Beer in the morning?

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I've gone snowboarding/skiing with a younger coworker three times this winter. We meet up at the slopes early in the morning. Others come sometimes, today another young nurse from our unit came, we have a little clique that gets together for outdoor outings.

On all three snowboarding outings this gal had a beer before hitting the slopes, at 9 AM. Today it was a beer and also schnapps in one of those stainless steel small liquor containers. Then mid morning we stopped at the yurt on the slopes and both these gals had another beer. Then at lunch they had more beer.

Honestly, that seems totally excessive to have any alcohol before noon. They both pooped out at 2PM, I stayed till closing time at 4PM. They are both the same age as some of my grown children and I have much more stamina. I think this one gal must have a drinking problem. Do any non-alcoholics have beer or spirits at 9 AM? I told her that she was having an eye opener, just like on our CAGE screening, but she just made light of it. Other than that she's a great snowboarding buddy and coworker.

Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Does this person regularly work nightshift? 9a to her may be like the rest of the world's 9p.

That being said, BYOB snowboarding (with other drinks in addition) seems excessive to me. It also seems dangerous. People die skiing and snowboarding. Sonny Bono, anyone? I wouldn't drink while snowboarding anymore than I would while deer hunting. :stone

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Reminds me of a boss I had one time many years ago. He was part of a group that went on a ski trip and the gossip was going on all around about how he was plastered the whole time. He was in the Program and his boss was a total jerk who liked to yank his chain in front of everyone. Things went downhill for him and he was lucky to get transferred.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Well, you know what they say: "The sun's over the yardarm somewhere"........

I say, drinking at 9 in the morning indicates an issue. But it's not your job to fix your friend; and frankly, I'm more concerned about your safety than her ETOH problem. And as the mother-in-law of a snowboarder, I wouldn't want anyone I cared about to go boarding with someone who's half-smashed. Doing a sport that involves flying down a mountain at 50-60 MPH while intoxicated is just DUMB, and she's endangering everyone on the trail.

'Nuff said. You know what to do.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

. One thing is I won't meet them and carpool, I make sure that I'm driving. I worry more about her driving home down a steep mountain. As far as gossip, I'm not going to run to anyone and blab, although another nurse from work who originally invited me on the first ski outing has mentioned to me about the drinking too. No, this gal does not work nightshift.

I was wondering if non-alcoholics will ever drink beer in the morning. I noticed that she did it each time we went, which I thought was odd. She didn't seem impaired, I think she must have a tolerance, her snowboarding was fine. I don't understand why you'd need to drink to enjoy snowboarding, since it's a natural high.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Well, you know what they say: "The sun's over the yardarm somewhere"........

That's exactly what she said to me when I mentioned the beer in the morning. She's quite open about it.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As a non alcoholic I can say no I have no fancy to drink at that time of the morning. The only time I did was back when I was in the Territorial Army (bit like the reserve) and was tradition near Christmas we had a weekend of training with a meal served to us by officers and senior ranks and in the morning (6am) they would come round with tea/coffee and put in a drop of spirit.

To me does sound like there is a problem if not alcohol it is safety especially to others

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Specializes in Cardiac/Step-Down, MedSurg, LTC.

I'm not an alcoholic but I'm an 11-7'er and I've been known to enjoy the occasional 6 pack in a morning once in awhile. When I have days off, I definitely like to relax and have a beer. It's not often that I drink that early when I'm off, but if you're planning to have a fun day I don't see the harm in drinking if you're safe about it.

I don't, however, condone drinking too much while skiing/snowboarding. A beer or two at lunch is one thing. Were they trashed, or just happily skiing along? Some people's tolerances are obviously higher than others. Just a thought :)

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Ahh! Just snapped open and took my first sip of my morning coke. Now that's what I'm talking about in the morning!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Step-Down, MedSurg, LTC.

Oh boy, I would love one. I can't drink Coke on nights (makes my mouth feel thick) but mmmm that would be good now.

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I'm not an alcoholic but I'm an 11-7'er and I've been known to enjoy the occasional 6 pack in a morning once in awhile. When I have days off, I definitely like to relax and have a beer. It's not often that I drink that early when I'm off, but if you're planning to have a fun day I don't see the harm in drinking if you're safe about it.

I don't, however, condone drinking too much while skiing/snowboarding. A beer or two at lunch is one thing. Were they trashed, or just happily skiing along? Some people's tolerances are obviously higher than others. Just a thought :)

You drink a whole 6 pack? :coollook:

I've had a Bloody Mary in the morning once or twice at my former in-laws' home - but I'd fall asleep if I drank before skiing.

There is always a bar in the lodge - and I see people drink in there first thing in the morning.

I do not think it is safe to snowboard or ski while drinking alcohol.

steph

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Specializes in Cardiac/Step-Down, MedSurg, LTC.

Not usually. A 6 pack usually will last me 2-3 mornings.

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