One thing is true of every beer commercial you have ever seen.

     It's a lie!

     Drinkability -- Bull Spit!

     It's more like Throwupability.

     Or how about "Alcoholism."

      At about 10 years old, my daughter tasted beer for the first time. A neighbor's son gave her and his niece a taste. Her response:

      YUCK!

      Yuckability? 

      And I suspect she spit it out! At least I hope she did.

       The neighbor's son, a college student, had to drop out to seek help for alcoholism at a local mental institution. He was a good kid who had been snookered in by the beer commercials. Almost 30 years later, he still has to fight the addiction.

       So, what does every child need to learn about beer that they will never learn from beer commercials?

       In addition to .. YUCK! 

       1. Beer is a dangerous addictive drug that can ruin your life. Hopefully, every beer commercial you ever see will remind you of this forever truth.

      2. Alcoholism includes an increased tolerance for beer and other addictive beverages and substances, a craving for them, and a physical dependence on them.

     3. Alcoholism is a disease because it follows a predictable course, it is chronic and has symptoms. A person's risk for the disease is influenced both by genes and by lifestyle. Children of alcoholics are not destined to be alcoholics. Some people become alcoholics with no family history.

     4. Alcoholism cannot be cured. But it can be treated with counseling and medicines to help a person stop drinking and rebuild their lives.  

     5. Symptoms of alcohol abuse include: a failure to fulfill normal responsibilities, drinking legal problems, including drunk-driving arrests, yet with the ability to stop drinking. A person can abuse alcohol and suffer bad consequences yet still not be an alcoholic. They may drink too much too often but still not be dependent. Yet.

     6. If you think you are dinking too much, if others agree, if you feel guilty about drinking, and if you have a drink early in the morning to get rid of a hangover, you have an alcohol problem.

     7. In treatment programs, some people can stop drinking and remain sober. Meds can help reduce a craving for alcohol and may help you avoid a relapse.

     8. A person can get help with a drinking problem from his or her doctor, from a mental health professional. and from Alcoholics Anonymous.

     An alcohol problem can only get worse unless you do something. And the sooner the better.