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Comment by vezycash | Hacker News Reader

Or the study is studying something else: self control i.e. those who can take alcohol without becoming addicted.

Additionally, if we're to take the view that stressed mammals seek out mind altering substances, then this can be said to be a study of well-being.

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Alcoholism is a complicated disease, it heavily depends on a person's predispositions which are both genetic and psychological. A lot of times alcoholics don't even realize they're alcoholics, they can often maintain a job and relationships meanwhile abusing alcohol in order to deal with problems or in other ways. The disease can also be slow to progress, often people can hold things together in their life for years before things start imploding on them.

when you grow older alcohol switches from being pleasant to being perceived as a poisoning. Two beers and I feel ill, like something is wrong with me and I cannot drink more.

I have anecdata too: the most enthusiastic drinkers I know are in their 40s and 50s.

When you, in the specific sense, grow older, maybe, but not when you, in the generic sense, do.

I know plenty of older people for whom alcohol in general, and beer specifically, remain enjoyable.

I’m sure there is truth in that. I also find that life responsibilities may also account for some of that. At 21 I could have a few drinks at night and then just be sluggish the next day. Now between kids and career those downkey recovery days are a lot harder to absorb!

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