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Alcohol Can Cause Irreversible Genetic Damage To Stem Cells, Says Study (theguardian.com)

A new study, published on Wednesday, states that drinking alcohol produces a harmful chemical in the body which can lead to permanent genetic damage in the DNA of stem cells, increasing the risk of cancer developing. From a report: The research, using genetically modified mice, provides the most compelling evidence to date that alcohol causes cancer by scrambling the DNA in cells, eventually leading to deadly mutations. During the past decade, there has been mounting evidence of the link between drinking and the risk of certain cancers. "How exactly alcohol causes damage to us is controversial," said Prof Ketan Patel, who led the work at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. "This paper provides very strong evidence that an alcohol metabolite causes DNA damage [including] to the all-important stem cells that go on to make tissues." The study builds on previous work that had pinpointed a breakdown product of alcohol, called acetaldehyde, as a toxin that can damage the DNA within cells. However, these earlier studies had relied on extremely high concentrations of acetaldehyde and used cells in a dish rather than tracking its effects within the body.

145 comments

  1. Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hi,

    I'm in my mid thirties, rather accomplished, with a very good job (tech) that I like, family with 2 kids etc. I drink way too much however and I fear I'm already borderline alcoholic. I've recently found this 'high functioning alcoholism' term and realized this is me. Which scares me a lot. I do know people that drink a lot in my family (I'm from eastern Europe...) and until recently I've never considered myself similar to them. For the record, I'm drinking on average 5 evenings per week, between half and a full bottle of wine (which is not that much, certainly I got used to it, so it doesn't put me in the drunk mode neither).

    I keep an 'inner scorecard' which means I evaluate myself against what I used to be, and what I think I can accomplish (did I perform / accomplish something up to my potential, or did I just did a half-ass effort). Funnily enough, I always somehow discarded alcohol as a factor, justifying it (to myself) that it's not that influencing. Which is of course false. I should add that I work in the evenings very often (I love what I do btw) and most of those time, I drink too when working.

    What made me realize this problem much more efficiently was running. I started quite recently and did some tests - how I perform, with the same training scheme, with and without alcohol for a period of time. Numbers don't lie. I run much better and also feel better.

    As to why I'm drinking when I'm working alone, I don't really know (other than I like the taste). Not necessarily to forget problems or something. With perspective, this amounts to huge chunks of time, which certainly impacts my work on side projects / business. Sometimes I think I drink because I'm scared to actually succeed with this side stuff, and somehow unconsciously I sabotage myself.

    Are / were you in this situation ? If you managed to stop, I would appreciate the 'how'.

    1. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      My wife and I drink a lot. Almost every night. I wouldn't say we're alcoholics, but I agree, we drink too much. The problem is that craft beers (for me) and wine (for her) taste too damn good. I grab a beer because I like the taste, and likely grab another. I'm not getting drunk, and I'm fine in the morning. I'm also in my 30s, and thinking that perhaps I should be tapering off. I haven't not had a drink in a long time, so I don't know how I would perform or feel if I went a few weeks/months without it. I don't feel that I'm functioning at a reduced state, but maybe I am. I also have been seeing a lot of reports about the dangers of alcohol, and at some level, I feel they're aimed at me. Like the universe/fate is trying to tell me something.

      I'd be interested to see other's thoughts and opinions.

    2. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      The thing that 'kills you' is drinking on a hangover. It's also the thing that seperates 'weekend warriors' from 'true drunks'.

      Acetaldehyde is the primary hangover poison. But that's a key you can pay attention to. If your not feeling sick in the morning, your not exceeding your livers capacity to metabolize acetaldehyde, at least not by much.

      Even if you drink like a Rusky, eat a healthy meal and your liver is good to fight again.

      Also avoid dark liquors. The shit that leaches out of barrels is much worse for you than vitamin ethanol.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    3. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm exactly the same way. I'm in my mid 30s with a tech job. I've been drinking since I was 21. I'd drink 4-5 beers a day, 5-6 days a week. I never drink before/during work though.

      What ended it for me was going to the doctor. I just went for a regular checkup. It turns out my liver is just starting to get fatty. It's not terrible now, and it will reverse itself (it's supposed to anyway),

      Of course I knew that that would eventually happen. I also know it will get worse if I continue to drink as much as I do. So, the appointment was just a wake up call for me. I haven't had anything to drink for a little over two months now.

      It's really not that difficult. You just have to keep your mind occupied. I really just drank to kill time, and it tastes better than water. Once you start getting a little bit more of your mind back that you thought you had all along, it gives you more courage to continue -- not to mention you can start allocating the $$ you spend on booze to more tangible items, or whatever else you fancy.

      Good luck to you!

    4. Re:Anyone? by zifn4b · · Score: 2

      Seriously, if you have this type of addiction problem, it's largely psychological. Go see a psychologist. You're most likely self-medicating. Once you figure out the problem you're medicating, you can do something about that problem then you won't feel compelled to self-medicate anymore. If you think you're not self-medicating or doing something psychological it means that you are not consciously aware of what it is. There IS a reason and it's in your head whether you know it or not. That is the source of all compulsive behavior. If you lack the ability to peer into your own mind introspectively to understand your own thought process that is giving rise to this behavior, your only hope is to consult someone else who might be able to deconstruct it.

      --
      We'll make great pets
    5. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a similar pattern as you but a more advanced version. I'm over 60 and have been doing this for close to 40 years. I could stop, maybe should stop, but frankly enjoy alcohol. I don't drink and drive, don't embarrass my family, rarely feel bad the next day but continue to maintain a daily alcohol ritual. I guess what I am saying is it's a life choice. Could be a bad one but all of us will end up in the same place eventually. Cheers!

    6. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also avoid SOME RANDOM THING I HEARD ONCE.

      There, fixed that for you.

    7. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The temptation and desire to drink gets worse as you get older. The anesthetic properties of alcohol work wonders on the aches and pains of an aging body, as well as numbing the effects of aging related ennui and existential doubt.

      I find, though, that I just can't sustain regular drinking. Usually after about 3 weeks of 1-2 drinks per night something toxic builds up in me and I feel just awful and have to cut back to weekends only for a while.

      Thankfully there's cannabis. In world where I had to choose, cannabis would win over booze, but I don't find it a complete replacement. But it is a lot milder on the body than booze.

    8. Re:Anyone? by avandesande · · Score: 2

      I don't really get a hangover but after I've had a few drinks I will wake up 4 am in the morning and can't get back to sleep. I've pretty much quit drinking because the next day is ruined because of lack of sleep.

      --
      love is just extroverted narcissism
    9. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      You had a choice. Thought or snark. You chose snark.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    10. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      erm, don't ask a washed up geek board for life adivce is what I think.

    11. Re:Anyone? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

      I'm 55+ and have never drunk more than a measure or two every year.

      Just never liked the taste of beer or wine, to me they taste of alcohol and I don't like it.
      People said to me I'd grow to like it. But hey, why would I want to do that and socially drink just for the benefit of others?

      I've got a 15 year old half drunk bottle of single malt Scotch on the shelf. It's been there over 12 years. I only keep it in case a guest asks for some.

      When I see a drunk on TV or in the street and see people laughing at them, I really don't see what's so funny.

      Bizarre or what?

      --
      Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
    12. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I think where you are is not a problem. Just watch out when/if you starting drinking in the morning. I think that's a key factor. Drinking early in the day will push your total consumption WAY over any sane mark of "healthy".

      BTW, your drinks per day is NOTHING. 12-16 drinks for me is a normal day of drinking because that amount takes about 24 hours to burn off so I can start again. I've talked to drunks on the street and even I'm a lightweight compared to them. Just some perspective.

      With that said, the government says anything more than 4 or 5 drinks a day is too much and I can't argue with that. I noticed a very distinct difference in my body's functioning (metabolism, etc) even at only 2 drinks a day, 7 days a week.

    13. Re:Anyone? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

      Take time in days for your body to repair itself after consuming alcohol. As you get older or suffer from other diseases, this time to repair takes longer and longer. Eventually the alcohol destroys more than the body can repair.

      It will usually creep up on you one day.

      --
      Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
    14. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      The thing that 'kills you' is drinking on a hangover.

      There's no hangover if you never stop drinking. When I was drinking, the only reason that there was whiskey left at the end of the night was that I was saving it for breakfast before running off to get more.

      If your not feeling sick in the morning, your not exceeding your livers capacity to metabolize acetaldehyde, at least not by much.

      That doesn't imply that your liver's not taking damage.

      Even if you drink like a Rusky, eat a healthy meal and your liver is good to fight again.

      I've got to disagree with this. I ate just fine. My liver eventually failed and damn near killed me.

      I'll be 2.5 years sober on Friday. I wasted hundreds of hours at AA meetings but never got the hang of not drinking between meetings. It finally took ending a loving relationship founded on alcohol abuse and picking up cannabis as a regular habit.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    15. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How many drinks do you have each night? If the answer is 1-2, keep it up, it's likely healthy, or a wash. If the answer is 5-10 or more, slow down. Numbers in between are judgement calls.

      Frequency of drinking is far less important that quantity of drinking.

    16. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Overcoming an alcohol addiction is hard.

      Doing something hard requires compelling motivation.

      If you want to break the addiction, it isn't enough to be willing to try this or that. You have to be committed to the benefits you will gain. You have to know what kind of person you want to be, why you want to be that person, how you will benefit from being that person, and how superior those benefits are to the benefits you now get from drinking.

      Your desire to be free must be authentic. It must be real to you, not just lip-service to some conventional wisdom about health. You have to want it. For real. A lot.

      Once that is true, then it's just a matter of applying the power of your brain to the task of achieving it, including tapping support resources such as recovery programs, etc. Be prepared for withdrawal and relapse, too.

    17. Re:Anyone? by nightfire-unique · · Score: 1

      Late 30s, same.

      I drink more or less every night, but only ever at night, once they day's productivity is finished. Usually a bottle of wine. My whole family's the same way.

      I can easily go a week without a drink.. no withdrawal, except a desire to have a glass of wine through habit.

      I tell myself that if it becomes a problem, I might have to stop drinking completely, and that would make me sad... so I "don't" let it become a problem. Of course, the reality is that what's a problem is somewhat arbitrary, and that does worry me.

      Good luck, and keep it reasonable.. :)

      --
      A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    18. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      What? Unless your drinking _way_ too much that's just wrong.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    19. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...

      Thankfully there's cannabis. In world where I had to choose, cannabis would win over booze, but I don't find it a complete replacement. But it is a lot milder on the body than booze.

      I know a few people who swear by CBDs and a few more who would like to go that route instead of the alternatives. The problem is security clearances -- the "Evil Dope Fiend" federal tests aren't particularly accurate at targeting THC vs CBD. That leaves opioids or booze which have plenty of support from the business community and hence, the govt. At least until Kellyanne Conway can get up-to-speed on increasing the cost of Fentanyl.

    20. Re: Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey there, saw this and had to reply. I went through the same thing. I started drinking to better fit in with coworkers and over time it just became part of my daily routine.

      As for why I quit, I have seen the cognitive decline associated with heavy alcohol use in other people in my life. That sort of cognitive decline is one of my biggest fears in life, and I decided that to partake in an activity that could accelerate it was unacceptable.

      Quitting alcohol was a journey rather than all at once. I must have quit a dozen times, sometimes taking several months between drinking, but when I started again it was made a habit again.

      Anyways, long story short, as I quit the breaks between relapses got longer and longer and now it's been well over a year since my last drink. I still get the occasionally thought of "a drink would be nice right now", but it's not the intense craving it used to be, so it's easier to dismiss.

      I don't personally think alcohol is evil, but I had a reason to quit. I think if you feel you have a reason to quit as well then it's worth seeing what your life will be like without alcohol. I can't say my life is a ton different, but I have lost weight (not surprising as I liked my cream liquors) and in general sleep better (alcohol may disrupt rem sleep).

      Good luck if you do decide to quit, and believe that you can beat it if you have a strong enough reason.

    21. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      As you say, you _never_ sobered up. Drink like Pigpen and liver failure is waiting for you.

      I doubt you were eating 'just fine', in any case the point was: 'Don't drink to the point you have hangovers, particularly don't drink on top of hangovers.'

      Alcohol below the 'hangover' level is about as bad for you as sugar.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    22. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I started out drinking just with friends on the weekends in my 30s. Now I'm 45 and am definitely an alcoholic. My wife and I can finish off a 1.75 litre of vodka in a weekend and still end up having to pick up a smaller bottle on Sunday. I'm seriously hung over until about 3pm the next day. "Fortunately", I only drink on the weekends because I'd never be able to work on the weekdays.

      Issues this has caused me: Fell once a few years ago and broke my front tooth, had to get an implant. Fell into pool about a year ago and caused permanent damage to foot - was on crutches for several months and walking is still painful. Spent tens of thousands at local strip club for evenings I can barely recall. Two SUVs totaled and just damaged the front of my latest SUV a few months back (I have no recollection of what happened there).

      Just giving some insight on how it can look 15 or so years from where you're at now.

    23. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm 55+ and have never drunk more than a measure or two every year.

      ... I've got a 15 year old half drunk bottle of single malt Scotch on the shelf. It's been there over 12 years. I only keep it in case a guest asks for some.

      Amateurs. They just don't get it. Oh well. More for me.

    24. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      While I haven't been a drinker, I did smoke and stopped the first time I tried. Here's what I did.

      Before you make any life change such as this, stop and learn a bit about how the brain works. More specifically the reward area of your brain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system

      It explains so many things that you do. Learn about how it can be reset. Currently, you get a reward out of drinking. Figure out how to can get brain rewards instead from doing pushups, running or something healthy. Maybe if you need more money, learn to get a brain reward out of solving programming problems for people on a contract basis. Your life instead will be more healthy and wealthy. You'll get the same reward you did for drinking, it just takes some time to adjust.

      I no longer smoke, I ride my bike and eat healthy. I enjoy working to solve problems.

      YOU decide what you want in life and how to get there. Your brain is flexible, you've just let it get lazy and take rewards in easy ways. Think about what made you happy as a kid? There's no reason some of those things can't make you happy again.

    25. Re:Anyone? by cyberchondriac · · Score: 2

      "Vitamin ethanol".. lol I have to steal that.

      I have a beer every night with dinner, then maybe or maybe not little bit (like a shot's worth) o' sippin' whiskey as a nightcap. Certainly nothing that affects me in the morning, I don't even like feeling drunk, I just get sleepy and stupid. Slightly relaxed is what I aim for.
      Taste is another matter: I love a good beer, irish whisky, single malt scotch, and gin & tonic. Yum. I wish they could taste exactly the way they do and be half the alcohol. And a quarter of the calories. The calories are probably doing me more harm than anything else because I'm not burning them off.

      --

      Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
    26. Re:Anyone? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      I don't really get a hangover but after I've had a few drinks I will wake up 4 am in the morning and can't get back to sleep. I've pretty much quit drinking because the next day is ruined because of lack of sleep.

      I've, either fortunately, or unfortunately, never really been able to get "fun drunk". Drinking alcohol for me always puts me to sleep long before I have any of the more fun side-effects. Unfortunately, it's not a very quality sleep, and, yes, usually wake up really early not feeling refreshed.

      Therefore, I only drink for flavor. Never had any real motivation to drink heavy because of the side effect of falling to sleep but not getting quality sleep. Not sure if that is a blessing or a curse.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    27. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I found myself in the same situation about 5 years ago. I'm turning 70 this month. At the time I was drinking about 2 liters of wine every evening after a couple of scotch and waters. I'd wake up hung over but start about 2:00 in the afternoon again. I felt I was in a spiral of self destruction. I was retired - but only because I had no inclination to work and (fortunately) my wife is successful at her job. I had incurred a DUI about 10 years earlier, so was careful about drinking and driving. That just meant I didn't go out.

      One morning I felt desperate. I asked my wife to enroll me at one of those rehab resorts. She did as I asked. That was a Saturday and I was scheduled to go in on Monday. I spent all of that day and Sunday reevaluating my life. Sunday evening I told my wife I wouldn't be going to the rehab resort. I decided to change.

      I started walking. I made myself get up in the morning and walk about 2 miles. Then I walked about 5 miles in the afternoon. I walked again after dinner. Within about 2 weeks and for no related reason we bought a rescue dog - Scruffy. He became my best bud and my walking companion. We would walk for hours together. Then we would walk every time he wanted to go outside.

      I always like the taste of a good wine, scotch, vodka, and many others. But for some reason I didn't miss it. I just didn't want to end my life as a worthless drunk. I can be around others drinking without wanting to drink myself. I sometimes have a tablespoon of wine with my steak if it's a really good Cabernet. But that's less than a couple of times a year.

      I'm a lot happier. I get up in the morning and look forward to the day. I go to sleep because I'm tired and not because I'm passing out. I find I don't forget as much as I did before. And I don't have to cringe at the memory of things I did the night before.

      I don't know if this helps you. I know a lot of people have a harder time dealing with alcohol. I can see where a lot of people benefit from AA and rehab resorts. Some people need others to help them make a change. I guess I needed Scruffy and the commitment to change.

    28. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are / were you in this situation ? If you managed to stop, I would appreciate the 'how'.

      For me, quitting drinking was all about making the decision that I cannot trust myself around alcohol (not even a drink), and then enforcing that decision every moment of every day going forward.

      This was similar to the decision I made about 13 years ago in terms of smoking. I realized that even though my body was telling me to keep smoking, I wanted a different path.

      Neither here nor there, but I can slightly understand how organizations such as AA function, in terms of having a sponsor "assist" when an individual is close to returning to smoking/drinking/using drugs. For me, once I made the decision to quit drinking, and the decision to quit smoking, I made sure not to go to bars/not to buy alcohol, do everything in my power to avoid temptation.

      It has been about 11 months since I quit drinking, and I believe I am to a point where I wouldn't be able to enjoy a glass of wine, even if I wanted to (plus, I am not sure I would have enough "internal justification" to allow myself that first drink)

    29. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      Alcohol below the 'hangover' level is about as bad for you as sugar.

      I heard somewhere that alcohol can cause irreversible genetic damage to stem cells.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    30. Re:Anyone? by rogoshen1 · · Score: 1

      hangover levels vary for everyone, regardless of the total amount of alcohol consumed. Paddy the Irishman putting away a 5th in an evening will be blind drunk, but not necessarily hungover the next day. Pretty sure that's causing liver damage.

      alieve + water + sleep = reduces your chances for a hangover, but that's unrelated to whatever damage you did to your liver the night before.

    31. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Be sceptical.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    32. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      The tests can't tell Marinol from pot.

      Get a marinol script, works for truckers and pilots.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    33. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm more addicted to sugar (soda drinks, iced donuts, glazed donuts, yum-yums), but it's all the same when it comes to brain chemistry; receptors in the reward center of the brain get activated based on whatever addiction you have (adrenalin rush from activity sports, sugar, alcohol).

      Person in my family is an alcoholic - he got a spinal abscess which has left him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors told him he had to give up the alcohol as it was damaging his liver.

    34. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      and it tastes better than water.

      Sparkling water is the answer. It has almost zero negatives (Carbonation isn't wonderful on teeth), and it is really easy to drink just to "drink something that's not water"

    35. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Paddy is hungover, he's just a viking about it.

      People that can't metabolize acetaldehyde (many Asians) get much more hungover and basically can't drink.

      There are no super acetaldehyde metabolizers, just 'professional drunks' who seek out relatively low hangover booze (Vodka and Sake jump to the top of the list).

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    36. Re: Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While youre driving for Uber or Lyft, do your riders say much about your drinking on the job?

    37. Re:Anyone? by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      Rehab is for QUITTERS...

      ;)

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    38. Re:Anyone? by cayenne8 · · Score: 2

      I know a few people who swear by CBDs and a few more who would like to go that route instead of the alternatives. The problem is security clearances -- the "Evil Dope Fiend" federal tests aren't particularly accurate at targeting THC vs CBD.

      Yep, and if you get caught using/posession of weed, you can lose your gun ownership privileges..

      Hell, I"ve heard talk of the Feds revoking your rights to guns if you have a medical or even recreational weed permit.

      The Federal laws need to be changed...period.

      I"m still wondering why it took a freakin' Constitutional Amendment to prohibit alcohol and another one to legalize it again....yet, pot and other drugs have been made illegal by the stroke of a pen? What's the constitutional basis for the "scheduling"?

      I've yet to have that explained to me...wish that question would pop up at EVERY congress critters open forums and election debate questions.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    39. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Living causes irreversible damage to your body, and in the end we all die. My parents are getting close to 90s and have a daily glass of wine with their dinner. My grandpa died of lung cancer in his 60s and he never smoke or drank, and my grandma did both and she outlived him by 15 years. Stress and psychological shocks are the worst, with smoking, drinking, fast food, pollution and lack of physical activity and social connectivity all contributing. French people have long life spans although they drink a lot of wine. It's probably because of their joie of vivre.

      However, I am not saying that you should drink a lot, just that alcohol is not as bad as this article makes it sound. It probably matters more what and how much. Why don't you set a rule for yourself, like have a couple of glasses of wine with the dinner just one day a week, or 2 (e.g. Fridays and Saturdays). Put that in your calendar. Don't stray from it. Then you can look forward for those days to come, you will enjoy them more, and will help you limit your alcohol intake. I used to drink quite a bit, and this strategy helped me cut down. And I complemented it with doing more physical activity (go to the gym or play some team sport, which also helps you socialize more without the social drinking part).

    40. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      People that can't metabolize acetaldehyde (many Asians) get much more hungover and basically can't drink.

      My ex is Asian (1/2 Lao, 1/2 Chinese) and drinks like a champ. I suffered though some hangovers with her, but hers never seemed any worse than mine (I'm white.) We also had an Asian roommate (Lao) who drank more than me. That's quite a feat; I was literally drinking at a suicidal pace. 2 data points.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    41. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TL;DR? skip to bottom paragraph.

      Hello and thanks for your writeup. It was extremely insightful and offers great perspective.
          Drinking as you describe is more habit than addiction. So it is just 'how you like to do things', or rather how you used to do things. therefore if you feel it is not working for you or you just want to try something new to compliment your healthy running, perhaps replace the wine with juice or some bubble water so that you continue having some glass & drinking, but just less damaging to your liver.

      So basically, yes you are functioning well. If you want to try a new thing, replace the alcohol with another drink- but do keep drinking something!... or else you'll feel there is a loss somewhere and that you're living a life of lack.

      Personal story: When my wife got pregnant & could not drink, I said "Hey I will not drink with you", and just decided to try something new. I did not drink for 1.5 years just to see if I could do it... to try something new. It proved to me I was not bound by habits and can change them if feeling adventurous :) You can too brother!

    42. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      A few years ago, a fed _speculated_ about pot and guns.

      But the US has literally millions of gun toting people who pretty openly smoke pot.

      The same interpretation could remove gun rights from people who attend AA meetings.

      Neither has happened yet, it was just some idiot fed venting over states legalizing.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    43. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      WTF is up with eurotrash and 'sparkling salty water'?

      You can hardly get 'water' at restaurants in Germany. The just assume you mean 'sparkling mineral water'.

      Beer is the solution, of course. /ontopic

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    44. Re:Anyone? by hey! · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Simple answer: you need the opinion of an objective, qualified third party who has spent some time with you face to face evaluating your specific situation. What you don't need is opinions from Internet randos. Nor is it a good idea to rely on some kind of guided self-assessment. If you don't have a substance abuse problem your self-assessment would be reliable, but if you *do* then it's one of the first things to go.

      Generally if something causes you distress (including worry and undue concern), and that distress does not go away on its own after a short time, that represents *some* kind of mental health problem. What you have may be a substance abuse problem, a personality disorder (like obsessive-compulsive personality disorder), or quite possibly nothing at all but a normal, passing concern. I can't tell you which it is, nor can anyone else here.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    45. Re:Anyone? by mileshigh · · Score: 1

      The problem is that craft beers (for me) and wine (for her) taste too damn good.

      Betcha they'd lose much of their appeal without the magic ingredient, even if they tasted 100% identical to the original.

      I haven't not had a drink in a long time...

      You think that fact might be a clue about something?

    46. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Did either get 'red faced' while drinking? That's the sign of not metabolizing acetaldehyde.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    47. Re:Anyone? by SinGunner · · Score: 1

      Welcome to your 30's (I'm regrettably leaving mine in a few years). I've basically quit drinking outside of social situations (where I still drink more than I'd like, but less than my friends/coworkers). I originally cut back from 4-6 beers per night (similar to your wine) by switching to weed for a couple years. That brings its own negatives (particularly motivation), but it's easier for me to quit. I can take a month off weed without missing it terribly and my drinking remains very low. Even when I'm drinking, I rarely feel like drinking to excess like I used to.

      My major remaining vice is video games, but it's very hard for me to objectively evaluate how much time spent on games is too much because I lose track of the time so easily. I'm currently programming a modular scheduling app to help me better control my free time.

      Wish I had some perfect advice, but I think everyone probably requires a unique path to get their way to where they want to be. For me it's important not to beat myself up about "failures" along the way. I have mild ADD but severe ODD, so if I ever get too negative about my slacking off, it actually works against me because I enjoy defying my more responsible tendencies. I one-hundred-percent feel you on the "scared to succeed" part but I'm actually using my ODD to tell myself to go fuck myself with worrying about being successful.

      Being a person is weird.

    48. Re:Anyone? by Gr8Apes · · Score: 1

      I"m still wondering why it took a freakin' Constitutional Amendment to prohibit alcohol and another one to legalize it again....yet, pot and other drugs have been made illegal by the stroke of a pen? What's the constitutional basis for the "scheduling"?

      Because hemp plants would hurt DuPont and Hearst's bottom lines, and the newly minted FDA and Anslinger needed something to focus their budget on post prohibition.

      --
      The cesspool just got a check and balance.
    49. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      Not that I noticed. They're darker complected than me, but I feel like I would have noticed blushing. Our roommate was incredible. She couldn't have weighed more than 100 lbs and had been drinking better than a fifth a day since well before I met her (years). The only explanation that I can come up with is that her liver is made of magic. A fifth a day shut my liver straight the fuck down and didn't waste a lot of time doing it.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    50. Re: Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Should we be more skeptical of science or Slashdot posts?

      I leave this question as an exercise to the reader.

    51. Re:Anyone? by AvitarX · · Score: 1

      Isn't it bad for calcium levels too?

      --
      Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
    52. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll be 2.5 years sober on Friday... picking up cannabis as a regular habit...

      If cannabis is a regular habit, you've been sober 0 years.

    53. Re:Anyone? by penandpaper · · Score: 1

      I think it was through treaties with other countries. I remember asking a similar question and finding some treaties that gave the legal framework to regulate substances.

      I don't remember the specifics.

    54. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      If cannabis is a regular habit, you've been sober 0 years.

      By sober, I meant abstaining from alcohol. Definitions of "sober" other than my own are not important to me. I'm on 4 different daily prescriptions; one is cannabis. They all affect the way I think. I draw the line between "medicating" and "self-medicating" according to doctor's advice.

      You're free to think that marijuana is not medicine. I think it can be.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    55. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I'm kind of in the same boat as you except I'm in my 40s and the fatty liver was about 5 years ago. Since they were so kind as to give me that bad news I figured I just wouldn't go back and kept drinking :) (I wish I was kidding but I'm not). So recently (July-Aug 2017) I quit for 30 days. The first week wasn't bad, but after that I started to get mental fatigue that was really bad and got progressively worse. I couldn't find the right words when, had trouble solving problems, tired all the time sleeping 12 hours+ per day. So when I hit 30 days I said this really sucks and went back to drinking. Just curious if you had any similar symptoms and how long it took to pass if you did.

    56. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hell, I"ve heard talk of the Feds revoking your rights to guns if you have a medical or even recreational weed permit.

      Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, there is no "medical" uses for it according to federal law. From

      Form 4473: "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?"

      If you answer yes to that question, no guns for you.
      Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or
      decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.
      "

    57. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *you're*
      "You're" means "you are".
      Sorry, but you keep doing this. It's getting distracting.

    58. Re:Anyone? by gnick · · Score: 1

      Paddy the Irishman putting away a 5th in an evening will be blind drunk, but not necessarily hungover the next day.

      Paddy might not even be blind drunk. High BAC, but if he's drinking that much every night he may function just fine. It takes dedication, but it can be done.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    59. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slowly cut back on the amount you consume. Find a suitable substitute for the gratification you get. These aren't too difficult unless you've got some underlying factor that you may need help identifying. If you notice the positive effects of cutting back and that's not motivation enough it's likely more than "I like the taste". I've indulged with several addictive substances and never had much issue keeping things in control including frequently quitting. It may in part be genetic.

    60. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      #1) Congratulations for finally recognizing it is a problem. That is a huge step there.
      #2) Be communicative with your family and supportive friends as you start your journey away from alcoholism.
      #3) If you have some friends that may not be supportive it may be time to let them go (at least until you are healthy)
      #4) Check yourself into rehab (it's really the quickest way to overcoming this)
      #5) Connect with the God of the Bible on a deeper level. Becoming solid spiritually can help all other areas of your life become more solid.
      #6) Seek a counselor that will help you with life. You said that you don't necessarily drink to forget problems or something. However, drinking can be a coping mechanism for dealing with many things, not only the past, but also the present and the future.
      #7) You mentioned you think you drink because you are scared to succeed with the side stuff. This may be one of the reasons you are using it as a coping mechanism. A trained counselor can help you find other reasons. Okay, maybe this was 6b. :)
      #8) Consider joining a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. At least attend a few sessions and see if it is for you.
      #9) Remove all alcohol from your house.
      #10) Do what it takes to make sure you do not buy any more alcohol. This may be harder said than done, but may include letting your wife be in charge of your bank card for a while. And no, this wasn't meant to be a joke. :)
      #11) Have accountability partners. It could be your wife and/or a couple of friends. Someone you can be completely honest with even if you break the rules you've set for yourself.
      #12) Do not let shame and guilt prevent you from being honest if you've slipped up. Harboring shame and guilt will only escalate the problem.
      #13) If you go to a party or out with friends make sure you are with those who are supportive of you not drinking. Ask some of them to help keep you in check ahead of time before you even go.
      #14) If you cannot be out in these situations without drinking make sure to stop going to such events until you are healthy.
      #15) Be able to say "no" and strongly confront people that might pressure you into drinking. Usually one or two times of strong confrontation will silence the person. If they will not be silenced then leave the situation.

      I know some of these were meant for group situations and may not apply, but are very valuable steps for anyone trying to escape this problem and other similar problems. Also, you mentioned side projects that you are working on. Make sure these side projects are not affecting your relationship with your family as you need to be spending both quality and quantity time with them. Are you able to spend time and enjoy being with your family without your mind focusing on the other projects you are working on? If you are not able to do that there may be other issues that need dealt with as well.

    61. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      " ... impacts my work on side projects / business."

      You're not fooling anyone Lennart. We know what happens when you drink. :)

    62. Re:Anyone? by surfcow · · Score: 1

      Start buying alcohol you don't actually enjoy drinking.

    63. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First and foremost, Alcoholics Anonymous works. Moos and Moos 2006 shows that, among alcoholics who take the AA program seriously, 67% were still sober 16 years later. In contrast, the members of the study who did not go to AA at all, only 33% were sober 16 years later.

      The main reason people do not want to go to Alcoholics Anonymous is because people think they can control and enjoy their drinking again. This is not true; any study with a 10-year or longer followup shows that alcoholics do not successfully moderate their drinking. The 1982 followup to Sobell 1973 (a study which claimed alcoholics could moderate again) showed only one person (5%) moderating their drinking a decade later; my own crunching of the numbers from Moos and Moos 2006 shows only 17% (one in six) of alcoholics being able to moderate their drinking. In other words, trying to moderate drinking is like playing Russian Roulette -- but five out of the six chambers have bullets in them.

      If one does not like what people say in one AA meeting, try another one. Or try Life Ring recovery. Or SMART recovery. The point being: Any support group of fellows who are also not drinking will help people stop drinking.

      AA really works most of the time, but it's like taking a diet or going to the gym: The alcoholic has to work the program. Otherwise, the chance of recovery is low (33% as per Moos/Moos 2006). Step One is to realize that moderate drinking just does not work.

    64. Re:Anyone? by mccotter · · Score: 1

      Hey there. I stopped drinking close to 20 years ago (in my early 20s) while I was still consuming alcohol in a socially acceptable amount for my age / social / professional status. I was REALLY into exercise and competing in natural bodybuilding shows at the time (yes, it's a very odd culture / pursuit, I know) and would stop drinking for a few months while I dieted down to my competition weight. I ended up not cutting enough weight to enter a contest and was pretty pissed, so I decided that if anything, I would get total sobriety from my efforts.

      For me the 'how' was I told myself that I would never drink again. It was a very deep inner commitment that NEVER came up for debate. I didn't attend any meetings, never battled urges to start drinking, and the more time I spent away from alcohol, the more my outlook on it shifted. At first I was concerned about the 'normal' events / life situations that normally involve drinking: a marriage (mine or family member's), being out with others and feeling awkward about drinking, and generally feeling that I was missing out on something.

      After 20 years I can tell you that it was THE BEST decision I ever made. After work I'm free to pursue passions at an immensely high level (playing music, coding, yoga, MMA), which would not have been possible if I had a drink or two after work. I'm happy to say I have completely forgotten what a hangover feels like. I wake up feeling like a champ, drive at night without ever having to worry if I drank to much to drive, and minus my thinning hair, I'm healthier with a more capable body than just about any one at any age.

      For me... it was life changing. I wouldn't be who I am today if I drank. I don't judge others that do drink as it was a completely selfish decision for MY life. I doubt many people will reach the golden years of their life and wished they drank more. Good luck with whatever path you take.

    65. Re:Anyone? by rfengr · · Score: 1

      Doesn’t the form 4473 (to buy a gun) ask about illegal drug use? They’d nail your for lying on the form, or deny a purchase if you tell the truth.

    66. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, ditch the alcohol and get some weed. Being stoned feels a lot better than being drunk. THC is also proven to slow or kill cancer. You can smoke it, vape it, eat it, take drops or oil after distilling...the possibilities are endless. It also goes GREAT with coffee (another proven cancer fighter).

      Also consider this. How many times have you seen drunk people get into fights? How many times have you seen stoners get into fights?

    67. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking as someone who used to down a bottle of vodka every night and at the same time smoke a pack of cigarettes each day which i did for about X years (not proud of how long) but I'm happy to share some advice.

      First and foremost the quantities your drinking isn't bad too bad. And I only say this as a positive for you. I'd do two bottles of white (cheap) wine a night when the vodka wasn't around. But just because I say "you're not as bad as me" don't take this as a "you're fine nothing to worry about". My advice is a) be concerned b) nip it in the butt before it gets worse. Because you don't want to go down the road I did. The sheer work I had to do to reverse the (some of) damage took literally years and its not over for me.

      I would drink until about 1-2am every morning. I worked from home so I'd wake up at 9am on the dot and I'd be smelling of booze, still drunk, but you'd find me perched over the computer desk with a coffee and bacon egg mcmuffin cutting code. I weighed about 105kg and had a sperm count well under 1mn. Which in hindsight was probably the price I paid for my drinking, I.E the fact that my wife and I can't conceive.

      More on that, because of the lack of success in traditional methods we attempted 5 IVFs which all of which failed and we're now on the last resort which is adoption. However, during all this I had plenty of doctors telling me to stop drinking to increase sperm counts along with cutting down on the smoking. It took about a year to be clear of it. But I started with the drinking then stoped the smokes. Once the drinking was sorted cigarettes actually seemed easy to quit.

      The key things to help me was
      a) team sports in the evenings
      b) hiking on the weekends
      c) reading about the affects of alcoholism (which i was kind of going through)
      d) change of work (still worked from home but 1000000% less stress) and
      e) my friends and people i had around me to talk too

      Further, the other things i noticed even while drinking and of course afterwards was that
      a) I found my eyesight was weaker
      b) I had absolutely no mental focus on any tasks in front of me
      c) fitness was non-existent and
      d) booze always meant plenty of vomiting and hangovers.

      Today, I can run 5kms without breaking a sweat. I hike trails that recommend 10 - 15 hours walk time in under 5 or 6 hours. I train about 6 hours of martial arts a week. And today I weigh about 75kgs. Haven't had a sperm check lately (not fun) but I hope things have turned around there.

    68. Re: Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can Quit alcohol by using the Sinclair Method. Search for Claudia Christian on TedTalks on YouTube. It has a 78% success rate. Please try it and live. Peace.

    69. Re:Anyone? by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      People are also self medicating with alchohol as a result of the abuses of capitalism. Alchohol also is a medicine, just a very bad one and better to use as an externally applied antiseptic, and instead inhale the correct combinant of cannibanoids, no hangover or liver damage.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    70. Re:Anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have a friend who is schizophrenic and uses marijuana daily, in combination with his other medicines, because he says that it helps him. He's doing so well - in a job that he enjoys, happily married, facing life's stresses - that his psychiatrist advised him to stick with his routine.

      On the other hand, I used marijuana daily for many years, and think that I do much better abstaining. Now I have a coffee habit. Would probably do better without that do, but its not doing enough damage, so far as I know, to warrant facing the addiction.

    71. Re:Anyone? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      But they never have...not even during the height of the drug war. Not even if you painted targets on your own back, Hunter S Thompson jumps to mind.

      It was a butthurt fed, venting about possibilities, while in denial about the impossible juries feds keep getting when they test.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    72. Re: Anyone? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

      Yes I am Autistic. But can't see how that effects my not liking Alcohol.
      My Autism simply means I can cut through all the social conventions that exists when a bottle appears on the table.
      I'm not going to pretend to laugh at people's jokes where alcohol is used as a prop on the vain hope it'll make them funny.
      I of course do have friends you might be surprised to know. You seem to imply you need alcohol to have friends which to me is an alien concept. I quite enjoy taking them home when they've got themselves into a half-conscious state.
      Going to a Pub to drink alcohol with massives of noise going on may be some people's idea of fun. But I really just want to talk to them in a quiet environment. If they feel they need to drink alcohol, ok let them. But I see no need whatsoever.

      --
      Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
    73. Re: Anyone? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

      Ask any Doctor.
      Small amounts of alcohol does do damage sadly. But unless you're examining the blood or organs closly, you'd really not notice. If you get a hangover, that's your body's way to say you've caused damage.

      --
      Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
    74. Re: Anyone? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

      Again with the joke.

      Just why do people think it's funny to make comments about not consuming alcohol?

      I never see the point of having to drink to have fun or have friends around and have a laugh.
      Is it just part of the routine of going somewhere perhaps?

      Pavlov Dogs syndrome perchance? :)

      --
      Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
  2. Sensationalism headline strike again! by Eloking · · Score: 3

    There's a pretty huge gap between
    "Alcohol Can Cause Irreversible Genetic Damage To Stem Cells, Says Study"
    and
    "However, these earlier studies had relied on extremely high concentrations of acetaldehyde and used cells in a dish rather than tracking its effects within the body."

    Thanks but we already knew that alcoholic have an higher risk of cancer : https://www.elementsbehavioral...

    But I guess I should be thankful that, for once, the real signifiant fact is inside the summary...

    --
    Elok
    1. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      Alcohol is a disinfectant. We've known that forever. In fact, it is theorized that one of the reasons that alcohol use became ubiquitous is because alcohol drinkers lived longer / better in the days of the four humors.

      Of course, there is Heinlein's observation that 'Man is not a rational animal, man is a rationalizing animal."

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by zifn4b · · Score: 1

      The set of things that cause cancer is pretty large. The set of things that cause death is pretty large. Pick your poison.

      --
      We'll make great pets
    3. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      Someone managed to display a statistical correlation between alcohol consumption and a limited number of particular cancers.

      That's the rub with most of these "carcinogen" declarations.

      They are typically only relevant to particular cancers. Those particular cancers may be more or less common or easier or harder to treat.

      Alcohol fits into the "less common and easy to treat" section.

      Although your own personal genetics are much more relevant. Torturing yourself for the rest of your life won't help anything.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    4. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by Megol · · Score: 1

      Not when taken internally. The reasons for alcohol abuse back in the days are easily explained by shitty lives getting easier to cope with and shitty food getting easier to consume.

    5. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 3, Informative

      Just wrong.

      Alcoholic drinks were a way of dealing with bad water. The use of alcohol increased lifespans.

      That is was (in the case of beer, not wine) the boiling step in the preparation of the drink that provided the benefit is irrelevant. They didn't know that and never ran the experiment.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    6. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      These earlier studies had proposed a mechanism to explain the higher risk of cancer that we see. Now there's a study that says yes, this mechanism does happen.

    7. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by ardmhacha · · Score: 1

      "That is was (in the case of beer, not wine) the boiling step in the preparation of the drink that provided the benefit is irrelevant. They didn't know that and never ran the experiment."

      Tea drinkers in Asia worked it out

    8. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by penandpaper · · Score: 1

      It's also pertinent to note that older/ancient alcoholic beverages contained much less alcohol than modern variants.

    9. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      No. Certainly not 'much less' or it wouldn't have had antiseptic properties.

      Grape juice just becomes wine with time. It was considered a gift from God, at least in part because of the mystery of how that happens.

      It is true that wine was often watered, when drunk for thirst. But come 'wedding feast' full strength.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    10. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Did they?

      That assumes they started boiling water for sanitation and skipped the tea. Bet they ascribed the benefit to the tea, not the boiling.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    11. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by penandpaper · · Score: 1

      Beer did have lower amounts of alcohol as, I believe, it was around 2-4% abv as opposed to today 5-8% abv. Mead is similar but I am not as sure for that one. I should have been specific.

    12. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 0

      We still have 3.2% 'beer'. Granting, it's unheard of outside the Bible belt, should be illegal. 8% beer isn't common now.

      Willing to bet they made stronger beers back then too. History is long and the world is big. Where and when?

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    13. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by sonamchauhan · · Score: 1

      No, didn't you read the article? It's actually quite elegant research -- DNA-based, not a statistical post-facto look at various cancers.

      This sort of research is important because it helps us figure out the 'why', not the 'what', and this ties into personal genetics. For instance, people with ALDH2 mutations can minimise alcohol intake (perhaps by diluting wine with plain water, as the ancient Romans, Jews and Greeks used to).

      This article even argues dilution, paradoxically, can make the drink experience better:
      https://www.thekitchn.com/addi...

    14. Re: Sensationalism headline strike again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      8% alcohol beer is pretty common. Almost every triple and many IPAs are around that mark. Beers with less than 4% but more than 1% I've only ever seen in Scandinavia.

    15. Re: Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Most IPA is well under 8.

      Many? Sure, many is what? Any number greater than 5?

      Congratulations on avoiding Oklahoma and Kansas, good choice.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    16. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Chimay, Steel Reserve and Olde English are all commonly available beers at 8% or higher.

    17. Re:Sensationalism headline strike again! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      All 'Malt Liquors' and all _way_ under 1% market share. Marketed to those that optimize stagger/dollar.

      Louis XIV cognac is 'commonly available', doesn't make it common.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  3. Re: bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Itâ(TM)s like this: what do you do to prevent an infection if you get cut? You put alcohol on it, and thst kills germs.

    Whatâ(TM)s sickness but germs inside your body? You know what to do

  4. Get diabetes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Put me off drinking over the course of 10 years. My grandfather was an alcoholic. I could have drank like him.

    Another thing is that I like to code and my brain cannot handle it on liquor.

    Expecting family to help is a nonstarter. They are the cause of trouble, not the cure, at least for me.

    1. Re:Get diabetes by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      The Ballmer peak is narrow but exists.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    2. Re:Get diabetes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Indeed. When I stumble across an exceptionally hard problem that's baffling me, I'll have a drink or three to lubricate my brain before tackling it again. I almost always solve it (though often in a substandard way), but I can review my code later when I'm sober to understand how I got to the solution and improve upon it.

      It's the exact same for cannabis as well, and the two often work in tandem as long as I don't go overboard. I've had many managers comment on how much more work I get done after my lunch break, which I typically toke during :)

  5. Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Now that the alcohol is proven haram (harmful and unclean according to the goatfucker in chief), we are waiting for studies to "scientifically" prove that eating pig causes cancer and not wearing hijab causes cancer as well (and rape).
    So forbidding alcohol, pig meat and not wearing hijabs is not to appease the bloody moslems, but because this is "scientifically proven" that they cause harm,
    It's really nothing that the fucking globalists and their subservient liberal cuckers that won't spoil to push their stinky agenda ???

    1. Re:Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !!! by HiThere · · Score: 1

      But that's not what the "Quoran" said. It said not to drink fermented grapes. So vodka should be perfectly fine...although I'm a bit dubious about the details. For some reason I think the vodka needs to be made from potatoes, and that beer isn't acceptable. Maybe I need to look up that quotation again some day.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    2. Re:Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !!! by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 1

      But that's not what the "Quoran" said. It said not to drink fermented grapes.

      Jesus on the other hand, turned jars of water into wine for a wedding feast when they had already polished off the supply.

      --
      Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    3. Re:Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !!! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      His first recorded miracle. The marketers that wrote the bible knew who they were selling to.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    4. Re:Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !!! by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 1

      But that's not what the "Quoran" said. It said not to drink fermented grapes. So vodka should be perfectly fine.

      Shades of "The Thirteenth Warrior". "Honey! It's made from honey!"....

      --

      "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
  6. The obvious conclusion here: by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

    A "party foul" at the lab is unacceptable, JOHN! ;)

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  7. Everything causes cancer in mice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They lack the natural resistance to cancer that humans have, because they don't really need it. So studies like this don't show anything really conclusive.

    Now pass me that bottle!

  8. Yeah right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is from the same kind of "scientists" who claim things like evolution and global warming are real. Meanwhile for all their "evidence" they still can't explain how the eye evolved or why its so fucking COLD outside.

    1. Re:Yeah right. by HiThere · · Score: 1

      Which eye? The eye has evolved about 10 times (that I've heard of) and there's no particular problem about explaining any one of them. The problem, actually, is explaining why it evolved so slowly. It's as if it was not nearly as advantageous as we assume.

      I refer you to "Climbing Mount Improbable" by Richard Dawkins, specifically the chapter "The fortyfold path to enlightenment".

      And being cold outside (as well as excessive hot spells) is to be expected in the mid-latitudes during global warming because that causes the jet stream to slow down due to the decrease in temperature difference between the poles and the equator, which leads to the jet stream slowing and occasionally stalling so that an short extreme weather event turns into a longer one.

      Why don't you pick a real problem? They *do* exist, but those are just popular because they're easy to spout, not because they're difficult to explain.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    2. Re:Yeah right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Richard Dawkins? LOL. Found the dumbocrat.

    3. Re:Yeah right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      His writing on religion is pure polemics, but his writing on evolution is top notch.

  9. Can we wait? by Quatermass · · Score: 1

    Wasn't Acetaldehyde shown to form in the saliva of Alcohol drinkers over a decade ago?

    I expect to hear from the usual mixture of deniers and and 'I told you so' folks now. Oh how tedious...

    So, let's wait until further studies are performed across the World and when they agree or disagree with this finding, we can make a decision then? A vain hope I know....

    --
    Stuart http://stuarthalliday.com/
  10. Re:bullshit by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

    both of my grandparents were very heavy drinkers and lived to be over 95.

    Last night my wife and I helped an old lady up. She had literally fallen and couldn't get up. My nose soon detected that her problem wasn't that she was old, but that she was drunk as a skunk.

    This morning we found out that this is normal for her and she's been a lifetime alcoholic. So you could argue that she won the alcoholics lottery. She's well over 80 and she got to spend here life drinking. Most of us would die of cancer or liver failure before we got to the retirement community.

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
  11. Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Daetrin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So moderate alcohol use (supposedly) helps prevent heart disease but also (supposedly) increases your odds of cancer.

    On one hand, repairing or replacing hearts, possibly from cloned stem cells, is theoretically easier than curing cancer and repairing damaged stem cells.

    On the other hand, a heart attack is a lot more likely to catch you by surprise before you realize you need to have your heart repaired or replaced. Also, your stem cells are going to get damaged sooner or later anyways, alcohol just speeds up the process. So sooner or later we'll have to figure out how to repair or replace stem cells anyways.

    Of course that's all taking the long view. In the short(er) view, none of us are getting out of this alive. So drink up i guess?

    --
    This Space Intentionally Left Blank
    1. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Alcohol causes also dead by accident and stroke. If you have problems with your heart, doctors can most likely see it much sooner than problem occurs. Usually hearth attacks come as surprise because we don't usually go into such tests.

    2. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Megol · · Score: 3, Insightful

      There's a reason one should listen to scientists doing proper blind (preferably double-blind) studies over personal experience - at least mostly:
      The placebo effect is very strong.

      So why the "mostly" part? Because people and how they work physically and mentally can have large differences making a general study non-applicable.

      Not in this case though.

    3. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I think it's complicated. They say not to drink when you have a cold/flu because it doesn't really kills germs but in actual real-life use I've found it incredibly effective at taking out these type of infections. So much so that I will sometimes take a few shots of vodka when my infected kids/grandkids/etc come to visit. I have tested not doing this versus drinking and I can say with 100% confidence that drinking makes me less vulnerable to whatever infection that is near me and often heals me faster when I'm infected.

      I know, nobody outside of Russia supports this but I can say for myself it is actually true.

      In my large case study of one person, me, I have found that drinking sherry helps me get over a sore throat quicker. I love the taste of sherry, but don't buy it often because of the alcohol. I had sherry one time when I had a sore throat and felt better the next day, so now every time I get a sore throat I drink sherry. Seems to help, but my evidence is no better than Chinese folk medicine, or other untested techniques.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    4. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wonder if one day we'll have regularly scheduled preemptive replacements for body parts like we have for cars. So get your heart replaced after 40 years or 2 billion beats, whichever comes first, and maybe sooner if you've high risk. The new one would be either genetically engineered, mechanical, or some kind of cyborg hybrid heart. Or maybe just grow new bodies in a vat and transfer the brain. (Yes, it's more expensive than scooping out someone else's brain, but that would be totally unethical.)

      Repairing brain damage is not easy though, so for now you might be limited to 1-1.5 bodies tops. But at least it'd solve back pain and incontinence, right?

    5. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are far more beneficial things you can do for your heart than drinking alcohol. Stop thinking in binary.

    6. Re:Six (pack) of one, half a dozen of the other by Daetrin · · Score: 1

      There are far more beneficial things you can do to reduce your odds of cancer than not drinking alcohol. Stop thinking in binary.

      --
      This Space Intentionally Left Blank
  12. Drinking helps you push through discomfort. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    You're drinking alone while you work probably because it helps numb your mental fatigue and/or your muscular pain from hunching over a computer.

    Here's how to stop drinking: Every time you crave some alcohol, evaluate yourself for why you are craving it; if you notice that your neck/shoulders are killing you, or that you're actually kind of tired, then take a damn break! Do some exercises, or stretching, or take a nap, or get a snack. Eventually, you'll retrain the AI in your head to associate those alternatives (rather than alcohol) with an improvement in your sense of comfort.

    Hey, drinking was once useful to you; it's not anymore. That's all there is to it; you are in control.

    1. Re:Drinking helps you push through discomfort. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This! When you crave a drink, do a 10 minute mobility work out and have a large glass of water. I've found that the craving to drink goes away about ~50% of the time. That said, I drink when I don't crave it too ;).

  13. Re:bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Which leads me to think getting cancer has a lot more to do with genetics than external factors.

  14. This explains APK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess this explains APK then.That and fetal alcohol syndrome. Maybe his mom doing 5lbs of blow a day too. Dammit I forgot about his eating of paint chips also.

  15. If someone offers you a beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If someone offers you a beer, according to this research, they are trying to kill you.

  16. I managed to stop and it's been 2 years. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I like to share my story with fellow techies.I was a heavy drinker. I started drinking when I was in 16 or 17, but never abused much until I was 40 or 41. Then I started drinking heavily , 1-2 bottles of Brandy or Whiskey a week and been and wine occasionally. I knew I had a problem, but I was't an alcoholic to anyone . I had a few minor accidents. Finally I started thinking about why I need to drink. The underlying problem was an unhappy relationship. That ended almost 2 years back after 16 years. I given up drinking and smoking almost the same time. This may not be popular here, but I turned into spiritual help and it worked wonders in my life. I don't have any temptations anymore. I am with smokers and go to bar with friends, but enjoy a pepsi or water with them. I don't take a moral position on who can drink responsibility, but I think there are people who shouldn't be drinking. And never user alcohol to resolve solve and actual problem like relationship or join pain.
    I exercise regularly and eat right. My triglycerides is with in the range and sleep changed. At 45 I feel like 22. I lost a lot of friends when I stopped drinking, but they were probably not friends to begin with. I am in a new relationship and hopefully everything is behind me. I know some of the stories are very true . Good luck and never give up.

  17. Turn red when drinking? Read: by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

    Acetaldehyde is the primary hangover poison. But that's a key you can pay attention to. If your not feeling sick in the morning, your not exceeding your livers capacity to metabolize acetaldehyde, at least not by much.

    From TFS:

    The study builds on previous work that had pinpointed a breakdown product of alcohol, called acetaldehyde, as a toxin that can damage the DNA within cells.

    Those who turn red in the face after drinking (Asians often have a genetic issue that causes this, btw) should pay particular attention to this symptom; the reason for the red face is an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, which results in an accumulation of acetaldehyde, which in turn has been associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

    cite

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  18. NOT bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Be careful. You can develop a drinking problem

  19. YOU ARE GOING TO DIE. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    At least if you're male, if nothing else kills you, prostate cancer most certainly will.

    But if you're not male, it doesn't matter really - stick around long enough, and you cannot avoid your cells fucking up during reproduction.

    No Magic Science Diet Woo is going to change that.

    Tonight we drink, for tomorrow, or hopefully a few decades from now at least, we die.

    1. Re:YOU ARE GOING TO DIE. by hey! · · Score: 2

      While what you say is true after a fashion consider: modern medicine has developed a near-miraculous capacity for keeping you going for years, even decades after you get sick. What it hasn't accomplished is make going those bonus years of ill-health fun.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  20. I'm not, but half of the people around me are. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There really isn't a good way to solve it yourself unless you are willing to change your *ENTIRE LIFESTYLE*.

    That may sound a bit ominous and crazy, but it is true. Your friends will try and drag you back into drinking with them, you will find peer pressure difficult to withstand, and as you cut back on drinking, many of your friends will likely turn on you for not 'partying with them'.

    While I haven't dealt with this personally, my parents have run into it with their 50-70 aged crowd of friends, and a cousin who has finally after three years started purging her social circle after multiple incidents with drunk friends at annual events have lead her to agree with my opinion on running dry social events. While she hasn't done it yet, she's been cutting back on the alcohol at her parties, and noting how many of her presents are booze related, indicating people didn't really know much about her outside of alcohol.

  21. Dr. Johnny Fever! by sycodon · · Score: 1

    As we all know and as has been Proven by no less than the Great Dr. Johnny Fever, drinking makes your reflexes faster

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
  22. This week by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Next week, who knows.

  23. After reading this... by GerryGilmore · · Score: 1

    ...I need a drink!!

  24. Re: Allahu Snackbar, the Quoran is proven right !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Explains why practicing moslems are generally (exceptions exist) more terse and less open and happy than christians. It's quite obvious when you deal with Lebanese where both religions coexist.

  25. tongs and hammer by epine · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Alcohol below the 'hangover' level is about as bad for you as sugar.

    Sugar: The Bitter Truth — 2009, 7.5 million views

    The Hacking of the American Mind with Dr. Robert Lustig — 2017

    John Yudkin: the man who tried to warn us about sugar — 2014

    If you look up Robert Lustig on Wikipedia, nearly two-thirds of the studies cited there to repudiate Lustig's views were funded by Coca-Cola.

    Many serious people now believe that excess fructose (which is metabolized in the liver through much the same pathway as ethanol) is the largest single causal component to the metabolic syndrome epidemic, which is itself one of the largest single causes of runaway healthcare costs in the United States.

    Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss — 2013

    He interviewed hundreds of current and former food industry insiders — chemists, nutrition scientists, behavioural biologists, food technologists, marketing executives, package designers, chief executives and lobbyists.

    What he uncovered is chilling: a hard-working industry composed of well-paid, smart, personable professionals, all keenly focused on keeping us hooked on ever more ingenious junk foods; an industry that thinks of us not as customers, or even consumers, but as potential "heavy users".

    How the Food Makers Captured Our Brains — 2009

    As head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. David A. Kessler served two presidents and battled Congress and Big Tobacco. But the Harvard-educated pediatrician discovered he was helpless against the forces of a chocolate chip cookie.
    ...
    Foods rich in sugar and fat are relatively recent arrivals on the food landscape, Dr. Kessler noted. But today, foods are more than just a combination of ingredients. They are highly complex creations, loaded up with layer upon layer of stimulating tastes that result in a multisensory experience for the brain. Food companies "design food for irresistibility," Dr. Kessler noted. "It's been part of their business plans."

    Sugar is the tongs and the hammer.

    As Lustig once said (from memory): given the choice between sugar and alcohol, I'll take alcohol, because you can only drink yourself under the table once a day.

  26. seriosuly? you only noticed that now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    dude you are whst you eat. and everybody who drinks are jerks. i smoke pot and love myself.

  27. "Can" vs "Will" by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

    Actually, I think the title of this post explains it all - there's a few thousand miles of difference between "can cause" and "will cause."

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  28. Phoenix Tears by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First step for me was being genetically predisposed to gout. Then getting gout, then quitting meat as well as alcohol for a year and STILL getting gout. For the gout, uloric completely cured me, however i do have to take a pill once a day every day. I did not start drinking again, and now am at year three.

    I still think about drinking lots, however what i do since medical marijuana is legal where i am, is take some phoenix tears whenever i have a craving. I completely lose the urge to drink and it does not return for a few days at least. I dont like smoking joints (lung butter, reduced lung performance, chronic coughs) however i also use a vapourizer on occasion.

    Anyways thats my recommendation. Phoenix tears. If you have an addictive personality and or you just find life boring without drinking, you might try switching to thc and cbd. Its far less harmful, i get next to no headaches now, my weight is wayy down and i dont have to exercise as hard to keep it off. I am also far less moody, angry and more mellow.

    I really dont think you drink that much though. I would drink 2.5 bottles of wine a day, but i much prefer a mikki of liquor every day and 2 beers. As you can imagine this got really expensive. Did home brewing as well to try and overcome the cost, but its true what they say that you can only drink 30 glasses of beer a day no matter how rich you are... and i would never really get drunk was the real kicker. if i drank fast (350ml liquor every hour), or had something that was 60%, then maybe. Most times i would just fall asleep, so in the end it was pointless to continue.

    tldr: phoenix tears.buy at a dispensary near you!

  29. By Neruos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This just in...

    Almost anything can cause a genetic change to the bodies cells! Water, Sunlight, Foods, Air...
    Every cell in the Human body has the chance of becoming a cancer cell...

    Instead of articles about what causes it, I only want to hear/read about those that cure it. Everything can cause cancer, because cancer is you, go ask a fish.

    1. Re:By Neruos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not just fish, because I just asked planet Earth and it also answered yes, humans causes cancer.

  30. Re: bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thanks for the laugh, that was a good joke.
    Also, drinking alcohol kills some cells. But if you study natural selection, only the weakest gets killed. Hence, drinking alcohol just kills weak and slow cells and thereby leaving you with a very strong and healthy cells on your body every time you binge on alcohol.

  31. How much and how long? by whitroth · · Score: 1

    The immediate questions that come to mind are how much alcohol, and how long?

    I mean, is this a beer or one mixed drink, a shot or so, a day, or are we talking alcoholics who need alcohol all the time, or the binge drinkers, who are doing it most weekend?

    I remember the Studies Proving The Killer Weed Causes Cancer. Um, yupper, they were using mice, and if you smoked that much, you'd be asleep 20 or more hours a day, and either smoking or eating the rest of your waking hours, *and* you'd need really, really potent weed.

    I expect this to be the same. And are they also worried about elephants, who have been documented going out of their way to drink rotted, fermented fruits? Or monkeys doing the same? Or that maybe we've been drinking since we were proto-human?

    Or maybe The Monolith started dispensing booze.....