Sep 24, 2023 | drinking, Products
In desperate times, people around the world are rushing out in search of essential items such as food, water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. However, as people head out in mass to secure these items— we find ourselves facing a shortage. For people at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, the lack of available hand sanitizer in particular is threatening. From empty shelves, to a shockingly out-of-stock Amazon, and greedy price gougers— there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. However, a group of unlikely heroes is coming to the rescue: brewers and distillers.
Hand Sanitizer Shortage: Alcohol Industry to the Rescue
International Efforts
Many makers are stepping up to finds way they can fight the hand sanitizer shortage around the world. One of the first companies to take this step was Pernod Ricard. Pernod Ricard is a French drinks group that specializes primarily in whiskeys and vodkas, among other types of alcohol. In fact, they are the company behind some well-known favorites— such as Jameson and Absolut.
Last week, the TTB decided to allow for ethanol-based hand sanitizers. After they were given the green light companies such as Pernod Ricard and Diageo got to work. Diageo supplies Guinness, Captain Morgan, Smirnoff, as well as other popular alcohol options. Now that the gate is open, brewers and distillers are getting to work from Arkansas to Sweden and many other places in between. Many of these companies are making sanitizer on a larger scale to supply hospitals. However, many smaller businesses are focusing in on their local communities.
Statewide Efforts
Take Broad Branch Distiller in Winston Salem for example. Broad Branch has created ‘Whiskey Wash’. Whiskey Wash is a spray hand sanitizer made with a 65% alcohol solution. It is available for free in their tasting room where you can also pick up to-go’s. They are offering the product for free while asking for donations to the WS/FC School Buddy Fund.
Local Efforts
Furthermore, Mecklenburg Co. faces the highest concentration of Coronavirus in the state. Because of this, Unknown Brewing is stepping up to the plate and using their facility to produce hand sanitizer. With 65% ethyl alcohol and essential oils, Good Hands hand sanitizer is available as of today in the taproom for free. Go pick up your Good Hands, your Over The Edge, and a pizza from their resident food truck Passport Dough & Co. They’re even offering combo deals for $20.
Communities coming together
While this virus has not been kind to our community— it is giving us a valuable lesson in what it means to be a community. This time that has shown us the undesirable true colors of some (I’m looking at you, toilet paper hoarder). However, it has also shown us the many ways that local businesses and Charlotteans come together to support one another. From take out orders with 25% tips, to free delivery services, and employee relief funds… We are learning quickly how much Charlotte cares about the people who choose to spend their lives there.
The people here at the Law Offices of Robert J. Reeves P.C. are asking you to stay home when possible. Furthermore, we ask that you sanitize your home, hands, and practice social distancing. The sooner we all listen to the CDC, the sooner life will get back to normal.
Stay home, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the other side.
May 20, 2023 | Alcoholism, drinking
Summertime often makes you think of boozy drinks by the pool and a cold beer at a BBQ. However, if you’re trying to stay sober at summer BBQs it can be hard to imagine what those days might look like. The first step is to plan in advance how you’d like the day to go. Being mentally prepared to be around alcohol is often an important factor in staying in control. You can plan to bring non-alcoholic drinks with you so that you can still have the feeling of a cold drink in your hands. Talk to your friends in advance if you’re comfortable. And finally, remember that you can always opt-out if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Hopefully, you’ll be able to have fun at summer BBQs without having to compromise your goals of staying sober.
How to Stay Sober at Summer BBQs: Stay in Control
Plan in Advance
The first step towards staying sober at summer BBQs is to make a plan in advance. It can be much harder to stick to your goals of avoiding alcohol if you’re confronted with it unexpectedly. If you know in advance that you’ll be around people who will be drinking, it can be easier to resist the temptation when you’re mentally prepared for it. Decide if you’ll feel comfortable being around alcohol at all. If so, you might want to have a plan to leave if things start getting very out of hand. Or if people are peer-pressuring you to join in the drinking.
Bring Mocktails
Staying sober at summer BBQs can be difficult because often standing around talking to people makes you want to feel a cold beer in your hands. If this is the case, give mocktails a try. You can find non-alcoholic beers and wine. Or try your hand at some fancy summery mixed-drink mocktails. Use fancy glasses and don’t forget the mini umbrellas.
Talk to Your Friends
Another way to stay sober at summer BBQs is to talk to your friends in advance. If you’re comfortable with the people that will be at the BBQ, you might let them know about your desire to quit drinking. You never know how people might react. Your group of friends might be very supportive. In fact, they might choose not to even serve alcohol if they know it makes it hard for them. If they don’t want to leave out the alcohol altogether, chances are they won’t try to pressure you to join in the drinking.
Remember You Can Opt Out
The most important thing to remember when trying to stay sober at summer BBQs is that you can always opt-out. You aren’t obligated to attend every event. If it sounds like things will be getting out of hand, feel free to decide in advance that it won’t be a good fit for you. Also, remember that you can leave anytime you want. If you start to feel uncomfortable or are feeling tempted to drink, just leave the party behind. Your sobriety is much more important than a BBQ.
Staying sober at summer BBQs can be difficult since they often conjure up images in your head of alcoholic drinks. However, it’s possible to stay sober. Make a plan in advance so that you won’t be surprised. Bring along non-alcoholic alternatives to help you with cravings. You can also talk to your friends about your desire to quit drinking beforehand. They might be very supportive. And finally, remember that you can opt-out of the get-together if it’s making you uncomfortable. The most important thing is that you stick to your goals of living a sober life. Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy social events like BBQs without compromising your desire to quit drinking.
Mar 18, 2023 | Alcoholism, drinking
Watching out for potential signs of alcoholism in a family member might mean that you catch an addiction early and can get them the support they need to quit. It’s easy to blow off incidents of a friend or family member getting overly intoxicated. However, if it happens regularly, it might be indicative of a problem. If that’s the case, it’s worth digging a little deeper to see if there might be signs of alcoholism. For example, drinking in secret or getting defensive about their drinking. Additionally, they might seem out of control, or you might notice some changes to their personality. If you notice any of these indicators, it’s worth sitting down privately and having a conversation. Hopefully, if there is an addiction issue, you can help them get the help they need to recover.
Potential Signs of Alcoholism in a Family Member: Spotting Early Signals
Drinking in Secret
One of the potential signs of alcoholism in a family member or friend is if you catch them drinking in secret. Or if it seems like their intoxication doesn’t match the drinks you’ve seen them drink. For example, if they go off on their own for a little while and come back acting much drunker. It might be a sign that they are drinking more when nobody is watching. This is common behavior with addicts and can be indicative of alcohol abuse.
They Get Defensive
Another sign of alcoholism in a family member is if they get overly defensive about their drinking. While nobody likes to be put on the spot about their drinking habits, it shouldn’t create a huge amount of anxiety. However, if you notice that your friend or family member gets defensive or lashes out, it might be because they know the drinking is out of hand.
They Seem Out of Control
Everybody has had the experience of watching someone get completely out of control with their drinking. It’s uncomfortable but it does happen. However, if it becomes a regular occurrence, it might be another of the signs of alcoholism in a family member. If they often seem out of control or black out drunk, it’s probably a symptom of a larger problem.
Emotional or Physical Changes
Finally, one of the signs of alcoholism in a family member that you might notice right off the bat is if their personality changes. They might be moodier or grumpy all of the time. There might be signs of interpersonal relationship conflict. Addicts often have a lot of guilt and correspondingly lash out. You might also notice changes in sleeping patterns, changes in appetite, or physical symptoms like weight changes or medical issues.
If you notice signs of alcoholism in a family member, it’s important to acknowledge the problem and not sweep it under the rug. Things like drinking in private, getting defensive, being out of control, or having personality changes are red flags. Privately sit them down and ask if there is any reason to be concerned about their alcohol use. They might be reluctant to open up, but you can always let them know that you are there to support them when they feel ready. Hopefully, they’ll be honest with you and together you can work out a plan for getting them the help they need. You can look into treatment facilities, outpatient programs, or local support group meetings. Having you watching out for them might be the difference between recovery and a lifetime of addiction.
Feb 17, 2023 | drinking, DUI & DWI
Addiction is not just something which affects adults. In fact, youth addiction is a serious problem as well. As such, it’s important for parents to know what they can do to help their kids avoid these substances, or help them get clean…
Youth Addiction: Offering Help
Addiction factors
There’s a lot of factors behind youth addiction. For instance, it could be a result of things such as social influences. Their friends may try and convince them to take these substances because it’s “cool” or “adult-like.” This sort of peer pressure causes many youths to go overboard and end up with an addiction.
However, psychological factors can also contribute to an addiction. If a kid is struggling with something like depression, then they may turn to drugs to try and cope. Other times, it may even be family members or friends whose behavior encourages kids to use these drugs and become addicted because they think it’s okay to do so.
Abused substances
Like with the factors, there’s also many different substances which are involved in youth addiction. Alcohol is probably to most common kind. This is because it’s relatively easier for younger people to get their hands on it. Plus, with how it’s more accepted in adult society, kids don’t fully understand just how dangerous it can be.
In recent times, many younger people have also been developing addictions to opioids. In particular, stimulants and sedatives have been growing in popularity. The former is used mainly by students to try and improve their study and test-taking abilities. The latter is more used in a party context to help them relax, and is frequently taken with alcohol, which is a very dangerous combination.
Providing help
The best way to curb youth addiction is for parents to talk to their kids. Sitting down with them and letting them know about the dangerous is key. Many times, kids simply just don’t know how dangerous or addictive these substances are. By informing them, you can better encourage them to make smarter decisions.
At the same time, parents should also show that they still love and support their kids if they are struggling with an addiction. Odds are, they already feel like they have let you down. By showing you are willing to support them getting clean, this can help encourage them to get the treatment they need.
Jul 17, 2022 | Alcoholism, drinking
If you’re in recovery, you might be concerned about how to have a sober summer. While many picture summer as a time for cold beers or fancy cocktails, it’s possible to still have a great time without risking your sobriety. Just make a plan and remember that it’s okay to say no to some events. In addition, try to avoid falling into old habits with old friends or places. Host events yourself so that you can control the amount of alcohol intake. And finally, if you’re comfortable being around others who are drinking, it’s helpful to bring along a mocktail so that you feel like you’re joining in on the fun. Hopefully, by following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a great summer season without having to risk your recovery.
Sober Summer: How to Keep Your Recovery on Track Over the Summer Holiday
It’s Okay to Say No
The first tip to enjoying a sober summer is to remember that it’s perfectly fine to decline some invitations. Especially if you know that the party is likely to involve a lot of alcohol. And remember, if you get to an event and things are getting wild, it’s totally fine to leave early. The host will understand if it’s a matter of your own health.
Don’t Fall Into Old Habits
It can also help to avoid old habits when trying to have a sober summer. It’s easy to get caught up in nostalgia if you’re hanging out with old friends or at old stomping grounds from your drinking days. If your friends are not supportive of your recovery journey, you might want to limit the times you hang out with them.
Host Yourself
Hosting events yourself is another great way to have a sober summer. If you’re the host you can dictate how much alcohol is around. You can even specify that an event needs to be alcohol-free. If somebody doesn’t want to come to a sober event, then they’re welcome to decline. But at least this way you can control the wildness of the party.
Bring a Mocktail
Finally, if you’re able to be around others who are drinking, it can be helpful to bring along a mocktail for yourself. This way, you’ll feel like you have a drink in your hand without risking your sobriety. It can also help with preventing friends from offering to get you a drink or asking why you aren’t joining in.
It’s possible and easy to have a sober summer as long as you have some determination and a game plan in place. Remember that it’s okay to say no to some events if you think they’ll be wild. In addition, try to avoid places or people from your past drinking days because they’ll be more likely to tempt you to break your sobriety. Choose to host events yourself so that you can dictate how much or how little alcohol there will be. And finally, bring along a delicious mocktail with you so that you feel like you’re joining in on the fun. Just because it’s summertime doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your recovery journey. You’ve worked hard, and staying sober will keep you healthier in the long run.
Apr 29, 2022 | Alcoholism, drinking
There are plenty of excuses to avoid drinking socially that you can use if you aren’t comfortable sharing your sobriety journey. If you are in recovery but don’t necessarily want to tell people about it, then it’s easiest just to end the conversation quickly. You can use medication or health reasons to avoid alcohol. Or you could say that since you’re driving, you don’t want to indulge. You can also use work as an excuse to avoid alcohol. And finally, try just saying that you aren’t in the mood. Hopefully, you’ll be comfortable sharing your recovery soon, but until then, there are plenty of excuses you can use to avoid the conversation.
Excuses to Avoid Drinking Socially: Getting Out of It Without Awkwardness
Medication
One of the excuses to avoid drinking that you can use is medication. There are plenty of medications that have dangerous interactions with alcohol. The bonus of this excuse is that it doesn’t typically invite a lot of follow-up questions. People tend to not want to pry about medical issues.
Driving
Another excuse to avoid drinking is that you are driving. Driving after drinking is incredibly dangerous and should always be avoided. If you are wanting to avoid alcohol, plan to drive to meet your friends. That way, you’ll have a great reason to not join in on the alcohol.
Work
Work is always one of the most popular excuses to avoid drinking and one of the easiest. Unless your drinking buddies work with you, it’s unlikely they’ll know whether or not you’re swamped at work. So you can use this as an easy go-to to get out of drinking. Just say you either need to get work done when you get home, or that you need to be up early to focus on work.
Don’t Feel Like It
Finally, one of the best excuses to avoid drinking is saying that you simply don’t feel like it. If there are follow-up questions, just say that you aren’t in the mood or that you have a headache. You can also simply say “not tonight” to indicate that you’re still game, but just not at the moment. If you’re meeting somebody new you can just say that you don’t enjoy alcohol.
It’s important to have some excuses to avoid drinking if you’re in recovery. If you aren’t yet ready to share with the rest of the world, then you’ll need to have some reasons ready to go. Try using antibiotics as an excuse, or saying that you’re not feeling up to it for some reason. You can also say that you need to be sober in order to drive home. Work is always an easy go-to excuse to get out of all kinds of things, drinking included. And finally, you can simply say that you aren’t in the mood or don’t feel like it. Hopefully, you’ll be able to share your experience with recovery someday. But until then, it’s a good idea to have some excuses to avoid drinking ready to go just in case.
