Responsible drinking – craft beer isn’t a mask for alcoholism

I took a beer break this week, no blogging, no drinking, just shut it off.

It wasn’t a planned thing; I didn’t really have any reason other than I just didn’t feel like drinking. I’m happy that I have the ability to do that, just shut it off; I worry sometimes that in an attempt to promote the drink that I love that I’m also painting a positive picture of a more destructive lifestyle.

To be clear this is a beer blog, it’s not my job, I don’t drink all day and write about it, I have a full time job, a wife and two kids and as much as beer is part of my life it’s not the driver. Beer is something I enjoy, the business, the process, the product and I enjoy sharing my thoughts on these things which is why I do this blog.

The reason I decided to write this post is not because I want to brag about a week off of beer, I don’t think any of you really care about that, I’m writing because of the concern I have for the image that I or any of my fellow beer bloggers/writers may portray. On Wednesday I took a peek at my blog analytics, just curious to see how a quiet week looked and the list of popular search engine terms caught my attention, someone found my blog using the search term “I’m not an alcoholic because I drink craft beer”.

“I’m not an alcoholic BECAUSE I drink craft beer”

Because?

Now I understand why this search term hit my page, my tagline, “I’m not an alcoholic I just still believe it’s safer to drink beer than water”. I hope my readers see that and just chuckle, that came from my twitter profile where it was meant to be a humorous nod towards the history of beer, when it was safer to drink beer than water. I don’t exclusively drink beer.

“I’m not an alcoholic because I drink craft beer”, I read it a few times and every time it just sounded darker and darker to me. Is this a mask for a bigger problem?  A form of denial or justification for a habit that’s gotten out of hand? Or is it like my tagline just a joke? It’s probably printed on a t-shirt somewhere but that doesn’t make it ok.

I love craft beer and in saying that you have to read I love alcohol, but I don’t want to promote or glamorize alcohol abuse. It’s a problem, a problem that has very negative effects on people, their families and careers.

I feel the responsible thing for me to do is provide help links and phone numbers for those who may need them.  I have added these links to a page on my blog as well so they are available if needed.

For general info:
http://www.aa.org

For pragmatic advice/articles and opportunity to seek expert opinions/answers to questions for free:
www.choosehelp.com

Alcohol/Drug Abuse Hotline:
1-800-662-HELP

Al-Anon/Alateen Hotline
Hope & Help for young people who are the relatives & friends of a problem drinker.
1-800-344-2666

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters
1-800-356-9996 for support for those whose loved ones have substance abuse problems/addiction

If you feel like you or someone close to you is in trouble, reach out, ask the question.

To my fellow beer bloggers, I challenge you to do the same, provide information for substance abuse on your blog, do a post, add a page, whatever you feel is right but promote safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, and don’t forget to take a break every once in a while, habits are easier made than broken.

Chaddah

 

Special Thanks to Jim LaPierre of the blog, Recovery Rocks, for supplying me the Links and Phone numbers above.

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.