A homebrewer alcoholic?

[mrduna01]

Have any of you homebrewers ever struggled with alcohol dependency? If so, have you managed to beat it and still continue with this hobby you love?

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[bren2426]

I drink a lot and I do mean a lot but I'm not dependent on it. I just recently started a diet and quit alcohol all together to help loose weight and it was easy to do. But I still do a lot of home brew. Just waiting for the diet to be over so I can start trying it out.


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[ScoobyDude]

I'm at a point where I could/should be honest with myself about the notion of dependency so I respect you bringing it up. Having said that, I've only been into brewing for 6 months and am of the mind that I don't want to guzzle down my tasty creations after the planning, time and energy that was put into it. I actually end up sharing more than I drink to show off. The store bought stuff still goes down too quick (easily 3+ a night on average), partly because I want the bottles too. At any rate, my goal is to only drink what I brew, and like I said, I don't want it to be gone too fast. Hope that helps!

 

[Clonefan94]

For those who are alcohol dependent, I do apologize, so, take this with the spirit with which it's intended.

I look at it this way, it's actually the beer that depends on me. If I don't mix grains and water, boil it with hops, add yeast and ferment it, it can't exist. So it's my job to bring beer to life. I just have to drink it to let it finish the job.

Honestly, I've asked myself this question before and to prove myself not dependent. I usually go a week or two without drinking, just to make sure it really is the taste I enjoy and not the effect it has on me. So far, it has been easy for me to prove that I am the one in control, not the beer.

In all seriousness though, if you really do feel it's becoming an issue, take the time to prove to yourself that the beer doesn't control you, if it does control you, please seek help, there is no reason to be ashamed of that.

 

[mrduna01]

I only posed this question because I finally admitted to my wife tonight that I may have a problem. Truth is I can control it in some respect. I recently lost 35 lbs while dieting and excersizing. And during that time on my own will drank very little. Problem is when i do drink i lack self control. The hardest part of admitting this problem was the thought of brewing hobby going away but at the same time i do think i am some what dependent on alcahol when another goal doesn't trump the goal of a buzz like weight loss.

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[Howiedw]

I was a full blown functional alcoholic for a time. For about 2 years, I was going through a 1.75l + a 750ml bottle of rum or vodka every other night. But I cut way down for my future SWMBO. I now only have a beer every couple of days and only drink hard liquor occasionally. I can think much more clearly these days.

And I do mean functional alcoholic. I never missed a day of work or was late to work because I was drunk or hungover. Never missed a deadline or was unable to do my job.

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[Flboy]

I hear ya! I am a gulper, if I drink anything other than beer, I am in trouble and over shoot the mellow phase every time.

 

[nvious23]

I had a large problem as when I used to drink it was to get blasted. Unfortunately I would be a vulgar disrespectful ***hole. With the help of my spouse, friends and family I was fortunate enough to save my marriage. I still love to make beer but I have a libations limit to one bomber at the most per tasting so it can be done. My realisation was my family is more important than getting drunk.

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[cluckk]

I think part of the answer has to come from asking "Why do you drink?" I hear people all the time say they drink because they like the taste. But when you remind them that after two or three they are no longer tasting it you get to the truth. Too many drink to get wasted and since I doubt anyone actually enjoys the side effects of being wasted (or at least the after effects), such people usually have something internal they are running from, or that they are trying to drown.

The biggest question is "What controls you?" If you are unable to stop once you start, then either the alcohol is controlling you or some inner problem is controlling you. I refuse to be controlled by alcohol. I have a couple a night and if at any point I start to feel even a little buzzed I pour out whatever I am drinking and switch to water, coffee or tea. I think this self-awareness is the first step to remaining in control. Funny thing is, this doesn't mean I don't go to parties or get together to drink with friends. I have been in many parties or get togethers where I was the only one not wasted because I had two drinks and quit. Does this mean I have less fun than the rest of the people? Not from my view because I see nothing fun in their behavior and have no desire to imitate them.

Many are doing a good thing by asking the question of dependency. However, if you get to the point that you have to prove to yourself or another that you are not dependent then you are either displaying signs of dependency or seeing them yourself.

If you are not dependent on alcohol then there will be no need to prove you are not dependent. Don't get me wrong. I am not meaning to wag the finger at anyone. I used to drink way too much as a young man. I hadn't learned the virtue of self-control. I still lack it in other areas of my life.

Please excuse the quote: "'Everything is permissible for me'--but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me'--but I will not be mastered by anything." --Paul of Tarsus, 1 Cor 6:12 NIV, emphasis added.

 

[neovox]

Well stated cluckk.

 

[Hello]

It's a fair question for sure and I agree with a lot of what cluckk writes. I've never had a problem identified and never had anyone seriously question my drinking, until I brewed. I think it's more of a joke, no one has really questioned with me any seriousness. My drinking since brewing has not increased. Instead, beer has taken the place of hard liquor. I don't drink the same amount of beer to make up for the ABV in hard liquor, but if I had two rum & diets after work, I find myself having two beers instead. I choose beer for the taste and not the alcohol content. I do see people choosing for the ABV over anything.

I don't question dependency because it's never crossed my mind really. I find I go in waves where I'll drink every couple of days then I just don't. I can get sick of beer or any drink for that matter so I find myself being able to take it or leave it. I brew because it is fun and I can do it with or without people. I like the time invested and I find it helps keep me occupied when I need to stay busy.

OP, there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, it's honorable.

 

[alane1]

just like a crazy person never stops to question their sanity, a true alcoholic will never think they have a problem until it's too late. The fact that someone will stop and think "am I drinking too much" on their own is a good thing.

 

[Darwin18]

Alcohol is like any other substance. People who abuse it and develop an addiction and dependency can't just have a little once in a while. It's like asking a heroin addict to try taking heroin just once a week on Friday nights in moderation.

 

[tjhatchit]

Yes, alcoholism in the craft beer industry is a problem.

For more discussion see both of these links:

• Craft Beer and Alcoholism
  
• Craft Beer and Alcoholism

Many people (including yours truly) struggle with this.

I no longer homebrew and have sold all of my equipment.

 

[DoWBrewer]

One thing I like about brewing is having control over the beer I drink. I know that I like to have 2 or 3 beers in a night, so I brew mostly session ales that are around 4-5%. I really don't like the idea of missing out on time with my wife and kids by being drunk or buzzed on a regular basis. I also make a point of taking at least one day off a week. I find it to be a nice change that I actually look forward to. I think the other thing that is important is if you drinking too much to find a another more healthy habit as you curtail your drinking. I had an ulcer last year and missed the nightly ritual of picking a beer glass and getting a beer. I started drinking more tea and coffee. I bought some nice tea pots and a nice espresso maker. I approached in the same way as beer and found that I really looked forward to that every night.

If you do have a problem, I am not sure there is clear answer. I don't think that the abstinence approach of most alcohol treatment in the US is effective. The success rate is very low. I think you have to get to the bottom of whatever alcohol is helping you escape from.

 

[Calichusetts]

I think of alcoholism in terms of consequences. If the consequences of drinking grow and nothing changes...you have an issue. Starting with hangovers, getting drunk when no on else does, etc. This grows into DUIs, fighting, spending more than acceptable on booze. If you run into these issues and don't change anything, something is off.

Self-control is a huge part of this, as it is with any substance.

 

[Malty_Dog]

I appreciate the topic as a reminder to all of us to take care of ourselves. I didn't drink nearly as much (would go months without a drink) before starting this hobby. I'm pretty much a 1-2 beers/day guy now. I was wrestling with myself over whether I should just take the week off to prove something to myself and I believe I will now. Good conversation, some great insights in here.

 

[SeeMont]

Good, well timed discussion. I appreciate the wisdom and thought that has been expressed here. The question of why we do what we do is important to consider. Lets all be safe and sane in the decisions that we make. Lets make this craft of brewing a gift of sharing and not one of just self consumption.

 

[Crito]

I struggled with nicotine. With the wisdom of becoming addicted to cigarettes and struggle of quitting (which I did), I take great strives on limiting my drinking so I won't be addicted to alcohol. If I notice that I am drinking to much (a beer or two a day). I go without alcohol for a few weeks. Overkill but I am not taking any chances.

 

[garcia]

I was asked not too long ago, "if you had to stop drinking alcohol or coffee which would it be?"

After a long thoughtful split second I realized I like coffee better than alcohol.

 

[OzMobrew]

I guess I would consider myself a heavy drinker. 3-5 per night. I never get drunk but I definitely get buzzed. I too go without beer once or twice a week just to be sure that I can. I don't know where the line is between heavy drinker and alcoholic. But I've thought about it. I've actually searched for a thread like this before, just to see what the consensus is out there in the home brew world. I never thought to start one. Kudos OP.

 

[sudbuster]

Have any of you homebrewers ever struggled with alcohol dependency? If so, have you managed to beat it and still continue with this hobby you love?

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If you're asking the question, maybe you should not worry. If it were me, I should worry more about spelling in your tittle.
Story short. I was a total Teetotaler until 1995. Then I stated drinking wine. It was great. Now I am 74 and see my friends and relatives in rest homes wasting away with dementia etc. It's my choice. I'll drink 'til I die! Feck it. DWRHAHB.

 

[petie]

I come from a long line of alcoholics and struggled with it for over a decade until I met my wife who had three kids. Up until I met her I was a case a day guy. If I opened a case of beer I didn't stop til the case was empty and that includes the days I worked 12 hours.
I had to make the decision to continue drinking and put my wife and kids thru the same thing I went through growing up or break the cycle. I broke the cycle. For 15 years I was stone sober. When my kids all hit the age of 21 I drank my first beer in years and have had control every since.
I don't keep any beer in my house, it's all in my unattached garage. I've found that if I don't have direct easy access I occupy my time in other ways. Usually constructive.


If it didn't matter,it wouldn't matter!

 

[MindenMan]

Once upon a time I had trouble with cocaine and alcohol, and after I went without both for quite some time, I realized I really didn't like coke by it self, so I gave it up.
I drank alcoholically with the coke and not without it, so I really started to enjoy the nuances of different styles of beer. Fast forward 20 plus years, and my new wife bought me a home brew kit for Christmas a couple of years ago, and I brew whenever I have the time and money to. In the last 5 years, I had more than 2 beers in a day less then ten times. Do I drink for effect? Not in the classic sense, but I think we all have a little of that going on. My wife enjoys the beer that I make, and certain ones specifically for her. (she likes really hoppy beers) I don't know what my point got to, but according the Big Blue Book if you can buy a six pack, and drink one beer a day, you don't qualify as an alcoholic, but, if after having one you need to drink the rest right then, please seek help as you may have a problem.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

I find that if all I have is water and beer at the house in the evening then I'll probably drink some water and then a beer. I have started to keep juice and milk around so I can drink those and cut back a bit. 1-2 beers is fine with me but I don't like to drink 7-days a week. One of the points on the stupid stuff section of pro brewer.com was don't kill your liver. Just because you make beer all the time doesn't mean that I have to get body damage from it. I love having friends and family come drink everything because I get to brew more often, I love brewing more than drinking, and I don't feel bad and consuming so much beer.

Alcoholism runs in my family and I am paranoid about it. I guess that is a good thing. I still think it can creep up on me.

 

[Qhrumphf]

I had my problems back in the day. Lots of hard liquor and cheap beer in addition to a bunch of other substances. Cleaned myself up the better part of 10 years ago, and since then it was just alcohol (at a much more reasonable level) and cigarettes. Then quit smoking almost a year ago.

I don't think I've got a drinking problem, although I'd agree that I'm to the heavier side of "moderate drinker". My wife's ex was an alcoholic (his poison was Wild Irish Rose), and it's a touchy subject for her. While she drinks, she's not a beer drinker. And when she drinks it's to get drunk, however she drinks very rarely. Maybe one a month, if that. Where I, on the other hand, seldom drink to get drunk, but drink almost every night.

So she voices her concerns. Reminds me I had addiction issues in the past, and that it runs in my family. So she recently got me to start logging how much I drink, both to prove to her, and myself, that I drink as much as I say (and think) I do. It's pretty much confirming what I already knew. Some nights I drink substantially more, some nights I don't drink at all, but it averages 2-3 drinks per night. But if nothing else, it's got me paying much more attention to how much I drink.

 

[TreAdidas]

The last time I was as jazzed about a hobby as I am about brewing was when I got into sport motorcycles about ten years ago. I loved it. It was all I could think about. I constantly researched riding. I’d read up on road racing techniques. I’d spend hours pouring over equipment reviews. I’d regularly practice my skills. My entire life revolved around the next motorcycle ride and I prided myself on practicing spirited yet safe riding.

As I have got more into brewing, I find myself feeling the same way. I think about beer and brewing constantly. I’m always reading up on techniques, researching gear, learning about how the pros master their craft, etc (clearly my post count shows I am a super lurker ). I can’t wait to make and taste the next recipe and compare it to the big boys.

Just a few weeks ago I sort of stopped dead in my tracks because the potential for alcohol dependance crossed my mind. I had to seriously ask myself if my spirited interest in drinking/brewing was that of an enthused hobbyist or that of someone under something’s control. Luckily I have concluded it is the former, but I have chosen to tread lightly as problems can develop. As a result decided to make some house rules as follows:

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are dry unless there is a holiday (e.g. Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc.) and I will pick no more than three days to drink out of a given week. Thus I am typically picking no more than three days out of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  
  
• Keep the high speed/high gravity in check. I will typically not speed past three beers (or two higher gravity beers (8% and greater)) in a sitting. No more than once every 14 days is cool, but every weekend? No chance. This typically coincides with the beer club at my local watering hole.
  
• I give away more than I drink myself. Someone else posted that part of the fun is sharing. I agree. I enjoy the feedback. Indeed a large part of the fun is the creation aspect of this hobby. Getting something perfected and thus impressing both yourself and your friends is thrilling.
  
• Create an accountability partner. Luckily my wife and I are both enthusiasts so we can keep each other in check.

 

[aslander]

My drinking since brewing has not increased. Instead, beer has taken the place of hard liquor. I don't drink the same amount of beer to make up for the ABV in hard liquor, but if I had two rum & diets after work, I find myself having two beers instead. I choose beer for the taste and not the alcohol content. I do see people choosing for the ABV over anything.

This exactly. I still drink to get drunk, but much much less. Homebrewing changed me in a few ways with regards to this:

1. I learned to understand and appreciate beer. Instead of going out and pounding BMC, I find myself just ordering something I haven't tried in order to further my search to improve. A lot of times, the beer selection is boring and I refuse to spend money on crap beer.

2. I think intelligent people are more prone to addiction. Brewing allows me to keep my mind busy, which keeps me from becoming bored and drinking.

3. Beer has replaced liquor most nights. I used to come home and have a few drinks. Now I come home and have a beer while my wife and I make dinner. I really only drink heavily on one weekend night now.

I think brewing is a positive thing. I think the most health adverse aspect of it now is the regular addition of calories to our daily diets.

Just remember that there are always people who want to help you. You just need to know when to ask for it.


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[Descender]

I grew up in a twelve step family. Mom and stepdad met in A.A. I was fed the alcoholism racket from an early age. Told I was an alcoholic before I had ever had a sip. I had "the gene." Spent countless hours at Alanon, Alateen, and Codependency Anonymous. While I agree people let habits get the best of them, and I have lived with drug addicts, I think the term "alcoholic" is thrown around too lightly. I have known true alcoholics, people who can't not drink constantly, but I don't think someone who drinks very frequently necessarily fits that term. My opinion is that there must be a physical dependence, as well as a psychological dependence to really qualify for that label. I also feel that the notion that nobody can be fully recovered, that they are recovering until the day they die, to be despicable and self serving to the recovery program. I also take issue to the belief that only a "higher power" is the answer to a dependency. That said, I realize that people have all sorts of problems, and that addressing them is paramount to a life well lived. If you feel like something is controlling your life, take the initiative to fix it. Rant over. Cheers

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[hehawbrew]

Please excuse the quote: "'Everything is permissible for me'--but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me'--but I will not be mastered by anything." --Paul of Tarsus, 1 Cor 6:12 NIV, emphasis added.[/QUOTE]


I think that sums it up well.

I drink less now that I've become a homebrewer. I'm more of a snob about beer and the on,y commercial beer I'll drink is too expensive to become dependent on. I appreciate beer more and like to have one heavy, complex beer a night.






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