Expat Alcoholism is not unusual in Thailand, nightlife, partying, enjoying yourself, and for the many who arrived via the haze of the booze and nightlife, the party and drinking often continues and some develop issues with addiction. It’s not easy to speak up or admit to friends or loved ones that it’s become out of control and many don’t like to admit it to themselves, it’s a daunting prospect.
Bangkok’s lifestyle can chew you up and spit you out and it’s not easy to keep a lid on how much drink you’re consuming to wind down. For the ones who can live with it and function, there are always dozens of those who cannot. This video also offers a few suggested solutions to kicking this habit, thanks to the very kind contributors via social media.
Alcoholics Anonymous Thailand: https://www.aathailand.org/
Narcotics Anonymous Thailand: https://na-thailand.org/
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I must apologise for not mentioning AA for those who need assistance.
Alcoholics Anonymous Thailand: https://www.aathailand.org/
Narcotics Anonymous Thailand: https://na-thailand.org/
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
I drink 2 glasses of old whisky each Saturday evening or to celebrate exceptional events and I can be tempted from time to time by a glass or two of high quality wine or brandy and of course the occasional 🍺
As a young dude I did smoke grass from time to time but never actually catched to soft drugs I had no stash at home.It was more like a socializing ritual among young folks back then in the 70's-80
Booze will boost your ego and that is the end of life. Nice vlog Pat. I am a total teetotaler since birth, so no worries.
How I did it (1+ year ago): 1. Just stop drinking, and avoid your drinking buddies. 2. Watch videos on Youtube about how alcohol is bad for you. "Sober Leon" is a guy I watched for example. Keeps your motivation going until you are clean. 3. With all the extra time and money you now have on your hands you need to do something about it. Time – do exercise. Money – invest them, but not in f***ing crypto, but "real" stocks. If you don't know what real stocks is, invest them in an index fund.
It’s a cautionary tale and a downward spiral for a lot of guys. If you go to cheaper locations like Chiang Mai, you see “those guys” who have been on a downward trajectory for a long time. Booze plays a big part, but I think it’s a combination of the nightlife, girls, failed businesses a lack of money and not having any other interests outside of drinking and partying.
Like your videos man well worth watching, just on the aids to helping the withdrawals how about weed, just been legalised, and very effective at calming the mind and body.
Will you do a piece on the weed scene I think you'd do a good job of it.
Did you stand outside the grace hotel for a reason
Thanks for this Pat. I am 10 years sober. AA and counselling helped me. I went traveling 25 years ago, recently with time on my hands have been researching Thailand again. I am drawn by the women food weather etc. It has crossed my mind a few times however is this just alcoholism coming knocking again? AA taught me this bastard of a disease will wait and wait for you and reintroduce itself out of leftfield. Thanks for everyone's input goes without saying this is important 👍
I havent drank alcohol for many years thanks to cannabis and am in the best of mental and physical health
How do these old guys party so hard? I haven't stayed up all night on booze in a very long time… A couple beers and I'm ready for bed, 555.
good video Pat
Getting off cocaine? Are you out of your mind🤣🤣🤣
That’s a great article Pat. I’ve never lived in Thailand but I have travelled quite a bit in a previous job. Similar traps could be found in Shanghai, KL, Hong Kong etc etc. Mental health is crucial to anyones well-being whether at work or play. Keep up the the great work & love your content.
I especially appreciate the truth bombs regarding how, when one first experiences Bangkok, they think they have arrived in a hedonist paradise. Sure, it's amazing good fun. It's the main attraction and the people running the bars know it. Farang are the commodity. With enough time, hopefully you see behind the curtain and realize the sustainability of it all.
I was drinking too much in Mexico, at least for me anyway. When I first came to Pattaya I didn't feel a need to drink. But, I later moved closer to the action with all the bars, massage parlors and noise. The need for a beer returned, and I was back to my Mexico consumption level. I just moved to a new place away from all that, now I don't feel the need anymore. At least for me it seems to be the vibration of a place. If you have bars filled with sullen old drunks, it has to be giving off a negative vibe.
I have never been an alcoholic myself, only a so called social drinker. Nowadays I don't even do that anymore as this knowledge of what alcohol does to the liver and brain becomes more and more available. I wish the best luck to everyone who is trying to quit. You can do it! Many people before you have been successful!
I was just in Khon Kaen last week and drinking is all the expats do there. If they aren't a bar owner drinking, they are hanging out with other bar owners and are drinking with them. That type of life has to get old eventually.
Very informative and to the point. To live a life of drinking, smoking, poor diet is a dead end. One has to decide for oneself and do whatever day by day. Nobody is going to do it for you. Sometimes it’s 15 minutes at a time. Companies that produce tobacco products, alcohol, junk food should be held liable. But sadly it’s all about corporate profits.
I know exactly what you’re saying…….my tip is don’t live near a bar area, too much temptation…..I’ve been over 85 times in 18 years!
I miss Soi Zero. When I first arrived here that was a great place to get a beer, shoot pool, and chat with friendly Thai people for an afternoon into the early evening. I take umbrage with you comment suggesting that teaching is a desperate man's path. I have met, taught and formed friendships with Admirals, CEOs , Government officials, Attaches, university students and small and large business owners. All of which can lead to another door opening. I don't believe in luck. I make my own luck.
Thanks for this video Pat. You are doing a great public service and you may be even saving a few lives. The most important suggestion I can offer someone suffering from any addiction is the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcohol addiction was beginning to destroy me earlier this year. I was very depressed and suicidal. Six months ago I successfully stopped drinking and joined AA. Soon after joining in April I found a sponsor and began working The Steps. I discovered that what was missing in my life was Spirituality: A relationship with God. AA has helped me find that. AA literally helped me find a way out of Hell. I’m sure AA meetings exist in Thailand. In addition, there are always online meetings. Thanks again Pat!
Hi Pat, I saw Gavin and Raph and Ben P last weekend for a catch up. They mentioned your channel. You have great content! So have a coffee and keep up the good work😊
I suggest going to AA meetings and also born again Christian church I hear stories all the time of people being set free from Drink and drug addiction I’ve no addiction but I talk with people who has been heavily addicted but they have been completely set free
Alcohol or hair dye.its all the same
It’s rampant in England & Australia too. It’s their culture. Go to the Pub.
It’s not Thailand, it’s the culture they come from.
I lived in Sweden & Denmark many years ago. In Sweden they line up at the government liquor store on Friday.
Like they’re never gonna have enough alcohol to last until Monday. Lol.
The best advice I got when I first moved here was from a long time expat who told me to not act like a tourist anymore. And as I've seen since then too many guys move over who are naive due to lack of experience with this sort of place and perhaps also lacking in experience with women and they're vulnerable to the excesses of Thailand. Because, regardless of age, it can be the best times of your life or end up being soul crushing. Engage in quality activities like staying active with working out or leaning the language and it can be amazing. Spend it in the bars everyday and the outcome will be very different.
Very interesting video, when I went to Thailand I've noticed many of these guys going crazy especially in Pattaya, unfortunately if you can't control yourself you shouldn't visit or live in certain places..
I prefer coffee and cigarettes now
Go to GOGO bar and drink fanta or sprite instead beer.
I never drink in a foreign country, my life has got better when i made this rule
For anyone that gives it the moral big one saying they won't drink in Thailand or go to girlie bars, let me tell you it's very difficult if your a normal red blooded male! Especially in hua hin where I am now so much temptations and they building hundreds of bars with attractive women. Add some local cheap rum which goes down like water and its difficult to maintain a harmonious relationship with Yr wife /gf in such an environment.I think of it like watching porn. It's something many people do but it's not reality. This is the problem with these bars. It's like Disney land. Women that often look larger than life, know how to seduce men with efficiency. Easy to see how men can fall in love with them. Then at home you got the reality of gf /wife with problems daily and moods.
looks a great place and i must admit my first instinct would be to check out the nightlife ,the trouble is drinking is only fun while you,re doing it and it does affect your none drinking life in a negative way
I know of 2 guys that Die from booze every year in Thailand 🇹🇭
BE CAREFUL !!! Thailand Can Bring You Into The Twilight Zone !!!
Lets be honest whether they are in Thailand or back home these individuals would be alcoholics.
I'm an Alcoholic,a sober alcoholic, I have been sober for 27 years
, I was a fall down drunk ! there is help as Pat mentioned if you want to get sober it is possible one day at a time admitting that you have a problem that you can't control is the first step.
If I take one drink it takes over my life I have no control over the next and next.
Getting sober and staying sober was the hardest but most rewarding and fulfilling time in my life.
Very sad
The main "solution" is that you REALLY WANT TO QUIT DRINKING; it's like getting in shape and losing weight – you have to really WANT it to (hopefully) find the discipline, desire and
genuine commitment to achieve the goal. Of course, if you are a long term heavy drinker, who has already fallen victim to enough of the number of (bad) physical and mental effects
(from drinking), then your chances of "getting off the sauce" are greatly decreased.
It is a shame that Thailand represents a nation of losers, local and foreign losers trap in Thailand. When the rats are trapped in it death is near. Thai poverty society is victim of corrupt Thai politicians and mafia, and foreigners trap in sex, drugs, and alcohol. BKK is hell, not paradise.