Since we retired 3 years ago & started travelling for a total of around 6 months per year we didn't realize just how much alcohol retirees were drinking. We enjoy a glass or 2 of wine just like anyone else but we're concerned about others who overdo things.
It could be a ''boredom thing'' but we've noticed many others regularly starting their regular daily drinking as early as 3pm. Doctors recommend at least 2 alcohol free days per week preferably more. Liver damage in older people is extremely common.
We've also noticed lots of drivers having a skin full until late at night before pulling out early the next morning. Not a good idea as far as road safety is concerned.
We're not wowsers & very much enjoy a few drinks & socializing with other travellers.
What do you think about excessive alcohol consumption in ''old age''?
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
I figure that is their own business if they wish to imbibe. They have obviously got this far and have earn't the right to please themselves as long as they are not hurting anyone else. Who are we to adjudicate on what is excessive?
Yep, have to agree with you. Its sad fact of life. we are both guilty of having one extra, if we are saying longer term with all our other gang over in the west. Some more then others fine comfort in the bottle for lots of reasons.
We are both still working till July next year. My wife is a high school teacher of 30 plus years. Everyone of her colleagues, are big drinkers and they all say they could now not cope with the job without it. (very sad) the stress of the job is so heavy. Both of her depities are resigning at years end.
I just recently was doing a private job for client who has been retired two years as a principal of a Sydney high school. The client went back to bed everyday for three hours for six months, to get over the job. They both drink more now then ever before.
My job is high pressured. I work for myself , and after work we both sit down and have two glasses per night.
The biggest problem that our society is facing now, Is the use of the drug ICE. It is now effecting entire communities as a whole. Kids through to retires are using this stuff.
Its the DEVIL FROM HELL. It destroys families that I see every week.
The government is throwing mega dollars at it, its out of control. Bigger then you can ever imagin. TRY TO IMAGIN IT THEN x TEN......ITS THAT BIG .
Regards Jim & Lambie
We are now looking forward to our early retirement.
Your life is so short, the years are just flashing by for us, its TIME. And its our time
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Monday 13th of July 2015 08:36:56 AM
My observations of others around have been similar too. To be honest we usually avoid the happy hours as they are too 'over the top' for us. Just strike up a simple conversation with some other people around.
However as pointed out it is their business, but well worthy of discussion here IMHO.
I think this is one of the big expense for some people , We can manage to be on the road on a pension and live well cook our own food and no Bar tab and poke money , We get our high out of life , One of the danger of motor home owner on the road with drinking they are in charge of a vechile and can be booked for over the limit in charge of the vechile
Further to Hey Jims post alcohol is still our biggest drug problem not ice, ask health workers, hospital emergency staff, ambos and experts in the area of drug rehabilitation. The shock jocks on radio grab hold of the topic and because they make it a popular subject the pollies jump on the band wagon. This is not to discount the problem of ice, it does devastate families just as alcohol does.
Totally agree with Desert Dweller. In our experience, way too many "happy hours" descend into piss-a thons with little consideration given to others in the campground who prefer a quiet time.
Thankfully, there are still many places well away from the maddening crowd and that's where you'll find us. But please don't try too hard.
Having been involved in a specialised type of transport since my early 20's I have always had to be zero alcohol while behind or in charge of a vehicle so still don't over indulge in the good drop. Happy hours maybe 2-3 std drinks max and if on my own I might have only 1 std drink and sometimes don't even bother.
Gee even at Greens Lake, the happy hour capitol I put a stop to going to a happy hour every night and not because of people over drinking, infact I haven't seen a lot of that anywhere really. Not saying it doesn't happen though. Sometimes it just gets too much. I don't mind my own company at times. Nothing wrong with the people just some time to myself or just me and my next door neighbour. I do love meeting people though, especially from this forum.
Due to my previuos life I arranged a few Alcohol Awareness Courses for staff so attended them myself and know exactly how much I can drink the night before, when to stop drinking and be zero the next morning. Believe me you can't drink much at all. Like mentioned by someone earlier I too am amazed at the number of people that drink heaps the night before and behind the wheel early next morning.
It's not my roll to judge these people though, as they are adults and run their own life.
I remember going to a family celebration many moons ago and was not working the next two days but was driving home. I had 3 Scoth and Dry's for the night and while driving home a blue light appeared from know where, when asked if I had anything to drink, was honest, he tested me and the comment was "did you say you had 3 drinks? Yes, well if I were you I would go back and tell them to put scoth in your drink next time as you have come up zero". It was only one hour after my last drink. I knew I was ok but zero?
I now carry my own breatherliser in the tug and have it calibrated every 12 months, to be sure to be sure.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
After my heart attack my doctor told me to take up drinking red wine, saying one or two glasses would be good for me. So I reckon that if two is good, six or eight must be even better!
This has always been a hard one for me, I was in the RAAF for 12 years, drinking to excess was unfortunately part of the military culture at that time.
One morning a very hungover fellow I was working with near killed both of us being an idiot. I made a promise to myself that day that I would never over indulge again, so far I have been true to my word. We will have a sociable wine or scotch but never in excess. Despite the fact I can look out my window and see a shed with 750,000 litres of fine wine, I wont drink till im stupid. Already there hey Dougwe?
Enough said, I love the happy hour, agree with Dougwe that 2 or three standard drinks is enough.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Have to agree with a lot of what has previously been said.
Not all happy hours go on forever or are totally about alcohol consumption or worse still.."my caravan/vehicle/bank account/ travel experiences are bigger/ brighter/ better than yours" Unfortunately there are a few that are that way , so the choice is ours to join in or not!
Sometimes we do, quite often we don't. Sometimes we are all talked out by happy hour time!
I enjoy a glass or two of red after tea and I believe its up to the individual what they drink. My thoughts are that if I am driving a truck over a certain weight I have to have a zero reading but this is not so for a person driving a motor home or tug with a caravan, the size and weight of which can often be more than a truck. Isn't about time the licencing for recreational vehicles was looked at. No one wants more legislation but as outfits get bigger and bigger perhaps it should be looked at. Keith
I too enjoy a good quality red or the occasional bourbon but I am very much against those that consume large quantities of alcohol at happy hours etc it's not the first time that I have taken my thermos coffee mug to a happy hour especially if we are driving next day definitely only one or at most two standard drinks.
If you want to have a big happy hour with copious quantities of alcohol and plan to drive next day please think twice because I may be on the road too and I don't want to be hospitalised of killed by a drunk driver.
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I too enjoy a good quality red or the occasional bourbon but I am very much against those that consume large quantities of alcohol at happy hours etc it's not the first time that I have taken my thermos coffee mug to a happy hour especially if we are driving next day definitely only one or at most two standard drinks.
If you want to have a big happy hour with copious quantities of alcohol and plan to drive next day please think twice because I may be on the road too and I don't want to be hospitalised of killed by a drunk driver.
I make it a rule: If I drink I do not drive if I am going to drive I will not have even one drink.
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I only get p155ed to give others something to worry about and keep them occupied. I definitely don't have a drinking problem... unless of course I run out of grog... hic.
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I have drunk heavily ever since the age of 16 (yes, keg parties at 16 as a first year Tech in Training).
At my retirement function some 42 years later, it was noted that I had a reputation of taking colleges out on the booze the night before & as the only one with out a massive hangover, would ram my agenda thru the next day. After my first performance review I was never taken to task again for under spending my entertainment allowance. In the final few years of my working life it was the usual task to travel from Bris. to Perth on every 5th Saturday ... Heart starter at Bris Golden Wings (free of course) at 10am ... free booze on the way to Adelaide, then straight up to Golden wings for some more & a late lunch while waiting the connecting flight, then more free stuff between naps on the way to Perth. The last thing that I needed at my usual hotel was the complimentary bottle of a local wine waiting for me in my room. The next few days included business lunches & dinners, all well lubricated of course.
Needless to say at that time I was hooked & consumed at least a bottle a day for as many years as I can remember.
A specialist who I consulted on a completely different issue who did pro-bono work with Alcoholics ran me thru a test that he had developed to give an indication of Alcoholism judged that I was NOT an Alcoholic .. that I found to be quite surprising.
This habit of heavy drinking was continued at happy hours as we traveled around in the van. (casks decanted into bottles of course because of the cost)
Recent unsurprising health issues prompted my Doc to suggest that I aught cut down a bit.
So I did & rarely have a drink these days. So it looks like the Specialist was right, although if I open a bottle I usually consume most of it.
I still take a few bottles of good stuff with me in the van these days but often bring some or all back home with me.
I can enjoy happy hours with or without alcohol, but I still enjoy SHARING a good red around the fire on occasion.
In my younger years I thought I was amphibious I consumed so much, didn't bat an eyelid at a slab & a bottle of scotch everyday ending in a "Y" & when I went out with mates I really let my hair down.
At 43 on my regular 3 monthly vet visit the doc asked me to fill in some paperwork, it was my last will & testimony, He said at least your affairs will be in order for your three sons to ease the grief they would suffer after my imminent demise.
That was the last day I had an alcoholic drink.
The biggest issue I now find at "happy hours" is the way people say "you don't drink at all" as if something is wrong with me. My wife might have one of two drinks all year & usually that would be special occasion, but I don't miss it at all. A thermos of tea is my companion at gatherings or just plain water & im often asked "what's it laced with"
Unfortunately it discourages us attending these gatherings as it makes me uncomfortable.
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