• lennybird@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    If you ever worked in a hospital or worked on the social services side of things that tune might change.

    Just like tobacco, alcohol is patently terrible for society. DUI deaths, domestic violence, longterm brain deterioration, carcinogenic effects.

    Alcohol costs society so much. Just because some can handle driving over the speed limit doesn’t mean everyone should.

    • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      11 months ago

      I have a friend in his 50’s who has been unable to taper off his drinking, and it’s so sad to watch.

      His impulse control is failing, he can hardly enjoy things he used to. He literally gave up on video games and board games because he doesn’t have the patience and they confuse him now.

      Part of that is the long-term effects of drinking every day, and the other part is being drunk every day and not being able to soberly assess, well, anything.

      I don’t know weed smokers like that.

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        But I do. While I don’t really want to defend alcohol, y’all are blaming beer for problem drinkers while defending pot because most people aren’t problem consumers.

        Back in college I knew several people whose pot habits consumed their lives. Actually, just recently I learned a player got kicked off my kids soccer team, not because they caught him (school has a zero tolerance policy) but because laying around vaping cbd oil ruined his cardio

        Before anyone thinks they need to jump to the defense of their favorite vice, these are real people with real problems. Most people can handle a vice or two, and I’d argue it’s a healthy approach to life, but some people just can’t. Some people let the vice consume them, regardless of the vice

        • Djtecha@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          Let’s also see how this all breaks out over the next decade. Seems a bit early to say weed has no negative effects for society…

      • RBWells@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I do. Abusive drinking is worse but pot can absolutely be abused. My ex wrecked his teeth and cardiovascular endurance smoking pot. And certainly could not put it down. When he finally couldn’t get pot (when we split and he didn’t have my paycheck) he eventually did abuse alcohol instead, in his 40s. Which yes, was worse at least behaviorally, more damaging to his daily life. His health is harmed still from his years smoking every day. He is clean now, goes to AA. But now is fat. Binge eats instead of drinking or smoking.

        I think probably people who are prone to addiction will use whatever they can afford so alcohol is abused more widely.