. I bowl later (second shift scratch league) and I don't want any caffeine in me, or I'll be running to the rest room all night.  Wait til you get to my age and you'll understand.

I don't care what anyone else drinks as long as they don't spill it.  Amazing how many adults should be drinking their beer in sippy cups...