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Just thought some of you might be interested in the article. It pertains to a study to find the drunkest cities in the US. I find it interesting that they found them to be mostly located in the northeast or mid atlantic states (colder climate states) and that they appear to be cities which would mainly be considered blue collar industrial areas. I wonder how those attributes tie in to higher problem drinking and alcoholism rates.
Personally, not surprised to find Providence RI on list. That is where A is from and I haven't met anyone there that didn't have a drinking problem (of course they were all his family and friends).
Egads, no surprise I am surrouned by #1 #2 and #6 all within easy driving distance. If I remember correctly this is the first year in quite a while the University in my city is not #1 on the biggest party school list. It seems to be a way of life around here.
As a matter of interest, look up the drinking statistics in Great Britain. Totally out of control, and now the British government has passed a law allowing pubs, bars, drinking establishments to remain open 24-7. My A is British. Seems to me he didn't have much of a chance to be anything else!!! Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
This doesn't surprise me, I recently read that the more unhappy you are the more you are inclined to drink, smoke, or take up other unhealhty habits.
In the Northeast part of the country it is just a more stressful lifestyle in the "rat race" culture. So many large polluted cities and ghettos, poverty and crime. It is a lot harder to just find a shack or build on and try to live off the land out here if you are poor like you can in the south. If you are poor you have to live usually in a hole in the wall in some ghetto.
I am from highly industrialized NE Ohio and I lived in WV for a few years. WOW, it was like going back in time! The people seemed a lot happier, had more time for each other and to foster relationships. I have never had such loving supportive friends as I had in WV (ironically NONE of my freinds were native of WV, they were all transplants like I was).
Here in NE Ohio there are some areas of natural beauty but they are few and far between, most of the area is populated by dirty, stinky factories.
Out west and south there is a lot more clean air and fresh open spaces and nature, which has been proven to counteract depressive feelings.
Of course there is alcoholism EVERYWHERE but I do see why it would be concentrated in some areas of the country.
