Guys ,,i was talking to a friend of mine ,,and he told me that his father is admitted in the hospital ,,when i asked about the reason , unfortunately he said alcohol .

It's something no one can deny that this thing happens sometimes in our country !!

It's really sad to see a member of ur family doing someting like that ,,especially when it comes from someone supposed to be an example for u ,,like father ,,old brother !!

Don't think this problem is widely spread in Oman ?

Any one out there consume alcohol ? (don't worry tell us )

Has any of you experienced such thing with one of his family's members ?

What would you do ,,if one of ur relatives is alcoholic ?? how you gonna stop him !!!

p.s Could you plzz take this issue from the social point of view ,,as everybody knows it's 7aram .

quite an interesting topic Navigator..

I was going to open a similar thread.. I really want to know, is there an alcohol problem in our society?!!!! I remember a thread was opened a while ago, and some members were saying how quite a large number of Omani men consume alcohol and go to bars and night clubs.. is it true??? we might not be able to get correct statistics, since whoever does might be doing it secretly..


I really wonder what makes people want to drink..

first, alcohol stinks big time.. I bet its taste is yukky as well..

second, people who drink turn into animals.. they can no longer comprehend what happens around them.. and can no longer control their actions..

third, for those who are muslims.. alcohol is a major sin.. and life is too short!! can't they be patient in this world inorder to gain eternal bliss in the next world? is it worth it - waisting your health, money and gaining sins?? makes me wonder..

besides all these points, no one can deny the major health risks of consuming alcohol!!

I want to know one good thing about it that makes people drink like crazy..


I also want to know if the problem exists in Oman or not.. but I can say I have never seen a drunk person walking around the streets in Oman.. this is why I really get surprised when people claim that there is a drinking problem in our country.. is there?!!!

(if anyone asks i usually answer no, since I havent witnessed it myself :rolleyes: )

As for what can be done to stop people from drinking, I believe the first action that should be done is to pray for them (making du3a').. I cant stress how powerful a mother's du3a can be.. pray that Allah guide them and make them better Muslims.. I'm sure praying for them would soften their hearts by the will of Allah..


what else?

do you think banning alcohol would work?! or perhaps selling it a very high price..?

how about trying to educate them about the dangers and health risks of drinking..

people are usually more concerened about their health.. so maybe if they see that this evil drink is starting to damage their health they would think twice and thrice before drinking..

As for me, no member of my family is alcohol addicted but I know many friends who have some members of their families' addicted to alcohol. One time a friend of mine invited me to his house; he was a very generous man with many good characteristics. Before I entered his house he told me that I might notice some strange things but I have to ignore them and just take every thing easy. For my surprise, when I entered the house I saw three men between 40and 45 drinking some kind of alcohol and they were completely drunken any way I didn't spend much time with them because i was completely frightened. He told me that those people were his uncle and his friends and no need to be scared or any kind of that thing but I insisted on leaving and left. What to do with such kind of people? the best thing to do with this kind of people first to advice them little by little and step by step don't come to them and say don't drink alcohol because it's haram or forbidden but try to show them the advantages of leaving alcohol and the disadvantages of continuing to drink it and so on but as I told u go step by step and little by little. I have been to some hotels in Oman and saw many youth drinking alcohol without any supervision. Why is that? I think that is because of their parents not caring about them and because the state allows them to do so. then also to stop this problem u have to go inside these people hearts and find if they are having some problems with their families or with their work and help them in solving these problems because as i know people tend to go astray when they have many problems and don't know what to do.

Nav,

Sorry to hear about your friend's father. Alcoholism is a terrible thing. Like any addiction, it is the psychological disorder that is difficult to treat. Pretty much anything you can be addicted to can be useful if used properly. Alcohol is no exception. But when somebody develops this illness, the physical effects of prolonged consumption of massive amounts of alcohol can be very bad. Short-term memory loss, poor motor skills, cirrhosis and even cancer of the liver, and some association with heart disease in extreme cases.

You said you wanted to talk about the social rather that religious aspects of alcohol (leave the "sins" alone Bimz!).

There is a difference between alcoholism and consumption of alcohol. The 80% or so of the world's population who consider alcohol as something normal in their lives would probably resent the implication that they are all alcoholics! In Oman it is complicated by the religious issue, but yes, there are plenty who drink. Not just the ones in the "Western-style" bars, but in the (far more numerous) "taxi bars", and even the fishermen on the beach. Alcohol is everywhere in this country just like any other. I'm sure the percentage of drinkers is lower than in, say, a European country, but it is silly to pretend it's unusual.

One of the reasons why any drug becomes a problem is through ignorance. There is no public education in Oman, about alcohol or other drugs (or at least not that I have seen) - even smoking, which many also oppose for religious reasons. But when there is information, whether given through a public forum or in person from e.g. parent to child, it has got to be accurate.

And Bimmie, I've got to contest your "cautions" against alcohol!

1. No, it doesn't smell or taste unpleasant. There are a million different drinks of course, but it's a matter of taste. There is a kind of alcoholic drink for every taste!

2. Having a drink will not turn you into an animal. Alcohol is a mild depressant, which in small doses is relaxing and may ease anxiety and shyness. In greater doses, it will start to ease inhibitions to the point of impaired judgement, and start to show physically - slurred speech, poor balance, sleepiness. When someone has taken a great deal of alcohol, their moods may be exaggerated. An angry person may become violent, a sad person morbid, a happy person euphoric.

3. Health risks? Well yes...as described above, but only in excess. Small amounts of alcohol are thought to be healthy. Intermittent "Binge-drinking" over a prolonged period is the worst kind. A small daily "dose", such as drinking a glass of wine with lunch or dinner, may be good for you - erd wine and real ale are particularly recommended as healthy in small amounts.

4. Ban alcohol? Well you could. Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran...what an odd combination. And of course, alcohol is frely available in those two other countries as well, it just feeds major organised crime networks (look up "prohibition" in the US in the 1920s).

5. Charge a high price? You already do. And make a huge bureaucracy around it. Maybe that's one of the reasons a beautiful country has no tourist industry - who wants to pay OR 20 for a crappy bottle of wine? Or be told they can't have something that's available in 90% of world supermarkets because it's 4pm!


Yes, educate people about the dangers. But don't exaggerate and make things up. In the 1980's there was a problem in the UK with heroin addiction. A massive campaign was launched: "drugs will kill you" "drugs are horrible" "you will be an addict and a bum if you even try". Impressive stuff, designed to scare people away completely and get rid of the risk of addiction. But it didn't work. Why? Because every teenager knows that if you try hash, weed, speed, LSD, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine or whatever, it won't kill you. It won't make you addicted. Chances are it will make you feel fantastic. It takes a pattern of use to establish an addiction. And a heavy addiction to turn you into a bum.

So when you exaggerate, people know it and assume you're lying altogether. And then they ignore the real information about health risks, because they can't tell the difference between the fact and the fiction. That's exactly what you're doing with alcohol (and lot of other socieities still do with other drugs - ecstasy is a good example in the UK).

Leave people to decide their own religious observances. But if you want to educate, then get educated first.

Originally posted by mimosa

Leave people to decide their own religious observances. But if you want to educate, then get educated first.

Hear Hear!

Brilliant... may I quote you on that...

welcome back to sabla Mimosa! I knew you would add some flavor to the topic :wink:

Ok.. I'll stop talking about it from a religious point of view, since we're concentrating on the social aspect..


Mimosa:1. No, it doesn't smell or taste unpleasant. There are a million different drinks of course, but it's a matter of taste. There is a kind of alcoholic drink for every taste!

maybe you're right.. its a matter of taste..

but many of the people who actually drink alcohol, dont really drink it because of its "pleasant" taste, but because of social/peer pressure..ie, they force themselves to drink alcohol inorder to be accepted by the society.. I've heard this from more than one person..

Mimosa:2. Having a drink will not turn you into an animal. Alcohol is a mild depressant, which in small doses is relaxing and may ease anxiety and shyness. In greater doses, it will start to ease inhibitions to the point of impaired judgement, and start to show physically - slurred speech, poor balance, sleepiness. When someone has taken a great deal of alcohol, their moods may be exaggerated. An angry person may become violent, a sad person morbid, a happy person euphoric.

whats the difference between a person who has no control over his mind and an animal?! this is how I personally view it..

only two days ago I saw a man who was literally crawling on the floor in the busiest area of the city.. it was early in the afternoon.. and it seems that this man had been drinking all day.. the scene was unbelievable really.. the guy couldnt even carry himself.. he would swing for two steps then fall on the ground and start crawling for soem time.. then up he stands again.. tries to walk..but boom.. down on the floor he falls again.. i woder what his end was.. but I was honeslt disgusted..

why?! why put yourself in that position?! I really dont understand!!


Another thing I'd like to add:

Two years ago, we had a "how to stay safe on campus" lecture that was given by a police officer in the university.. in this lecture, the Police officer never stopped repeating how alcohol is the main cause of most crimes happening in the university.. I can still remember him saying " I personaly never get close to that drink.. I wouldnt want to interfere with your lives, but I would advice you not to as well"..



I think I would agree with you that banning wouldnt work.. because just as is happening in some countries, bottels of alcohols are being passed beneath the table.. so banning is not a solution..

I like your last sentence:

Leave people to decide their own religious observances. But if you want to educate, then get educated first

Nice post Mim and i totally agree with you..


Bim

but many of the people who actually drink alcohol, dont really drink it because of its "pleasant" taste, but because of social/peer pressure..ie, they force themselves to drink alcohol inorder to be accepted by the society.. I've heard this from more than one person..

Personally i love the taste of red wine and of Guiness. this has nothing to do with peer pressure or being socially accepted i just like the taste and enjoy drinking it as im sure do many.


whats the difference between a person who has no control over his mind and an animal?! this is how I personally view it..

Are you saying an animal has no control over its mind. that could open a huge debate in itself but back to the point you are using an extreme situation of abuse of alchohol and to be honest a minority case. As mim talked about doing anything in moderation. .A moderate amount of alchohol can just relax you. I enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of cool beer after a stressfull day at work. Im not saying that i need it but i am saying that there is no harm in that and it wont necassarily lead to me falling over in the road.



Two years ago, we had a "how to stay safe on campus" lecture that was given by a police officer in the university.. in this lecture, the Police officer never stopped repeating how alcohol is the main cause of most crimes happening in the university.. I can still remember him saying " I personaly never get close to that drink.. I wouldnt want to interfere with your lives, but I would advice you not to as well"..

One mans opinion and one which i doubt bears little hard evidence of it being the highest cause of crime.. But with that arguement i think it would be fair to say that religion is probably responsible for most wars. would you advise people to not be religous..

That said yes Bim alchohol does have negative effects when abused but then what doesnt?

I saw this thread and could not resist not posting!
What I am going to say is personal so don't quote me on it:

I LOATH ALCOHOL ... (now I got that off my chest... it feels better :(!!I have not known one person in my life who drinks and does NOT go off the limit every now and then...!!

I have a very close family member who drinks.. and I must say he has made us 'loath' this drink! As the change in his personality following the drink ... had a major negative influence on our lives... when he is not drinking he is perfect ... just during the drink was ... a night-mare!!

As Bimi said ... I find the smell of many alcoholic drinks quite 'disturbing' .. may be this is felt only by the people who don't drink.. I don't know! May be something to do with the 'fermintation' or 'alcohol' in itself is a strong odorous substance.

I found Mimosa's reply brilliant and there is not much which can be added to it.

I do know that there are a lots of Omanis who consume alcohol in a "moderate amount" and many do it openely in public bars, restaurants or in the privacy of their home. Though the number might be higher among men, but women are not excluded.

As Mimo said, even if they know that it is "religiously" not acceptable, they still do it and sincerely do not see anything wrong with it at that particular moment. It is done mainly to socialize or to decompress after a long day and I suppose they will have couple of drinks the same way that they could have a snack. It is only when the topic of religion comes "on the table" that they admit that consuming alcohol is not good, that they should not drink...but still do it.

I do not directly know anyone in Oman who is an alcoholic, but I have friends who do have a friend or a member of their family suffering from that problem. Someone become alcoholic when he can't live without consuming a high amount of alcohol on a daily basis. Some can end up being out of control and lost in another world, but others have such a strong resistance that you might not even be aware that they have such a problem.

Someone who seriously falls into alcoholism needs medical help, as the chance to become "clean" again is nearly impossible if done on its own. Unfortunately, most alcoholics do not accept that they have a problem and therefore do not want to seek help...

:wink: Personally, i feel that drinks with limits is alright and i know some people are against it because its "haram" if you are muslim or part of any other religion...this is understandable and i respect everyones different points of view. However it is a problem in oman and many other arab countries and by now we have to realize that we cant "STOP" people from making their own choices. We should always advise our loved ones if we think they are walking in the wrong line, but at the end of the day its up to them to decide what they want to do.

Lots of omanis or should i say lots of arabs go to the pubs and clubs in oman - to be honest i have been a few times and i have tried to drink before - ive seen people drink to excess and get drunk and ive been in a car before where the person driving was not safe to be with - but yella it happens.
We cant STOP it from happening because people will always do what they want because they want to.

Well although some of you might disagree with what I will say but this is how I see it:

I beleive that when a person have this space between Alchol and him he will not reach the level of being alcholic. But, but starting to drink a glass, you will break the ice and will have a higher chance of being alcholic.
So personally, I think that drinking one glass of alchol is a problem in a society like ours and the answer is (as mentioned by mimosa) to be educated how to keep away from it.

I beleive that if Alchol did not create all these problems, why do we have so many alcholic in the world?? the problem will be at least limited if everyone can control thier mind and not reach the level of alcholosim.

I hate all kind of stuff that makes you humulated because it takes your mind away (eg. Smoking, drinking and taking drugs)

Salams,
I think this is a problem everywhere, even in places where drinking is widely accepted. I dont think solving the problem has anything to do with giving advice, or telling them why its wrong to drink. They all know alcohol and it's side effects more than those who dont drink! Alcoholics simply have no self control when it comes to it. I rememeber a person who always tells me that he quit drinking, obviously to him that meant that he didnt have to get drunk every week. Stopping drinking in his point of view has nothing to do with not getting drunk from now and them. The bit that puzzles me is when they say that they get drunk for a laugh... do drunk people really understand how they feel when they are drunk, if they were happy when they were drunk would they understand that, or would they recall it. Till today, I havent met a person who was drunk at one night, and recalled what had happened after recovering. They are told what they had done the night before by other people, which is in my openion could be very embaressing, especialy if their friends refused to tell them what they had done :P.
In conclusion, I understand that being drunk doesn't make the person happy when he is in such a state, and doesnt make him have any good memories about being drunk, because simply there is nothng to recall!
I have no idea about what happens in Oman regarding that, but I assume that people on the extremeties Very Rich/Poor would seek alchohol more than those who are in the middle class, because people of the middle class are the most educated, working class in the society, can't afford to waste their money or time on all that! :P

Thanks

well alcohol is not a very big problem -in a social point of view not islamic- but when it becomes over drinking thats the problem, i know an alcoholic who is only about 30 years old, he used to work in the same company i work in and in the same department, he couldnt even write (hands shaking), he is fired now and still he cant live without alcohol, he used to come to dawam drunk, and ontop of that he was a driver trainer!!!!:confused: :confused: :confused:

and there is another guy with us here in the dawam, he says he doesnt drink alot, which then i found out he drinks twice a week:confused: , and still thats not alot

As far as I know I don;t really think so.. but I do know that many of who I know drink.... and they love it but not still alchoholics...!

Most of my uncles drink wine at dinner....They drink it for the taste.

clear enough :duh:

It doesnt mean iam proud of them

go back to your submarine

LOL