Count wrote:I believe you when you say you have a family history of alcoholism. I believe you when you admit you're impaired after one drink. However, that doesn't mean everybody has a family history of alcoholism, nor the same reaction to alcohol.
I don't think the people who can drink responsibly are the ones in denial.
I think everyone
is impaired after one drink, or more precisely, I think everyone is equally as impaired after one drink if it is the first day in their life that they try a drink, or if they have been heavy drinkers for 20 years. I don't believe that over time you gain a tolerance to the impairing effects of alcohol. I think that over time you simply are desensitized towards your awareness of your degree of impairment.
I never suggested that everyone has a history of alcoholism, and this is where you are making a logical fallacy. I suggested that
even though I have a family history of alcohol, including the experience of being around heavy drinkers most of my life, I
still contend that those who drink without thinking they are impaired are deluded or in denial. This comes from a great amount of personal experience observing people who drink. I can always tell if someone in my family has had at least one drink, even if they claim that they are not impaired after only having one drink.
And yes, I do think that anyone who thinks they can drink and not be impaired is in denial. However I think that some people (including myself) can drink responsibly. Drinking responsibly includes being aware that you are impaired, and making certain that you do not endanger others as a result of your drinking. So if you think going out and drinking "a few beers" will not result in
any impairment, then you are indeed in denial and you are absolutely not drinking "responsibly".