Seems like I’m seeing it more and more. Maybe it’s just that people I know are getting older and things are catching up to them. I don’t know what the numbers are but it’s got to be a lot of folks every year.

What kind of crowd do you hang around?

I haven't noticed it, but again back in mid 30's I decided to not be friends with drunks, druggies, people with financial issues, etc, made my life a lot easier.

I only hang around people who have their act and life together, got no time for people with personal issues

I know of several in my area, they were all middle age, and all men.
I can’t understand it but it happens.

I had a friend die at 46 from drinking. Left 3 kids and a wife behind.

I have know several over they years. One was my brother-in-law, the only time he was sober was when he went to work. His friends got his house ready to sell for his adopted daughter, they had an aluminum recycling place bring out a trailer to take all of the beer cans from the garage. Two car type and it was full to the roof and almost completely filled the trailer.

A neighbor ruined his liver with alcohol and when they found it was bad, he lasted less than 2 weeks. He left behind a wife and junior high daughter.
Both of these people were drunks all the way back to high school.

Alcohol and drugs and ruined a lot of good men.

There`s not a person alive that doesn`t have personal issues. You`re kidding yourself if you actually believe that. Everyone has problems of some kind.

100% Agree. "Everybody seems normal...until you get to know them." Similar to the "I don't allow drama on our lease." Big talk.

At one time in my life I lived with a beer can in my hand. I drank beer every day and night. I had blisters start coming out on my hands. I found out my liver was acting up. I quit drinking beer. I later found out it was vitamin D causing my problem. I never drank any more regular beer. I started drinking 0% beer. I did this for about 6 months and one day it hit me. Now I'm spending time and money drinking 0% and I don't need it. I quit alcohol completely. I really didn't realize how much time and money I spent drinking. I'm 73 yrs old now. This all happen about 20 years ago. After I quit I became a better Husband and Dad. In those 20 years I've drank maybe a 12 pack. I'll have a beer with my boys sometimes. Just one beer. I don't want anymore. I really feel that those blisters was God's way of telling me I needed to get my life straight. It's hard to look at yourself and say "What am I doing". I'm really glad I looked in the mirror.

Saw it happen to a very good friend. Worked all his life but could never settle into retirement.

It is a mental addiction that turns into a mental AND physical addiction.

And yes, it can ruin some good people.

My grandpa died of sorosis in the late 70's, one of my uncle's also in early 2000s. Both high achieving self employed guys, a joy to be around. I wouldn't say it's a new problem

IDK, seems like I see it less these days

More weed usage, overall less drinking

This! The older I get, the more I realize everyone has a wound, a scar, a 'ding' of some sort. It can be physical or mental. Some live well in spite of it, some let it control them, some let it kill them.

My friends and I go back 35-40 years. We all live in different parts of the country now, but we get together every couple of months. If I need help, one or more will get here fast. Yes, it would be "easier" but we do not abandon each other when problems arise.

A good friend will bail you out of jail. Best friends will be in there with you.

Marc

and maybe, just maybe, you could be the one to help that person make it through their pain or trouble.

Yep.

Had a good friend (drinking buddy) die in the hospital from internal organ failure just before Christmas many years ago. He had been spitting up blood for a while. Sad thing was that he had poured all his booze down the drain just a couple days prior. Wrecked his car in the hospital ER parking lot. Never regained consciousness.

It happens. Almost happened to me. May 2nd was 7 years without a drop.

You have to be stronger than the addiction...period. Same with people that smoke...that cigarette is stronger than you.

Yep, took my throat cancer to finally convince me. I'll have maybe 1-2 drinks a year now.

I lost a cousin to it in his mid 40's. He had issues with it his entire life and they found him dead one day in his apartment. I quit drinking when I was 25. Had I not quit, I probably would be in the ground right beside him.

Without exception, just as the moon, everyone has a never seen dark side.

Former coworker for me same age left 2 daughters and wife.

I think of it as suicide on the long term plan.

Alcohol makes the pain go away for awhile.