tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post8251617793756663940..comments2023-10-17T15:56:22.827+01:00Comments on Velvet Glove, Iron Fist: Some real research into alcoholChristopher Snowdonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963753745009712865noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-42226317516533687532011-09-22T14:30:54.113+01:002011-09-22T14:30:54.113+01:00"It is, I think, blindingly obvious that the ..."It is, I think, blindingly obvious that the people who raise you have a profound influence on your character, prospects and behaviour". But it's blindingly obvious that the sun goes round the earth. If memory serves there is American evidence that is interpreted as implying that children tend to be much more influenced by their "peers" than by their parents. It's my instinct that it might well be wrong, but I have no evidence to put against it - and it would be consistent with the "Mass Society"/conformist aspects of American life that so often strike foreigners.deariemenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-13098326313510147132011-09-22T14:28:32.286+01:002011-09-22T14:28:32.286+01:00In the mid 60's when I was a teenager and at w...In the mid 60's when I was a teenager and at work I used to go out every Friday and Saturday night to parties and pubs with friends and we ALL got 'drunk'.<br />Was that binge drinking ?<br />Times have not changed one bit as in the 80's my kids did the exact same and now my Grandkids are doing the self same thing that their parents and Grandparents did when they were in their teens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-3614880923071886222011-09-22T00:43:48.184+01:002011-09-22T00:43:48.184+01:00Great post Chris. I am a 58yr old male born and ra...Great post Chris. I am a 58yr old male born and raised in the U.S. I have been a working professional in the field of alcohol and drug addiction for the past 28yrs. Prior to that I spent approx. 15yrs in "intensive" personal "field work" concerning alcohol and drugs. <br /> Although my experience is entirely in the U.S. I would guess it is fairly similar in the U.K.<br />and that is this: despite all the years of research, all the plethora of testing, medications, treatment modalities, educational programs etc. the facts have remained fairly stable (contrary to what the nannies say) that somewhere between 18 to 23% of the population has a definitive alcohol problem. Which of course means that roughly 80% of the population uses alcohol responsibly (and a percentage of that 80% does not drink at all).<br /> So all the tax hikes, price hikes, increases in legal sanctions, etc. only serve to wrongfully punish those people who use alcohol responsibly and does precious little, if anything to those who abuse it. <br /> And, ignoring or minimizing parenting, education and upbringing in general is a collosal mistake and I would bet, as you suggested, serves other purposes.Richard H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-20507556262048012692011-09-21T13:13:20.306+01:002011-09-21T13:13:20.306+01:00I've been doing real research into alcohol for...I've been doing real research into alcohol for nearly thirty years, and on the basis of first hand experience, can confirm that it's still bloody great. <br /><br />Can I get funding somehow to continue my monitoring programme?Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.com