Is this again a discussion about moderation?

Zonno
Is this again a discussion about moderation?

Moderation in everything except moderation! 

Not so long water could kill you and drink was the only sane choice.  
 
Definitely a generational thing, the older you are the more likely you were exposed to a Don Draper type and you end up living that way.  
 
The younger you are the more likely your role models are pot smokers or straight edge.
 
JR
 

Ya. People who drink usually get gout. Kidney disease, and the body gets older.
Then you spend money on medicine and doctors if you want to live.
 
Some people have already died younger than perhaps they should of.
 
This message has been brought to you from the Council on Life. Life sucks, so get use to it.

 
But then in the music world unlike some people and Things Go Better With Coke, Things Go Better With More Knobs To Twist.
 
 

I've played with a few musicians who couldn't stay sober.  Not fun. I did work with a drummer who could drink and hold it fairly well. But the problem was, he couldn't say no. Started drinking beer early in the day, and would drink all day long, and then into the night. At last break in the show, he'd buy a 6 pack to go. And drink all 6 on the drive home.  Easily a case or two a day drinker.  He avoided the "hard stuff" and used that as his excuse to say he wasn't an alcoholic. 
 
As I type this, he's currently in the custody of the NC dept of corrections for more DUI offenses. He hasn't had a license to drive in 20+ years but that doesn't stop him. The one that landed him in the DOC this last time was a "beer run" with no license in him mom's car while DUI.
 
Many of the others are dead, or have quit and stayed sober knowing they can't touch it ever again. The bass player in the same band..... with that drummer, was an alcoholic. I chided him one time about not taking a shot of Jack with me. He calmly explained to me what I didn't know.... that he was an alcoholic and a bad one. He couldn't touch it and he knew it. I never pressured him again. He was a mountain dew man. He's dead now.... dropped dead in a store.
 
So many sad stories along this line....and for the most part, many of these folks are or were very highly talented.
 
Me?  I never had a problem with drinking. Pulled my fair share of knee crawling in the day.... but never used it for a crutch.  As I got older, I simply set new priorities in my life and alcohol wasn't on the list. Back in the traveling band days, I'd partake in the motels and at home. Driving while under the influence was something I avoided. At shows, I used to drink one or two before the show. When NC lowered the impaired threshold, I stopped drinking totally while in the clubs.
 
Now days, I drink the occasional home brew when I know I'm not going out later. Grilling a steak almost "requires" a brew..... handy for pulling out the flare ups in the grill.... I haven't had a taste of whiskey in years....and I have a bottle of Crown in the cabinet..... just have no real desire to drink these days.
 
Like I said, I have changed my priorities around a bit.