Sober people will die sooner than drinkers

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
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cheers.gif
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
Wow. I dunno, I don't think I'm convinced though. Moderate drinking, from what I gather, does have benefits. But heavy drinking over no drinking? Eh, I dunno.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
106
I'd like to see the study (it is spoken about, but not referenced in the article). The last study that came up with similar conclusions was found to be flawed because it basically looked at hospital patents that died, and tried to figure out if they were drinking or not. The problem? Many patents in the hospital aren't ALLOWED to drink. Thus the results were skewed to suggest that drinking led to a healthier life.

A good counter to this study is the fact that active mormons have a statistically higher life expectancy then the rest of the population.
 

bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
A good counter to this study is the fact that active mormons have a statistically higher life expectancy then the rest of the population.

Wow. Who would have guessed that having more than 1 wife would actually be GOOD for your health??
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
106
Wow. Who would have guessed that having more than 1 wife would actually be GOOD for your health??

Mormons don't have more then one wife (and haven't for the past 120 years.)

There is a break off group that does, however, it should hardly be what you think of when you think "mormon".
 

KB

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 1999
5,406
389
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They seem to put a high value on alcohol as a social lubricant for aiding friendships and mental health. I would be interested in seeing how solitary drinkers fare in the study.

These studies don't seem that difficult to believe. In grape growing stressing the plant can often aid it later in life. When it comes to the human body stressing the body with excercise or with vaccines also aids the bodies health. Perhaps alcohol has a similar stressing and strengthening effect.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
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They seem to put a high value on alcohol as a social lubricant for aiding friendships and mental health. I would be interested in seeing how solitary drinkers fare in the study.

These studies don't seem that difficult to believe. In grape growing stressing the plant can often aid it later in life. When it comes to the human body stressing the body with excercise or with vaccines also aids the bodies health. Perhaps alcohol has a similar stressing and strengthening effect.

Ethanol is a de-stressor. Not a distress-or.
 

wheresmybacon

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
3,899
0
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As a recovering alcoholic who abstains from drink, all I can say is, if it works for ya, more power to ya.

One drink for me and the likely outcome is a prodigious bender, usually ending in a trip to detox or me waking from a blackout in jail. Or me not waking up. And I can't have that.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
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As a recovering alcoholic who abstains from drink, all I can say is, if it works for ya, more power to ya.

One drink for me and the likely outcome is a prodigious bender, usually ending in a trip to detox or me waking from a blackout in jail. Or me not waking up. And I can't have that.

That sucks. I don't understand people like you.

I can have a grand time getting drunk like crazy one day and not drink again for months. I can have a beer or two at a party or bar and not desire any more. I can even go to a wine tasting without getting drunk.

What is it about ethanol that drives you crazy?
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
That sucks. I don't understand people like you.

I can have a grand time getting drunk like crazy one day and not drink again for months. I can have a beer or two at a party or bar and not desire any more. I can even go to a wine tasting without getting drunk.

What is it about ethanol that drives you crazy?
He's an addict. You don't understand him b/c obviously you haven't been there.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
0
He's an addict. You don't understand him b/c obviously you haven't been there.

But I'm pretty sure there is nothing physically addictive about ethanol, which is why I feel no need to ever "desire" a drink for the sole purpose of having a drink. I mean, most of them are nasty though the more delicious ones like champagne are just sweeter and fruitier.
 

pmv

Lifer
May 30, 2008
14,207
9,049
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Can't be bothered reading the actual linked article, sorry.

But does the study account for the fact that many people give up (or don't start) drinking precisely because they already have health problems? And does it account for the fact that not drinking in the West is somewhat unusual, hence those who choose not to drink are not necessarily a randomly selected sample (i.e. some of them might be a bit weird!).

Would be interesting to see this study done in cultures where not drinking is the norm and its the drinkers who are the freaky ones.

Also, the thing about drink-driving is its the driving that kills you, not the drinking. Any studies on the life-expectancies of drivers vs non-drivers?
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,227
13,487
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Originally Posted by MJinZ
That sucks. I don't understand people like you.

I can have a grand time getting drunk like crazy one day and not drink again for months. I can have a beer or two at a party or bar and not desire any more. I can even go to a wine tasting without getting drunk.

What is it about ethanol that drives you crazy?

He's an addict. You don't understand him b/c obviously you haven't been there.

I have been there. Never busted for DUI, but spent a night or two in the drunk tank...I can have a social drink or two on occasion nowadays. I don't rarely drink a 12 pack of beer in a year, but I still have a well-stocked liquor cabinet...most of which haven't been touched in 4-5 years.

I realize many alcoholics can't ever drink again, but not all have that weakness about booze. Many of us can control the beast once we've beaten it.