Is the alcohol problem in our communities downplayed?

[duncanthetall]

I feel like alcohol is overlooked a fair amount simply because its legal to drink. Maybe working in a liquor store leaves me kinda jaded, but fuuuuck. Its crazy seein people my age, early 20s, who come in and buy liquor every day. I feel like alcoholism is kinda looked over cause its just kinda part of damn near every social event and family gathering.

 

[Ghostface Trillah]

it is. most of our community spends a lot of time "running from and escaping" problems instead of dealing with them and we use alcohol and drugs to do that. its not being used responsibly, people are abusing it to escape reality instead of fix reality and it only leads to a harsher reality when that pint a night for years turns into you needing a liver that you'll never get.

 

[Black]

realizing I was an alcoholic was one of the hardest things I had to deal with.

 

[Nino Brown]

It's a real problem

Some people may call it an addiction, some may say people get possessed by a demon through alcohol. It's just different cultural ways of looking at the same thing.

It's cliche but poverty and escapism through vices like alcohol go hand in hand. Especially when we have liquor stores everywhere open most of the time.

You're probably not from the hood if you don't have a drunk uncle.

 

[LA Fisher]

Alcohol and depression are huge in our community. I know so many black men who are turning to the bottle at a young age because they can't cope with reality.

 

[duncanthetall]

it is. most of our community spends a lot of time "running from and escaping" problems instead of dealing with them and we use alcohol and drugs to do that. its not being used responsibly, people are abusing it to escape reality instead of fix reality and it only leads to a harsher reality when that pint a night for years turns into you needing a liver that you'll never get.

Right. Its like there's this cute lil shorty who comes in every day and gets a pint of 1738. And its literally every day after work, and she seems all stressed out n shyt every day. Gotta be a better way to deal with your problems, but people don't really have another way like that.

 

[CrimsonTider]

Right. Its like there's this cute lil shorty who comes in every day and gets a pint of 1738. And its literally every day after work, and she seems all stressed out n shyt every day. Gotta be a better way to deal with your problems, but people don't really have another way like that.

that 1738 is amazing.

 

[LA Fisher]

The worst part about alcoholics in our community is, most of them are functioning alcoholics. Good luck convincing them they drink to much

 

[Ghostface Trillah]

Right. Its like there's this cute lil shorty who comes in every day and gets a pint of 1738. And its literally every day after work, and she seems all stressed out n shyt every day. Gotta be a better way to deal with your problems, but people don't really have another way like that.

I work in a club, its really amazing and sad how many people are slaves to liquor. Its supposed to enhance your good times not create them while keeping your mind off of bad times.

I mean no one in the hood provides an alternative to "drinking away the pain" from a legal standpoint. We don't have a lot of places that will help/counsel you with issues problems.

An old head told me once "drinking to forget is the worst thing you can do cause you end up with the old pain you wanted to forget and a new pain you didn't need"

 

[BlackAchilles]

I think people know it's there ... they just feel like it's always been that way, and there's nothing to do really.

 

[The 2020 New Member]

I don't think it's talked about often enough. And it's hard to tell someone or admit there is a problem because drinking alcohol is a normal thing to do. I drink heavily but it's almost always social now (2 beer, 2 shots is more than enough for a day) because I'm out a lot and why the hell not. Normally it's comped. I also decline a lot of drinks so I don't think I have a (serious) problem. I could take it or leave it but I do really enjoy drinking.

I know some brothers and sisters that can't function without a drink, though. It's so sad but what can you say? They're already depressed and when you bring it up they get sooo defensive. If it's downplayed, it's by the alcoholics. By the time you reach 21 most people are aware of the adverse health effects of drinking alcohol. It's also a relatively easy addiction to hide if you can keep your shyt together.

Call me a hypocrite but the worst is with black girls. They go in and be ready to fight your ass for no reason. Then not even remember the next morning. Then they be looking at you like " Why is my jaw broken? Are we in the ER?". I just give 'em the and finish eating my turkey sandwich.

 

[Originalman]

Shame folks use to discuss it back in the 80s and 90s. I say it is as big of a problem in poor black inner city communities as the dumping of drugs and guns is in these same communities.

 

[Originalman]

I don't think it's talked about often enough. And it's hard to tell someone or admit there is a problem because drinking alcohol is a normal thing to do. I drink heavily but it's almost always social now (2 beer, 2 shots is more than enough for a day) because I'm out a lot and why the hell not. Normally it's comped. I also decline a lot of drinks so I don't think I have a (serious) problem. I could take it or leave it but I do really enjoy drinking.

I know some brothers and sisters that can't function without a drink, though. It's so sad but what can you say? They're already depressed and when you bring it up they get sooo defensive. If it's downplayed, it's by the alcoholics. By the time you reach 21 most people are aware of the adverse health effects of drinking alcohol. It's also a relatively easy addiction to hide if you can keep your shyt together.

Call me a hypocrite but the worst is with black girls. They go in and be ready to fight your ass for no reason. Then not even remember the next morning. Then they be looking at you like " Why is my jaw broken? Are we in the ER?". I just give 'em the and finish eating my turkey sandwich.

Also these alcohol companies are paying folks off so they don't attack them any more.

 

[The 2020 New Member]

Also these alcohol companies are paying folks off so they don't attack them any more.

Man, that might be the worst part about it. I tell jokes in Vegas and that shyt ain't no joke. I know a few nikkas that are banned for telling the truth. Let me say something negative about drinking or gambling and I will have to move the fukk out of here. Or find a new career. It's so deep.

edit: i love drinking and gambling.