I took a beer break this week, no blogging, no drinking, just shut it off.

It wasn’t a planned thing; I didn’t really have any reason other than I just didn’t feel like drinking. I’m happy that I have the ability to do that, just shut it off; I worry sometimes that in an attempt to promote the drink that I love that I’m also painting a positive picture of a more destructive lifestyle.

To be clear this is a beer blog, it’s not my job, I don’t drink all day and write about it, I have a full time job, a wife and two kids and as much as beer is part of my life it’s not the driver. Beer is something I enjoy, the business, the process, the product and I enjoy sharing my thoughts on these things which is why I do this blog.

The reason I decided to write this post is not because I want to brag about a week off of beer, I don’t think any of you really care about that, I’m writing because of the concern I have for the image that I or any of my fellow beer bloggers/writers may portray. On Wednesday I took a peek at my blog analytics, just curious to see how a quiet week looked and the list of popular search engine terms caught my attention, someone found my blog using the search term “I’m not an alcoholic because I drink craft beer”.

“I’m not an alcoholic BECAUSE I drink craft beer”

Because?

Now I understand why this search term hit my page, my tagline, “I’m not an alcoholic I just still believe it’s safer to drink beer than water”. I hope my readers see that and just chuckle, that came from my twitter profile where it was meant to be a humorous nod towards the history of beer, when it was safer to drink beer than water. I don’t exclusively drink beer.

“I’m not an alcoholic because I drink craft beer”, I read it a few times and every time it just sounded darker and darker to me. Is this a mask for a bigger problem? A form of denial or justification for a habit that’s gotten out of hand? Or is it like my tagline just a joke? It’s probably printed on a t-shirt somewhere but that doesn’t make it ok.

I love craft beer and in saying that you have to read I love alcohol, but I don’t want to promote or glamorize alcohol abuse. It’s a problem, a problem that has very negative effects on people, their families and careers.

I feel the responsible thing for me to do is provide help links and phone numbers for those who may need them. I have added these links to a page on my blog as well so they are available if needed.

For general info:

http://www.aa.org

For pragmatic advice/articles and opportunity to seek expert opinions/answers to questions for free:

www.choosehelp.com

Alcohol/Drug Abuse Hotline:

1-800-662-HELP

Al-Anon/Alateen Hotline

Hope & Help for young people who are the relatives & friends of a problem drinker.

1-800-344-2666

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters

1-800-356-9996 for support for those whose loved ones have substance abuse problems/addiction

If you feel like you or someone close to you is in trouble, reach out, ask the question.

To my fellow beer bloggers, I challenge you to do the same, provide information for substance abuse on your blog, do a post, add a page, whatever you feel is right but promote safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, and don’t forget to take a break every once in a while, habits are easier made than broken.

Chaddah

Special Thanks to Jim LaPierre of the blog, Recovery Rocks, for supplying me the Links and Phone numbers above.

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