Why does society look down more on compulsive drinkers than compulsive eaters when the root cause is similar?

Question

Often the root cause is the same...to gain relief or comfort from mental pain/anguish/hurt.

Please don't equate compulsive drinkers to mean rampaging lager louts or pi** artists..who are indeed just that..ie pi** artists. I am talking about drinkers who are suffering & need relief & dont harm anyone else, but are still looked down on.

Silver Fox ..what a total twit you are!..I am not talking about me..but someone who is close to me & I feel their pain. Does being a total idiot come naturally to you or do you have to work at it?

Answer 1

Some people start drinking for no better reason than some people start smoking & then become addicted. Other people turn to drink as a source of help when some sadness etc has hit them. I know that one could say that is no excuse, we could all turn to drink when things go wrong but we don't. That is true but many people turn to something even if it isn't drink, but are looked upon with more sympathy.
Unfortunately all drinkers whatever the reason for them doing it are usually looked upon in the same way. Why?..because most people are very "surface-minded" with very little insight.
The response from Silver Fox is a classic example. I suppose this is why you asked the question.

Answer 2

Well both behaviours are addition behaviours. I don't think society looks and more kindly at one than at the other. I do think though that an alcoholics behaviour (addiction) affects people who are very close to the them, it causes many problems for many people, not just the drinker themselves. Whereas overweight people who are addicted to food only really affect themselves, they are not really an immediate danger to others. To be truth full, i don't think many people recognise some overweight people as having an eating disorder ( they don't see it as an addiction ) and of course not all overweight people have an addiction to food, for some there are medical reasons as to why they are large. Also, once an alcoholic has dried out and detoxed, they have to avoid alcohol to remain sober, the same way a smoker has to avoid cigarettes. An addictive over eater does not have that luxury as food is a substance we all need.

Answer 3

Most likely it is because the compulsive eater carries the weight ,but the drinker tries to give everyone, and any one their emotional weight, and that lasts longer and tends to do more harm to more than the one..

Answer 4

Yes society looks down more on compulsive drinkers because of their ill fate to drive and kill others. If you are a compulsive eater you are hurting yourself and not out killing others.

Answer 5

I think it is the other way round.
You can see that someone over eats. You can not see if someone drinks too much unless they are always in the pub. Both sets of people Have self awareness issues and that is a different ball game.
Drinkers who drive whilst drunk are a deadley wepon. eaters who drive, walk or whatever are only causing self harm!

Answer 6

Because compulsive eaters don't tend to commit crime when they are full, but compulsive drinkers often do when they are drunk. Compulsive eaters don't tend to start fights when they leave a restaurant when they're full but compulsive drinkers often do, compulsive eaters aren't a danger to themselves and others when they drive when they are full, but compulsive drinkers do when they drive drunk. Compulsive eaters dont tend to destroy property when they are full, compulsive drinkers often do when drunk. Compulsive eaters dont tend to beat the living daylights out of their partner or children when they are full, but compulsive drinkers often do. That may have something to do with it.

Answer 7

I suppose compulsive drinkers have more of a bad rep. Linked to bad behaviour, drink driving etc. Bad eater are usually at home getting fat!

Answer 8

Yep and that i nonetheless have it so i guess my suggestion stinks, yet i have examine up on it somewhat. Sorry i do not understand the precise links. you're meant to do no longer something else even as you're eating, no longer observing television, studying, or doing stuff on the computer. so that you'll consenrate completely on what you're eating. Chewing slowly and being quite hungry, no longer merely needing it to quit boredem, or for the flavor. the ingredient that permits me the most is having something to do in view that I frequently eat when I lose interest. xD

Answer 9

By compulsive drinking, do you mean drinking alcohol?
It's not nice to look down on anyone, but maybe it is because we HAVE to eat and do not have to drink alcohol. Part of the reason dieting is difficult is because being hungry feels really bad.

Answer 10

People look down of both...and to tell the truth compulsive drinking does sound more vulgar, though both are mental problems and need to be taken care of...see a therapist.