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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about 3 vodka lemonades....

70 replies

TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 14:48

Just reading about a sad story of a mother dying of alcohol poisoning reported in several places.

They all say that she had 3 vodka lemonades and was not a heavy drinker but was used to that amount of alcohol. 380mg/100ml is not by any stretch 3 vodka lemonades, unless you are using a pint glass and have very little lemonade in it, and if you are used to that amount of alcohol then you are by definition a heavy drinker

Compare to this article for example where a musician had the same level of alcohol but was described as ^a massive amount of alcohol and enough to send most people into a coma. The tests showed he was a heavy drinker and had been abusing alcohol over a period of time. His body just seems to have given up on him that night with all the booze he consumed

AIBU to think that this is an odd way to report this sad event, and also irresponsible?

Also AIBU to be really surprised at how high the drink driving limit is in th UK, the highest in Europe?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 16:33

It's legal but its not readily available.

The point here is that there is no suggestion that she drank anything but regular vodka, but all reports appear to be claiming that she drank an amount that could not have killed her, and yet it did. It doesn't add up at all, but the same reports are in multiple news outlets.
I know we're a post truth society now, but don't journalists check the most obvious facts?

OP posts:
roundaboutthetown · 23/02/2017 16:36

Why would they have to when you are happy to make up the facts for them? You know even less than the journalists do, clearly, yet you have still chosen to pass judgement and condemn the woman.

BertieBotts · 23/02/2017 16:37

According to the wikipedia link I shared, if she weighed 40-45kg (6-7 stone) 7 or 8 drinks could put someone at that blood alcohol level. And that is assuming less than 40% vodka in each shot. I was reasoning that 6 shots + a bit extra each time could easily add up to 7 or 8. She doesn't look underweight though so who knows. Terribly sad :( Poor woman. It makes sense she possibly drank more after her partner went to bed and was just unlucky.

LagunaBubbles · 23/02/2017 16:38

Also AIBU to be really surprised at how high the drink driving limit is in th UK, the highest in Europe?

Scotland has lowered the drink driving limit.

Miserylovescompany2 · 23/02/2017 16:45

The article said she suffered from high blood pressure. Could that mixed with alcohol of caused death? Whatever the cause. A family has been left without a mother :(

Want2bSupermum · 23/02/2017 16:48

This story is so very sad. I can only think the vodka was 90% not the usual 45%. Having 3 drinks with 90% with a generous pour would be enough to get you to those levels.

I lived in czech when I was 18 and I never drank vodka because you never knew what you were going to get. Local ladies would tell me that men would try to buy me a drink with the 90% stuff so they could basically rape you as you would be passed out drunk. To this day I don't drink vodka made in EE countries because I have a fear of drinking something much stronger than I realize and not all the places where vodka was made back then had a rigorous quality control process.

Personally I think it should be illegal to sell 90% vodka as a drink. It should be clearly labelled for other use and in a bottle that is unlike one you would find in a bar.

PacificDogwod · 23/02/2017 16:52

Very very sad story Sad

The article does not give enough information on cause of death IMO.
She could have died of exposure, for instance - drunk enough to pass out outside, a cold night etc, that can be enough.

I think 3 home measures of vodka can be enough to give that blood alcohol level, and alcohol would affect her more if she was not particularly used to drinking heavily.

booklooker · 23/02/2017 17:02

Personally I think it should be illegal to sell 90% vodka as a drink. It should be clearly labelled for other use and in a bottle that is unlike one you would find in a bar.

Have you ever seen this stuff for sale in a UK bar? I haven't.

AdoraBell · 23/02/2017 17:04

Did she have 3 properly measured drinks like you get in a pub? Many people who pour their own drinks are drinking a lot more alcohol than they realise.

I haven't read the article.

fuckingwall · 23/02/2017 17:08

I'm not sure what your point is in starting this thread op.

Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:11

I think my OP was rather clear as to the point.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:11

I think my OP was rather clear as to the point.

OP posts:
HeeHighls · 23/02/2017 17:14

I imagine this was binge drinking which is far more dangerous short term than coming home and sharing a bottle of red each night over a meal.

Then there's the fact that Vodka has no taste, or so I believe, so mix with something sweet such a lemonade or cola, half and half and it's a recipe for disaster. It's not like Rum, Whisky or Gin, where too much in the mix causes face grimace, so further diluted.

Also what good liquid already in the body counts to dilute the effect. Had she eaten Pizza earlier, and little liquid throughout the day would not have been as beneficial as lots of watery veg. and much water/ cups of tea.

It's a very sad case and a lesson for all to also drink water throughout a drinking session. One glass sipped for every alcoholic drink.

BakeOffBiscuits · 23/02/2017 17:15

I do agree with you OP.

I read this earlier and just thought "How sad, but there is no way that woman only drank 3 Vodkas"

Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:18

Why would they have to when you are happy to make up the facts for them? You know even less than the journalists do, clearly, yet you have still chosen to pass judgement and condemn the woman

I'm passing judgement on the REPORTING, not the poor woman, as explicitly stated. Neither am I making up any facts, only that the "facts" as reported do not make sense. It is not physically possible to get to that blood alcohol level with the 3 drinks, unless they are incredibly large ones.

The partner said that she was merry, not drunk, but at 380/100 you would likely be incapable of standing up straight, and incoherent, and quite likely incontient and insensitive to stimuli. It's a good bit past the point where you can die from alcohol toxicity.

OP posts:
Fighterofthenightman · 23/02/2017 17:26

I think the OP is coming from the pov that the reporting is along the lines of 'alcohol poisoning after only 3 vodkas' so most people would think of pub measures which in no way correlates with the blood alcohol volume regardless of gender, size or metabolism or usual alcohol consumption. The people I've seen with higher blood alcohol levels and not dying are chronic alcoholics and I've even seen some of them in intensive care and intubated with blood alcohol levels just a hundred or so mgs higher and they had definitely consumed 40 units plus that day.

If it was possible that 3 or even 10 units led to a blood alcohol level of 380mg we would be seeing thousands of people dying of alcohol poisoning every week which is not the case. We are a nation of problematic 'binge drinking'!.

HeeHighls · 23/02/2017 17:28

"don't journalists check the most obvious facts?"
No they don't. I could have forgiven that somewhat in the days of shorthand and a note book, but now it's all recorded electronically.

Not until you read a story where you do know the facts, as to home, age school etc., do you realise how sloppy or more likely, sensationalist journos are. "Never let facts get in the way of a good story."

Want2bSupermum · 23/02/2017 17:35

book I have seen it for sale in bars and you wouldn't know it's 90% unless you checked the bottle. Hard to do that when someone else is pouring your drink.

Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:38

book I have seen it for sale in bars and you wouldn't know it's 90% unless you checked the bottle. Hard to do that when someone else is pouring your drink

If its on sale in a bar you'd know it wasn't regular vodka as it would cost significantly more. I also reckon any bartender would warn you quite firmly, as they would be legally responsible for selling it to you and could get into trouble should you have a problem with it.

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 23/02/2017 17:39

used2bethin Flowers

Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:47

The DM has changed their article since I posted this, with more details.

OP posts:
shrunkenhead · 23/02/2017 17:48

There may be a lot more to the story but the family wouldn't want printed. This happens.

PacificDogwod · 23/02/2017 17:51

Tbh, I don't really understand how this is a 'story' and I do hate that these things get published.
It is a tragedy for the family and I wish to offer my condolences.

There may be any number of reasons why her blood alcohol level was that high, and why she died.
The reporting is ridiculous IMO.

Original poster
TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 23/02/2017 17:55

I agree it would be better if it was private, but since it is in the paper it would serve better as a reminder of the dangers of drinking, rather than a strange article implying you can die from 3 vodkas.

The amount consumed would have been more like 16 vodkas, not 3.

OP posts:
HeeHighls · 23/02/2017 17:57

shrunkenhead

There may be a lot more to the story but the family wouldn't want printed. This happens.

.
I'm uncomfortable with a lot that's printed which I consider private. How much your house actually sold for. Your Will is for public reading. What you died from. How you committed suicide and why?

I notice today that a renowned Judge has been described as "Dying by his own hand. "

No sordid details for him then.