‘It’s only poison when abused’: Spike defends Dr. Oz’s alcohol comments amid criticism
Jan 12, 2026, 12:44 PM
In response to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, calling alcohol a “social lubricant” that should be used in a “celebratory fashion,” many critics pushed back on Oz’s claims, stating that alcohol is an “addictive carcinogen.”
Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill, co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, sided with Oz, noting that alcohol in moderation can be beneficial in various social settings, while also noting that anything can be unhealthy if abused.
“You know, alcohol is getting a bad rap, for these people to come out and say it’s poison, or it’s toxic. That’s only when it’s abused. But what isn’t?” Spike said.
“There are probably more people dying from eating too much cheese than they are from alcohol abuse, I would guess,” Jake responded. “Think about heart disease, and all these things. Being fat and all these other things.”
Jake and Spike built on the “social lubricant” statement and raised concerns over the steep decline of younger adults choosing not to drink. Primarily, the concerns centered on the decline in drinking and its correlation with fewer people engaging in social settings and meeting new friends.
“The Make America Healthy Again movement has its problems; there are some things that they do that I don’t know, but this one. I’m all for this,” Spike said. “Enjoy life and use a little alcohol socially, meet the courage to go up and say hi to that man or woman.”
“Young people don’t drink. They’re not drinking, not having school dances anymore. I’m not saying these two should happen at the same time,” Jake responded. “Rates have decreased for younger people, a super steep decline for young people since 2022. They’re not partying, not going out, not going to bars and meeting each other.”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
