Off licences are allowed to remain open during stricter lockdown

[reliefistheword]

Off licences are allowed to remain open during stricter lockdown because responsible drinkers were entitled to have a drink

This has been deemed essential.

Ridiculous.

I think there should be a curfew of say all shops closed by 8pm, regardless of whether or not they sell alcohol.

I don't think alcohol is essential, but would be concerned if the larger supermarkets were the only places selling it to survive.

@Nousernameforme

I think you've misunderstood the only buying essentials thing. It's to stop people panic buying, not policing what they can and can't buy? Please do give us some more of your pearls of wisdom on what's essential and what's not essential. I'm dying to hear.

The buying essentials thing is not to stop people panic buying, it's to limit the amount of people outside of their homes and in shops!

@CantstopsayingFFS alcohol withdrawal for a heavy drinker can cause all sorts of minor side effects like tremors, sweats, headaches etc but can lead to rapid heart rates and seizures which can be fatal. An alcoholic needs to be slowly weaned off alcohol and into a regulated detox programme. As far as abusive partners go, males and females will be violent if they want to be - drunk or not. I'm not denying that adding alcohol will fuel their rage but taking it away if they are dependant will have the same outcome.

@sixthtimelucky

Right, so what is essential, and what isn't essential?

Why the aggression? I was just pointing out what it was about, it's not to stop panic buying.

As pp said, let’s knock out the tax the govt takes in from alcohol, let’s increase the amount of people who then won’t work (in this country there is Beer large and small producers, wine, gin, whisky) all of whom are repurposing their equipment to include production of sanitiser. For raw material costs. Take away their ability to sell to the public and I fully suspect there will be some regrets.

Blame the abusers not the alcohol, my dh could get plastered to forget his current worries and responsibilities and still wouldn’t lift a finger to any of our household. Including the cat he hates.

I’m all in favour of keeping them open, let’s try and keep some of the economy going.

The local off-license is by far the closest place where I can get money on my electricity meter.

Whats the point of them staying open if people aren't supposed to be going to them

Because they often sell food, milk, baby products and pet food. They also often serve as a post office and place for people to top up their gas and electric meters.

Alcohol withdrawal can kill, heroin withdrawal is just very very unpleasant.

I'm getting the decided impression that OP actually doesn't give a shit about alcoholics. Are they so awful they deserve to die?

I'm getting the decided impression that OP actually doesn't give a shit about alcoholics. Are they so awful they deserve to die?

OP won't be back.

She started another provocative thread which got deleted for being a PBP.

Thanks Worra

CantstopsayingFFS:
www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/can-you-die-from-alcohol-withdrawal

There's an estimated more than half a million alcohol dependent drinkers in the UK. In 2018 fewer than 10,000 died from alcohol related illness and usually older, chronic drinkers dying of cancer etc rather than acute alcohol withdrawal or alcohol related accidents etc.

In 2018 over 170, 000 prescriptions issued in primary care or hospitals for alcohol dependence. Most medications to help establish and maintain abstinence rather than manage acute withdrawal but still, a huge number of people which we don't want suddenly needing medical treatment from the NHS. And they're the ones that got treatment by asking for it or were ill and admitted to hospital which led to it. Most are usually not seeking treatment or so physically ill it is offered through their hospital admission; but they would now be forced to seek treatment if access to alcohol was suddenly removed.

And yes, it would dwarf the number of women requiring medical treatment from the NHS and no, not all alcoholics are domestic abusers.

Not ridiculous at all.

For people who are alcohol dependant, going "cold turkey" is extremely dangerous and would put an enormous strain on the NHS, not what we need right now. It can result in organ failure, convulsions, fevers and breakdowns.

Bet you're all pleased with yourselves that it isn't you but alcoholism is an illness, not a weakness, and we should not judge others or their lives.

It will help alleviate the ridiculous strain on the supermarkets if people can pick up a few items from smaller shops, including off licences. If you don’t agree with them being open then don’t shop there.

Also you're either very naive or have lived a life of privilege if you think violent people will be less violent without alcohol

It's not that i don't agree with them being open it's just it feels like they are being thrown under the bus a bit.
So they are allowed to open therefore they won't qualify for the furlough help but they will have a massive drop in the footfall whilst still having overheads.

Also it's not about the items being bought as such but if you are stopped by police who want to know if your trip is essential. I don't think going to the offy will come under the allowed outings.

For people who are alcohol dependant, going "cold turkey" is extremely dangerous and would put an enormous strain on the NHS, not what we need right now. It can result in organ failure, convulsions, fevers and breakdowns

I'm sorry but I don't recognise the picture your painting at all. I've had a number of alcoholic relatives, all went cold turkey at various time without major symptoms. This isn't to say it was easy for them. I also used to work in a homeless shelter with AA meetings on site, again, most just went cold turkey. I only knew of one person this wasn't recommend for and was told it was be dangerous to just stop. He was a man in his 60s with multiple other health conditions and had been a homeless alcoholic for 40 years.

I certainly don't believe that if the sale of alcohol was suddenly stopped in London 9% of the population would need hospital treatment.

Are they having a massive drop in football? I thought most places selling things people can eat and drink at home were busier than usual? I've definitely used ours more than I usually would, as I never buy from it at all generally but did my milk and bread top up there this week as I preferred it to braving a supermarket.

KenDodd: you need to do a bit more research. Or at least RTFT.

I for one am certainly concerned about the impact of illegal drug users no longer being able to service their addictions.
I'm still ordering mine online and getting it delivered, as usual :)

More people enjoy alcohol than just abusive men. I’ve got some wine in the fridge myself which is nice after my key worker job and home teaching my children! My local store as essentials along with alcohol anyway.

I'm sorry but I don't recognise the picture your painting at all. I've had a number of alcoholic relatives, all went cold turkey at various time without major symptoms. This isn't to say it was easy for them. I also used to work in a homeless shelter with AA meetings on site, again, most just went cold turkey. I only knew of one person this wasn't recommend for and was told it was be dangerous to just stop. He was a man in his 60s with multiple other health conditions and had been a homeless alcoholic for 40 years.

Why would the existence of people who are alcoholics who can stop without danger mean there aren't alcoholics who can't?

It's not like the two are even discrete groups: my own alcoholic relative went cold turkey without having fits a number of times, until one day they did fit. For all I know they could be one of the people you're talking about who were able to stop without detriment. There are lots of substance abuse workers and the like who met my relative before that point, after all. And yet they most certainly fall into the fitting risk category now.

Nouse our local shops have seen a large increase in business, not reduced footfall.

My dad is using his local shop as there's less people to get there and in there.
They often have stuff that the supermarkets have sold out of.
In a lot of places now that people aren't supposed to use public transport they will be the main shop.