[victorp13]

I'm curious as to what the movie/tv industry's role is in this increase in solitary drinking. I was an active 'solo' drinker as well, who recently stopped altogether. Since I stopped I've noticed something peculiar that I wonder if other people noticed as well: A lot of TV shows and movies contain scenes where alcohol is being positioned as a "fix" for something.

- Just had a tough situation? Have a drink!

- Feeling anxious? A drink takes the edge off!

- Feeling awkward at a social event? Drink!

Now, I have people working in the alcohol industry who insist that there is no direct product placement or company sponsoring going on. This seems believable, because oftentimes there are no specific brands mentioned in these scenes.

However, this did get me thinking: Is there any alcohol lobby that influences writers to include these types of "benefits of alcohol" scenes into their scripts? When you start to recognise them, you'll notice that a lof of these scenes are entirely unnecessary, to the point where you have to think that a script writer had to deliberately add the alcohol into the scene!

[wombat-man]

I think part of it is the character needs something to do with their hands, or something like that. I've cut back a lot in my drinking and noticed this a lot too. Lots of straight liquor drinking.

[burntoutfire]

I suspect it might be just writers being lazy and following the easy tropes.