Sub-Forum Specific Rules

[Sheryl]

The “I Drink Too Much” sub-forum is intended to assist people who are experiencing a problem related to alcohol use, their own or that of someone close to them. As there is no separate forum for drug abuse, and considerable overlap in some of the issues involved, people struggling with drug abuse issues are also welcome.

The general rules regarding Thai Visa forum pertain as set out in http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

The following are forum-specific rules:

1. Civility and Compassion:

Like the main Health forum, this is a place where people seek information or help of a personal nature, often in the context of a serious and stressful problem. It is absolutely essential that they are able to do so without fear of ridicule or judgment. Forum rules regarding flaming etc will therefore be enforced with particular strictness. The level of banter that might be acceptable in other forums will not be allowed here if, in the opinion of the Moderators, it is likely to make other members uncomfortable or hesitant to post..

2. Tolerance:

There are different views about what constitutes “problem drinking” or how alcoholism is defined. Experience has shown that debates over this are unhelpful and quickly devolve into flaming. Ultimately only the individual involved can determine whether or not alcohol is a problem in their lives. Posters are welcome to share their experiences and observations, but theoretical debates are to be avoided.

There are a number of different approaches to achieving sobriety. Thai Visa neither endorses nor condemns any of them, and this forum is not an appropriate venue for campaigns to either discredit or promote a particular approach. People who have achieved sobriety are naturally eager to share what worked for them with others, and people who have decided for or against a particular approach are often understandably eager to explain and defend their choice. Sharing of experiences is absolutely encouraged, but should not cross the line into argumentative debate or defamatory campaigns. These are unconstructive and will not be allowed. Please limit yourself to describing what did or did not work for you/people you know, and respect that the experience of others may differ.

Constructive suggestions – particularly those based on personal experience – are welcome, but overly aggressive attempts to persuade someone to adopt or discard a particular approach to achieving sobriety are not permitted. Moderators will use their discretion in determining at what point the line between constructive suggestions and aggressive attempts to persuade/dissuade is crossed.

3. Confidentiality:

An expat sub-forum for people with drinking problems living in Thailand will invariably involve people who have met – sometimes in the context of a recovery program -- or have friends in common, and the highly sensitive nature of the problem will often lead to off-line private exchanges. Each individual has an absolute right to decide what to share on this forum and what to keep private. Posts which in any way identify another poster or reveal the private communications of another poster are not allowed. This includes the content of PMs, emails, phone discussions, direct conversations, and discussions that occurred in other forums or groups, online or otherwise.

If you feel that another poster has broken forum rules or is harassing you via PM, please report it to Support, but do not post about it.

As in all Thai Visa forums, posts discussing Moderation are not permitted. Concerns or feedback on moderation should be conveyed to the Moderator involved or the Thai Visa Support via PM or (in the case of Support) email.

If you feel that any post is in violation of these rules or otherwise unacceptable/offensive, please use the “report” function rather than attempting to moderate the issue yourself.