Responsible Drinking: It's Up To You
Throughout history, millions of people have regarded beer as one of life's simple pleasures. We have celebrated and socialized over a beer. We've toasted our successes, shared our losses and counted our blessings over a beer.
For most Americans, drinking beer is a positive social experience. The majority of people who enjoy alcohol beverages in moderation believes beer can add to the fun, but cannot make it. For a small minority of Americans, however, this is not the case. Unable or unwilling to drink responsibly, they become alcoholics or alcohol abusers.
At Miller Brewing Company, we are very concerned about the abuse of our products. We are actively working to help reduce this nationwide problem, and we need your help. Miller can and will responsibly promote our products as adult beverages. We can and will continue our efforts to help train responsible servers. Miller can and will continue to encourage responsible drinking. But drinking responsibly ... well, that's up to each and every one of us.
This Consumer Guide was developed to help us all know when and how to drink beer most responsibly It also explains the important differences between beer and illicit substances and prepares us to talk with our children about beer.
The material was developed by respected psychologists and family counselors, substance abuse experts and law enforcement officials, and has been reviewed by Augustus Hewlett President, Alcohol Policy Council; Walter Pidgeon, President American Council on Alcoholism; and David Rohlfing, Executive Director, Milwaukee Council on Alcoholism.
Once you have a clear understanding of the information in this guide, we hope you will share it with your family members, friends and neighbors. Miller Brewing Company believes education and awareness are the best ways to encourage responsible drinking.
We hope you will join us by becoming part of the solution. Help us spread the word. Responsible Drinking: It’s Up to You.
What are the reasons people like to drink beer?
As we all know, some positive times for drinking are when we:
Take a minute to think about your favorite times to drink beer, and with whom you most enjoy drinking. Considering these times will help you consciously plan for responsible beer drinking in the future.
And the wrong reasons to drink?
Thinking about drinking may also help you realize there are some wrong reasons to drink beer.
Beer should not be consumed to escape from personal problems, or to block out painful feelings such as fear, loneliness and self-doubt.
When we are tired or angry, feeling blue, or under stress, we should deal with our mood in another way. Get some exercise, treat yourself to a movie, hit a few golf balls. Or talk to someone close to you, or to a trained counselor.
What are beer’s effects?
The first step toward drinking more responsibly is understanding what kinds of effects beer has. It:
What's the most responsible way to enjoy drinking?
A few basic principles go a long way:
What's the most responsible way to host a party?
All the principles of responsible drinking apply when you are in the role of host. When you entertain guests, serve beer responsibly. Here are some guidelines to being a good host:
Is it possible to safely drink and drive?
As a general rule, you can very safely drink one beer an hour and have no problem driving, because the body will burn off the alcohol at that pace. It is up to each of us to know our own limits and tolerance levels and not drink and drive past those points.
How much is too much beer for driving?
Tolerance levels differ from person to person, so the saying "better safe than sorry" applies here. With so many Designated Driver and Safe Ride Home programs around, there is no reason for anyone who has exceeded his or her personal limit to be behind the wheel. All states have set legal limits on blood alcohol content; know the law in your state.
What's the rationale for designating a driver?
Designated drivers are now household words, and it's acceptable to be one. Stricter drunk driving laws nationwide are some reasons why you should; another Is just plain safety.
Miller Brewing Company and its distributors sponsor designated driver programs with many organizations, For example, during the first year of the Milwaukee Brewer’s designated driver program, which Miller helped Sponsor, more than 28,000 baseball fans signed up to be designated drivers.
How do I set up a designated driver system?
Here are some tips on how to best use the designated driver system:
How do I stop someone from driving drunk?
Unfortunately, sometimes the role of "responsible drinker" means you are the one who will have to handle people who have not been so responsible. Seeing a person who has been drinking past his or her personal limit get behind the wheel of a car tells you immediately that this person is no longer thinking clearly about safety - for anyone.
What to do:
Understanding Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
What is alcoholism?
The American Council on Alcoholism tells us "alcoholism is a disease, not a disgrace." It is considered a treatable illness that can affect men and women from any walk of life, from any part of town, and from any social or economic level.
Alcoholism differs from responsible social drinking in two key ways:
What makes an alcoholic?
Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous teach that the cause of alcoholism is "the person, not the product." What that means is that alcoholism is not caused by the alcohol, but by a combination of factors in the alcoholic person. There are two factors that can contribute to someone becoming alcoholic:
How does social abuse differ from alcoholism?
The main differences between an alcoholic and a social abuser Of alcohol is that the alcoholic person is dependent on alcohol, and loses control when drinking. A social abuser has control over his or her drinking, but still chooses to drink excessively and irresponsibly.
Social abuse of alcohol often occurs with people who have recently started drinking, but have not accepted the responsibility that comes with consuming alcohol beverages - a young, inexperienced drinker who drinks heavily on the weekends, for example. It may also occur when a responsible drinker comes across a problem in life and tries to use alcohol as a way of avoiding the situation.
Because drinking irresponsibly can have severe consequences, we need to help social abusers stop and think about the possible result of their actions, and to become more responsible. Or, as we at Miller advise people, "Think When You Drink!" It's also important to understand that social abuse of alcohol can eventually lead to alcoholism.
Separating Beer from Illicit Substances
Is beer a drug?
Technically, yes, because a "drug" is anything that can change the way our mind or body works. Because alcohol has these kinds of effects and beer contains alcohol it is considered a legal drug, even though most people think of it as a beverage.
How does beer differ from illicit drugs?
There are major differences between beer and illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin or angel dust. The main difference is: you can legally and safely consume a can of beer and not change the way your mind or body works. You cannot say that about cocaine or angel dust Illicit drugs are illegal and dangerous.
The three important ways that beer a legal product differs from illicit drugs are:
Beer generally is enjoyed with meals or consumed socially to add to the fun at family or neighborhood get-togethers, parties, or other social and sporting events. Bars, taverns and restaurants are also places where beer can be enjoyed by many. Illicit drugs have no legitimate use at all.
There is no need to worry about long-term negative effects for the majority of adults who drink beer, as long as they do so responsibly. In contrast, even very small amounts of illicit substances affect you much more quickly and drastically. The body has a much stronger, adverse reaction to illicit drugs and becomes easily addicted to them. It's almost impossible to use illicit drugs without feeling the need to have more.
Because most American adults consume beer safety, it is legal to buy, sell and drink beer in this country. When our society believes a product is too harmful for us, we pass a law against it. Illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin are illegal because they are too dangerous to be safely used even occasionally or in small amounts. Because these drugs are illicit they are not produced under health or safety regulations, and they may contain harmful, even lethal ingredients.
Why is beer being linked with illicit drugs in the schools?
Well-meaning teachers are linking alcohol with illicit drugs because they want to stress the potential harm that can come to young children who are not emotionally or physically mature enough to handle an adult product like beer.
Unfortunately, this "scare tactic" has the strong potential to backfire, and may cause children to believe snorting cocaine has the same effect as drinking beer. Many experts say that a more appropriate and effective approach would be to teach children that any use of illicit drugs may be harmful while drinking beer in moderation is quite safe for adults who choose to do so.
Talking With Our Children About Beer
We've already covered a lot of ground. We should be clear on the subjects of responsible drinking; alcoholism and alcohol abuse, and how beer differs from illicit drugs. Now, we need to put this information into terms our children can understand. Picture this: You and your family are sitting down for a good meal. After a hard day at work, you've been looking forward to this. The food looks great and you're ready to sit back and enjoy it. You reach over and pop open your can of beer. Suddenly, your eight year old blurts out "We learned at school today that beer is real bad for you. Why are you drinking it?"
What do I say?
More than likely, all children will receive some negative messages about alcohol from the media, their teachers, or others that they look up to. We know how challenging facing these situations can be - for both you and your children.
We suggest you begin reading this section by giving yourself credit for reviewing this discussion guide. By doing so, you now should have all the explanations you'll need to face your child's questions about beer. Or do you still have a few of your own?
Should I be concerned about what my child is learning?
Education in school about beer and alcohol if correctly handled serves an important and positive purpose. In general, we as parents can feel good that our children are learning skills and receiving information that will help them deal with decisions they will face as they grow older.
In some cases, however, a child may be given a one-sided message, and begin to think that beer is always bad for everybody. This can place a parent in a tough situation, especially if he or she enjoys drinking beer and does so responsibly.
How can I enjoy my beer without confusing my kids?
To do this, you will need to sit down and discuss your thoughts about beer with your child. If you do this, you can communicate that beer is not for children, or for adults who abuse it. And, you can also communicate that it is possible for adults to enjoy beer in a positive fashion. Not all adults choose to drink beer, and that's okay.
Are there some basic principles for parent-child discussions?
Dealing with children about drinking beer is pretty much the same as dealing with other challenging issues you face raising children. A few basic principles will go a long way:
1. Know your own values and communicate them clearly. If you feel clear and positive about beer and its responsible use, it will be easier to inform your child of the proper facts and values.
2. Be a positive role model in both actions and words. Even though it may not seem like it sometimes, children are always looking to their parents for clues on how to act and what to think. Your actions and words can either serve as a positive model - or a negative model. Its up to you. Here are some examples of each kind of modeling:
| Positive Role Model | Negative Role Model |
| Drinks beer responsibly | Asks child to get beer from refrigerator |
| Lets child know you know your limits | Gets drunk, especially in front of your child |
| Uses/serves as designated driver as appropriate | Drinks in excess, then drives |
| Feels at ease drinking in front of child | Is apologetic about having a beer |
| Shows child he/she can have good times without beer | Acts as if the beer makes the times good |
Keep the lines of communication between you and your child open. When children come to parents with questions or comments about an issue (beer drinking, for example), they are usually looking for some kind of guidance or help in straightening out or clarifying their thoughts. This situation calls for clear communication.
Set limits and rules that are firm, yet clear to the child. An important part of being a parent involves setting limits letting children know what they can and can't do and enforcing consequences when they do something they shouldn't. Even though it often doesn't seem so at the time, children appreciate it when they have limits and know what the limits are. It helps them "stay in the lines" of the coloring book of life!
How do I keep the lines of communication open?
Just how do I show acceptance?
We communicate acceptance when we:
Non-acceptance is communicated when we:
What do I need to know before having this discussion?
You need to know:
Your Own Thoughts
There is a lot of information to take in about beer drinking in this guide. We've all probably learned some new things, and had some new thoughts on the subject. To help yourself be really clear about this, ask yourself the following questions:
As you think about these important questions, you may want to jot down some of your thoughts to become even clearer about them, it is also a good idea to share your thoughts with your spouse, or someone close to you who also knows your child.
Your Child
By "know your child", we mean two things. First because every child is an individual, know your child as a person. Second, know the basic issues facing all children your child's age. To really get to know your child as a person, you can ask yourself the following questions. Again, it will help if you discuss your answers with your, spouse or with someone else close to you and your child.
Concerns of your child's age group
Children at different ages face different concerns and approach the world differently.
Children up to 7 years old are:
Children between 8 and 13 years old are:
High school-aged children are:
Anticipate the questions - You can be pretty sure that, sooner or later, your child will come to you with a question or concern about beer or beer drinking.
Again, by referring back to specific sections in this guide, you will more than likely have all the answers you need but as with life in general, each of your child's questions will call for a slightly different response on your part.
What can I do to correct negative ideas from school?
At some point you may be faced with questions your child brings home from school which conflict directly with what you are teaching him or her about things like drinking beer. Once you believe you can share the information in this guide clearly and with authority, you can approach your child's teacher to clear up any confusion that may exist. Here are a few steps to follow to prepare:
Each child is a unique person - with personal interests and concerns. Following are possible questions, as well as suggestions for forming appropriate answers on these challenging topics.
But if you can drink, why can't I?
Disciplining children is more effective when you express yourself in the positive form of "do this" rather than "don't do this". Try to flip your child's "why can't I" question around in the positive, such as "I know it may seem to you that you can handle many things in a mature way. Alcohol is one thing that takes the full experience of a adult to handle, and when you are old enough, you will be able to make a decision about whether or not you want to drink beer. You can drink:
My teacher said beer is a drug. Is it?
"He/she told you that because, technically, a 'drug' is anything that can change the way our mind or body works. Because alcohol has these kinds of effects - and beer contains alcohol - it is considered a legal drug, even though most people think of it as a beverage.
"But it is very important to understand that there is a major difference between beer and illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, or angel dust. Beer is a legal product - meant for enjoyment - that can be consumed responsibly. Illicit drugs are illegal because they serve no useful purpose and are dangerous to the mind and body."
Are you calling my teacher a liar?
"It may seem to you that I am saying one thing and your teacher is saying another. Let me take a minute to explain. Your teacher is probably telling you that both beer and illicit drugs are bad because he/she wants to stress the potential harm that can come to young children. You are not emotionally or physically mature enough to handle an adult product like beer, and I agree with him/her there.
"It may seem like your teacher and I disagree, and I am concerned that the information he/she has given you may be misleading. It's important to remember that there is a major difference between beer - and illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin or angel dust. Beer is a safe, legal product for adults - when used responsibly. Illicit drugs are dangerous and illegal for all of us. I don't want you to grow up to believe snorting cocaine has the same effect as drinking a beer, because they are not the same at all.
"Teaching experts say that a smarter way would be to teach you that any use of illicit drugs may be harmful, while drinking beer correctly is quite safe for most adults. Can you tell me what I’ve just said so I can be sure it is clear to you?"
If beer is bad, why do you drink it?
"Beer is not a bad product, it's a good product. I say it’s not for kids because you have not grown enough to be able to drink it responsibly. It’s almost like when I tell you not to eat so much candy. The candy is not bad, its how much you eat and when, that makes the difference. The same with beer for adults – they’ll be sorry if they have too much."
If you drink beer are you an alcoholic?
"Since you asked me that question, you must be worried about me, and I love you for caring about me like that. Drinking beer does not make me an alcoholic. Only some people who drink beer are alcoholics, and I am not one of them. I am able to - and I do - drink beer safely. Do you want me to tell you what makes an alcoholic?'
What makes an alcoholic?
"Alcoholism is a disease - like the measles or chicken pox - only one that lasts a person's whole life. It's really more like asthma or an allergy -you know how some people sneeze a lot when the dust flies around in the summer, and other people cannot drink milk? It’s not the dust or the milk that is bad; these things don't affect most people at all. It's that this particular person's body just can’t handle it.
"In the case of an alcoholic, this is a person whose body cannot handle alcohol. The body develops a need for more and more alcohol, and too much alcohol is bad for a person."
How does someone know if they are an alcoholic?
"That's a good question. Someone might be an alcoholic if they want to stop drinking, but can't; if they would rather drink instead of going to work or spending time with their family or friends; if the person is drunk all the time, or if they are always trying to find a time and place to drink. Also, if a person goes on a lot of drinking binges, like getting drunk on the weekends, there might be a drinking problem."
Will I become an alcoholic?
If your family has no history of alcoholism, an appropriate answer is:
"It’s not likely, if you learn how to drink beer the right way. Alcoholism does not run in our family, and we try to work out our problems rather than avoiding them by drinking excessively."
If alcoholism does run in the family, it is very important for parents to let children know:
"It is possible, because there have been cases of alcoholism in our family, and the disease is believed to be passed down through the generations like heart disease. I'm being open and honest with you now because there are things we can learn and do to prevent you from becoming an alcoholic."
Why is there a legal drinking age?
"In America we have drinking age laws to help ensure that alcohol is purchased only by people who are mature enough to responsibly consume it. This legal drinking age has gone up and down over the years in this country, depending on how society is feeling about how drinking is being handled by those who are at the legal age.
"What’s tricky about setting a legal drinking age is that our society believes it must draw the line somewhere - and it’s hard for people to agree about when a person can responsibly do things like drink beer, drive a car, vote, join the military and hold a job.
"Generally, what legislators are trying to accomplish with a legal drinking age is to determine a year when the general population becomes mature. Maturity is an ability to understand and follow society's rules and customs. Of course, maturity varies from person to person - you may know some kids that seem to have better judgment than some grown people."
How old were you when you started drinking beer?
Be honest in your answer - children know when you are not truthful or are hedging. Point out either that you waited until you were of legal age - or your reason for drinking before you were of legal age and the consequences.
What's it like being drunk? How do you know?!?
"It’s an ugly experience. When you drink too much and get drunk, you lose control of yourself and can put yourself and others in danger. You may do stupid things. Also, you usually get a bad headache and can get sick to your stomach. I know what is like because I made a mistake a few times and drank too much. It was a very unpleasant experience - sort of like the flu."
Why do some people get drunk?
"Now that's a good question, because it doesn't seem that it is something that people would want to do. People get drunk because they don't drink beer in the right way. They may want to forget a problem. Or they didn't take the proper steps to plan their drinking, and the amount of beer they drank caught up with them."
Why do they say "don't drink and drive?"
"If I drink a few beers throughout the evening, I'm still capable of driving safely, but they say don't drink and drive to warn people against drinking more than their limit. When people drink past their limit, they lose coordination and their reaction time slows down. To drive safely, you need to rely on good coordination and quick reaction."
In addition to answering your child's questions, it is a good idea to take some time to have a thorough discussion with him or her about beer drinking in your family. To have family discussions that are successful and productive, keep these points in mind.
Always remember that the discussions are for both you and your child to explore ideas and share them with each other. Therefore, it will be important for you to be non-judgmental and to listen to what your child has to say. Even if you disagree with some of his or her feelings, you should allow these feelings to be expressed. That’s what a discussion is all about!
Discussion Topic #1
Adult activities are different than kids' (Allow about 30 minutes)
This discussion is designed to help the child understand that the kinds of activities that adults do are different from those that children do. The parents and the child list three activities that adults can do but children can't, and three activities that children can do but adults can't. Have each person read his or her list out loud, and talk about some of the ideas that came up.
| Some Things Adults Can Do and Children Don't | Some Things Children Do and Adults Don't |
| Drink beer | Have recess |
| Vote | Have slumber parties |
| Drive | Go to camp |
| Stay home alone | Play in the sandbox |
Discussion topic #2
Different strokes for different folks (Allow about 30 minutes)
Like topic #1, this discussion is designed to help your child understand that adults can differ in the kinds of things they like. First, have your children list three things that you like that are different than things another adult family member (a spouse, for example) likes to do. Discuss this list.
Second, together with your child, come up with two lists; One list of things that your family enjoys doing but that another family you know well might not enjoy doing, and a second list of some ways your family is different than the other family (for example, "we are laid-back, they are intense" . . . 'we are talkative, they are quiet' etc.). Discuss how this list illustrates differences between families.
Discussion topic #3
Sharing family values (Allow about 60 minutes)
This discussion is designed to help both you and your child explore some of the values and rules your family has about beer. It is an especially good activity to do with all family members at once. Following are three "dilemmas" in which family members might find themselves.
Select a dilemma and read it out loud to the family. Have everyone write out what they would do. Then share your "solutions" with one another, discussing the pros and cons of each person's solution. Try to arrive at a family consensus on what would be the right thing to do.
In doing this activity, parents should recognize the child's right to his or her own opinion, and the child should recognize that, after all is said and done, the parents are the ones to set the family rules.
Dilemma 1. A 22-year-old brother comes home from college for the winter holidays. His 16-year-old sister approaches him and asks him to buy her a case of beer for a party her friends are having. She explains to her brother that her popularity depends on her being able to get the beer. What should the brother do?
Dilemma 2. Bill, a high school junior, notices some of his friends drinking beer in a park behind some bushes. When he goes home, his father asks him where he was. Then, the telephone rings and Bill's father answers. It is the parents of one of the boys who was drinking beer. They have been looking for their son all evening. The father then asks Bill if he has seen the boy. What should Bill do?
Dilemma 3. There is an uncle who is very close to a family. He often comes over to the family’s house for dinner and to spend the evening. The last several times, however, he has been drinking a lot of the parents' beer and getting loud and obnoxious. The parents are very concerned about the example the uncle is setting for their children, but know how much the children love the uncle and how much they enjoy spending time with him. What should the parents do?
Discussion Topic #4
Favorite foods and beverages (Allow about 15 minutes)
This discussion is designed to help the child understand that beer may be a favorite beverage of yours. Both you and your child should list five favorite foods and three favorite beverages. Then share your lists, explaining why you like each one.
Discussion Topic #5
Problem solving (Allow about 45 minutes)
Many situations - like facing peer pressure - pose a problem for children that do not have a single solution. The discussion is intended to help children understand that what is important in these situations is that the child have a problem-solving method, rather than a single solution that may not apply to all problems. Following are the steps children can take in solving problems. Discuss each step with your child as you go through the example provided.
A teenager is at a party. It is time to go home, but the friend who drove him or her there has been drinking. How does your teen get home?
1. Define the problem – "How do I get home safely?"
2. Brainstorm for solutions - List all possible solutions, both good and bad ones. Possible solutions might include:
a) Sleep at the party.
b) Take the friend’s key and use his or her car to get home.
c) Get a ride from a sober friend.
d) Call parents for a ride home.
e) Take a cab or bus.
f) Walk home.
3. Evaluate each possible solution - list the pros and cons for each solution.
4. Decide on the three best options - it is important to list three choices so that, if one does not work out, there will be a "back-up" plan of action. For example, if the first solution was to call parents for a ride, and the parents weren't home, the child would need a back-up solution.
Corporate Responsibility At Work
Miller Brewing Company is a socially responsible company and is a part of the solution to our country’s alcohol abuse problem. Beer is a fine product, it is the misuse of the product that is the problem we need to address.
In fact, thanks to everyone's efforts, genuine progress is being made in reducing the problem of alcohol abuse. According to the government, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have been continuously declining during the 1980s; liver disease from excessive drinking has declined steadily since 1973; underage drinking and driving incidents have dramatically declined since 1982; and the awareness of the health risks of excessive drinking during pregnancy is at an all-time high.
Miller is a partner in alcohol education with such organizations as the Health Education Foundation, National Commission Against Driving Drunk and the Alcohol Policy Council. We support the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation, which helps fund research examining the cause of alcoholism as well as research about the beneficial effects of moderate drinking.
With the idea of promoting responsible consumption of beer, Miller created our "Think When You Drink" campaign to help remind people to drink responsibly. You will find this message on our point-of-sale materials in bars and liquor stores, and in our advertising.
A number of years ago, Miller developed the AIM (Alcohol Information from Miller) materials for our distributors. This alcohol education program gives distributors the information and teaching methods needed to help others understand responsible drinking.
The "Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers "(TIPS) program, adopted by hundreds of Miller distributors, equips them to train bartenders, package store staff and concession vendors on how alcohol affects behavior and how to sell and serve alcohol beverages responsibly. Through TIPS, thousands of people over the years have learned to promote responsible drinking to their customers.
All of us working together can help encourage each other toward more responsible drinking. We hope this Consumer Guide has provided meaningful information, and that you will share it with your family, friends and community groups.
For additional information on this subject, or if you have questions or comments, please call 1-800-MILLER-6, or write Consumer Affairs, Miller Brewing Company, 3939 W. Highland Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
Copyright © 1991 Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin