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ARE BAHAMIANS FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLICS? - Defining ‘gray area’ drinking

Fri, May 28th 2021, 12:00 AM
Food/Cooking Health Bahamas Local Stories

By: Jhanae Winter

There is a fine line between casual drinking and alcoholism, and that line is gray.
Most Bahamians spend their entire lives drinking and were introduced to alcohol at a young age.
Natural disasters, holiday weekends, special events, family gatherings all seem to be occasions for alcohol consumption and in many increases, the increase of it. For example, along with buying hurricane shutters, some were buying cases of Bud Light or bottles of Stolichnaya.
During the pandemic drinking habits for many seemingly got worse. An American study surveying adults drinking during the pandemic found alcohol consumption increased because of stress, boredom and easy access.
During the lockdown of the nation by the Competent Authority in 2020, Bahamians found a way to get access to their beers and spirits. With bars closed and no way to get to them, several Liquor stores and alcohol distributors put out special deals and bundles during these times.
For some everyday after work they consume a combination of strong liquor, beers and wine to relax from their day. Many have to have several cups or bottles of alcohol and Friday’s Happy Hour is a must.
Personally, as someone who doesn’t drink, when people discover this, they are always shocked. One person went so far as to ask me “So what do you do for fun then? You don’t even have wine?” Sometimes the reactions are want to make me feel like I have confessed to committing a major crime.
Let’s think back to the past year or two, how much alcohol have you consumed?
Was it casual drinking like at an event or restaurant, or were you home at 2pm and by then you had already consumed three bottles of beer?
What is ‘gray area’ drinking?
‘Gray area’ drinking is a term that broadens the spectrum of alcohol consumption. It’s not a new definition but has been around for more than a decade. For a long time, you were either an alcoholic or not an alcoholic; very black or white. But oftentimes those distinctions become blurred creating gray areas. This gray area drinking can range from moderate drinking to alcohol abuse.
The complexity of gray area drinking is that many don't think they have a problem or that they need to slow down on their alcohol consumption, because they have not hit “rock-bottom” or experienced a “wake up call”, as a result of their drinking.
When we think of alcoholism or having a drinking problem, we equate it to being abusive and violent. Or we tend to envision someone laying in their house all day because they're too drunk to engage in society. Similarly we think of parents/adults who neglect children and responsibilities.
But ‘gray area’ drinkers can be closer to the “normal” spectrum and rarely experience such extremities.
However ‘gray area’ drinkers do experience inward feelings of guilt or shame for drinking so much. They are conscious and worry if their drinking might be a problem for themselves or anyone else around them.
Have you ever said to yourself, “ I’m going to stop drinking” and place a particular time frame on yourself to go without drinking? Or simply tell yourself you need to stop drinking.
Many ‘gray area’ drinkers do this and what makes this a concerning issue is when they can't follow through. Instead they think “ #!@* it” and revert to the same habits they tried to stop.
The consistent on and off relationship to drinking can turn into an issue because if it wasn’t a problem, they would be able to stop at any time.
On top of that ‘gray area’ drinkers also put a limit on their drinking. Have you ever said “I’ll just have one glass of wine tonight” or “I will just take two shots, I know my limit” and convince yourself you will stick to these rules. Then all of a sudden you drink three quarters of the wine bottle or drink so many shots you think the stars are within your reach?
These are the characteristics of ‘gray area’ drinking. It is not as obvious as alcoholism but it must be managed carefully to not lead to it.
Drinking, in particular excessive drinking is such a normal part of many Bahamians’ lives. In every event, celebration, grieving, party or even sitting on the corner, you might find an alcoholic beverage in someone’s hand. It has become so normal and socially acceptable that many may not realize the dangers of their drinking.
Being honest and real with yourself is the first step to addressing the problem, if there is one.
American Physicians ask simple questions in the acronym of CAGE to assess and determine if someone has a drinking problem.
CAGE is made up of four questions:
Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking (Cut down)?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking (Annoyed)?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking (Guilty)?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?
If you’ve answered yes to two or more of these questions, it is of concern and clearly help is necessary. But you know yourself best, if alcohol is a “touchy” subject for you and you are irritated by these sorts of conversations, you are advised to seek help that best fits your needs.
All Bahamians know why they consume alcohol, but if it is beginning to consume you, then taking a step back and analyzing your drinking habits is a must. Help is available through medical professionals, counseling services or trusting a non-judgmental or an enabling friend or family member.

There is a fine line between casual drinking and alcoholism, and that line is gray.

Most Bahamians spend their entire lives drinking and were introduced to alcohol at a young age.

Natural disasters, holiday weekends, special events, family gatherings all seem to be occasions for alcohol consumption and the increase of it. For example, along with buying hurricane shutters, some would buy cases of Bud Light or bottles of Stolichnaya as apart of their hurricane preparations.

In 2020, drinking habits for many seemingly got worse. An American study surveying adults drinking during the pandemic, found alcohol consumption increased because of stress, boredom and alcohol availability.

As the Prime Minister had the nation on several locakdowns throughout 2020, Bahamians found a way to get access to their beers and spirits. When bars were closed and Bahamains movements were limited, several Liquor stores and alcohol distributors put out special deals and bundles and made the distribution process eaier than before. All so Bahamians could have their liquor.

For some everyday after work they consume a combination of strong liquor, beers and wine to relax from their day. Many have to have several cups or bottles of alcohol and Friday’s Happy Hour is a must.

Personally, as someone who doesn’t drink, when people discover this, they are always shocked. One person went so far as to ask me “So what do you do for fun then? You don’t even have wine?” Sometimes the reactions are as if I confessed to committing a crime.

Let’s think back over the past year or two, how much alcohol have you consumed?

Was it casual drinking, like at an event or restaurant, or were you home at 2pm and by then you had already consumed three bottles of beer?

What is ‘gray area’ drinking?

'Gray area’ drinking is a term that broadens the spectrum of alcohol consumption. It’s not a new definition but has been around for more than a decade. For a long time, you were either an alcoholic or not an alcoholic; very black or white. But oftentimes those distinctions become blurred creating gray areas. This 'gray area' drinking can range from moderate drinking to alcohol abuse.

The complexity of 'gray area' drinking is that many don't think they have a problem or that they need to slow down on their alcohol consumption, because they have not hit “rock-bottom” or experienced a “wake up call”, as a result of their drinking.

When we think of alcoholism or having a drinking problem, we equate it to being abusive and violent. Or we tend to envision someone laying in their house all day because they're too drunk to engage in society. Similarly, we think of parents/adults who neglect thier children and responsibilities.

But ‘gray area’ drinkers can be closer to the “normal” spectrum and rarely experience such extremities.

However ‘gray area’ drinkers do experience inward feelings of guilt or shame for drinking so much. They are conscious and worry if their drinking might be a problem for themselves or anyone else around them.

Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m going to stop drinking” and place a particular time frame on yourself to go without drinking? Or simply tell yourself "I need to stop drinking".

Many ‘gray area’ drinkers do this and what makes this a concerning issue is when they can't follow through. Instead they think “F*@! IT” and revert to the same habits they tried to stop.

The consistent on and off relationship to drinking can turn into an issue; because if it wasn’t a problem, they would be able to stop at any time.

On top of that, ‘gray area’ drinkers also put a limit on their drinking. Have you ever said, “I’ll just have one glass of wine tonight” or “I will just take two shots, I know my limit” and convince yourself you will stick to these rules. Then all of a sudden you drink three quarters of the wine bottle or drink so many shots you think the stars are within your reach?

These are the characteristics of ‘gray area’ drinking. It is not as obvious as alcoholism but it must be managed carefully to not lead to it.

Drinking, in particular excessive drinking is such a normal part of many Bahamians’ lives. In every event, celebration, grieving, party or even sitting on the corner, you might find an alcoholic beverage in someone’s hand. It has become so normal and socially acceptable that many may not realize the dangers of their drinking.

Being honest and real with yourself is the first step to addressing the problem, if there is one.

American Physicians ask simple questions in the acronym of CAGE to assess and determine if someone has a drinking problem.

CAGE is made up of four questions:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking (Cut down)?

Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking (Annoyed)?

Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking (Guilty)?

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?

If you’ve answered yes to two or more of these questions, it is of concern and clearly help is necessary. But you know yourself best, if alcohol is a “touchy” subject for you and you are irritated by these sorts of conversations, you are advised to seek help that best fits your needs.

All Bahamians know why they consume alcohol, but if it is beginning to consume you, then taking a step back and analyzing your drinking habits is a must. Help is available through medical professionals, counseling services or simply trusting a non-judgmental, enabling friend or family member to talk to.

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