The Pressure to Drink - Even As An Adult

[fiftyofsomethin]

Hey guys, I could write out a long opinion here, but this article says it all.

 

Please read it, it's pretty well-done. As a non-drinker, and someone who does not plan to drink any time soon, I go through this quite often.

 

You Don?t Drink? What?s Wrong With You? | The Current Conscience

 

I await to hear your thoughts.

[TaraMaiden]

I have never gone through this and I have never been an habitual/social drinker in my adult life.

 

Occasionally during a meal, I will have a glass of wine; half of it will remain, or my H. will finish it, or I will water it down as a spritzer.

It's never been a problem or an issue with me.

[TaraMaiden]

And it's not an article, i think; It's someone's blog, or some kind of social blogging site, or something....? I dunno....

 

Frankly, I am personally amazed that it's such an issue for them.

 

In fact, the UK Saturday Times magazine ran an article only yesterday that the propensity for drinking large amounts of alcohol, is falling, among young people.

[todreaminblue]

Hey guys, I could write out a long opinion here, but this article says it all.

 

Please read it, it's pretty well-done. As a non-drinker, and someone who does not plan to drink any time soon, I go through this quite often.

 

You Don?t Drink? What?s Wrong With You? | The Current Conscience

 

I await to hear your thoughts.

 

i think if you stand strong and people are really your friends they dont pressure you to drink.....i dont drink and they used to good naturedly want me to have a drink with them...but honestly...they have stopped asking because they know i wont drink no matter what they say....when friends of mine come to visit...they dont drink.......we have food instead....and fruit punch....i have an addiction to minted fruit punch....yums. ..deb

[fiftyofsomethin]

i think if you stand strong and people are really your friends they dont pressure you to drink.....i dont drink and they used to good naturedly want me to have a drink with them...but honestly...they have stopped asking because they know i wont drink no matter what they say....when friends of mine come to visit...they dont drink.......we have food instead....and fruit punch....i have an addiction to minted fruit punch....yums. ..deb

 

Well no. In my case no one pressures me to drink, but it is painful to know - or perhaps NOT know - that my friends often go out without me because they know I don't drink.

 

It's a terribly low-level concern, but I suppose this is the cost of living a considerably large social life but not drinking.

 

I have and often do consider changing my decision so I can maybe have the occasional social drink, but the reasons for why I didn't start in the first place still stand: I don't want to experience it and then later rely on the effects of alcohol to obtain a certain mood.

 

Seeing as I have gone through depression before and likely will sometime again later, I don't want to have alcohol as an option. I mean we all think we have great self control, but when we get desperate, who knows what we will do.

[2sunny]

I go! Yes, they invite me - even though I don't drink alcohol... I order something non alcoholic to drink and have a great time!

 

And yes, alcohol is a depressant.

[freestyle]

I'm a non-drinker myself, and I occasionally get the hairy eyeball from people.

I spend a lot of time in bars, for social, and professional reasons, so I have encountered that.

 

It irritates me, because I don't walk around chastising people for choosing to drink--I respect their choices,I feel they should respect mine. I'm very much a "live-and-let-live" type of person.

 

I'll even get the belligerent drunk who insists that I *have to * join them in a drink. That's the only time it annoys me.

 

What's ironic is that I'm often the life of the party, getting people up to dance, and have fun....go figure.

[hppr]

I love alcohol, love getting drunk at a party, I have a fridge specifically for beer in my garage at home. But then I also have friends who drink vodka @ 9am and I can't do that either. I guess my point is everyone draws the line somewhere.

[FitChick]

I've never been a drinker beyond a sip or two because I don't like the taste. If someone pushes a drink on me, I will take a sip and make a horrible face and say, "Here, you can have the rest." They are usually happy to drink it.

[Casablanca]

Only depends on how mature your friends are...I only felt pressure around 19-22 year old who had the maturity of a 14 year old

 

I do drink, but not all the time, if I had a big night drinking the night before, not going to order a beer or drink the next night (or two)

[Art_Critic]

Well no. In my case no one pressures me to drink, but it is painful to know - or perhaps NOT know - that my friends often go out without me because they know I don't drink.

 

Why do they do that ? Go Along anyhow.. having fun has zero to do with Alcohol.

I'm a non drinker as well and always go anywhere I feel like, it doesn't matter to me that people around me drink and I don't.

If someone pressured me then they wouldn't be my friend anymore.

 

I Buy it, Serve it on occasion and am always around people who do have drinks and it doesn't bother me or them.

To me.. it's a non issue and if it was an issue I would re-do my friends roster to accommodate people who care about me and my feelings.

[Art_Critic]

What's ironic is that I'm often the life of the party, getting people up to dance, and have fun....go figure.

 

Me too !!...

[Roadkill007]

I remember being invited to drink quite often when I was underage, and I never even gave it a thought. However, ever since I've allowed myself to drink after I turned 21 years old, I found that I enjoy the taste of some alcoholic beverages and I enjoy the tipsiness effect it has on me. It honestly turns me into a giggle monster.

 

It's kind of funny since I'm actually the one one who drinks at all in my group of friends, so it's usually me trying to cajole them into taking just a sip or something so I feel a bit less out of place for enjoying my drink I never get/got drunk though. Doesn't seem like it'd be a pleasant experience.

[Pisces13]

I've actually just decided to give up drinking myself. I don't drink too often (maybe 2 or 3 times a month), but I just can't handle it when I do. I drink until I'm wasted beyond belief, and I make stupid decisions as a result. I just take on this whole "me against the world" complex. I hate the person that I become when I'm wasted drunk, it's not me at all.

 

I also suffer from a bit of anxiety when in social situations such as being in a night club or bar, so I keep drinking more to relax myself. I also suffer from a bit of depression, so the next couple of days after a big night out I usually feel quite down.

 

Every regret in my life has come from being under the influence of alcohol, really I should have given up drinking a long time ago, but I thought I could get a handle on it, it's become very clear though that I can't, so it's better just to refrain from doing it all together.

 

Thankfully, I don't feel like I have to drink, it's not something I can't live without or that I crave, it's just something I choose to do I guess. But I've let it go on long enough, it's time to actually do something about it, it's time to stop.

[Biscous]

With some of my friends from work this does create a barrier between myself and them because I primarily focus on my physical fitness rather than going out and drink, so I tend to reject a lot of invites from people that want to go out and drink when I don't want to.

 

Seems I get in some situations with these people where they want me to drink or be their friend by drinking which I don't get. Alcohol was hardly ever in my household as a kid honestly. I'm in my late 20s and drinking is far less interesting to me nowadays, unless it is something to relax with like a good stout.

[skydiveaddict]

Hey guys, I could write out a long opinion here, but this article says it all.

 

Please read it, it's pretty well-done. As a non-drinker, and someone who does not plan to drink any time soon, I go through this quite often.

 

You Don?t Drink? What?s Wrong With You? | The Current Conscience

 

I await to hear your thoughts.

 

Aw hell. Have a few beers. You'll feel better.

[fiftyofsomethin]

Aw hell. Have a few beers. You'll feel better.

 

That's what I mean.

 

I can't drink anyways, I am alcohol intolerant lol.

[bob the brave]

Same boat here.

 

I remember once, a group at work telling me how they all got drunk and what's his name couldn't find his car. It was so funny and they all laughed. So here is what I said:

 

THEY: We had such a good time.

 

ME: That is funny, but what did you do that was a good time?

 

THEY: (looking confused) You know he couldn't find his car...it was so great.

 

ME: Great how?

 

THEY: You don't get it man. He was looking up and down the street asking people where his car was. It was classic.

 

ME: Yes I get it. I always forget where I park my car when I go to the mall and I'm prefectely sober. Isn't that halarious?

 

THEY: You suck.

 

Sorry, but I am with you, drinking to relax or enjoy a cold beer or a nice wine is great. But alcohol is like any other drug - using it socially is for weak minded people.

[TaraMaiden]

Neighbour's 50th.....big celebratory party....

 

Just brought my H back home, via the scenic route (several front gardens, even though we're literally next door) and he has spent the last three-quarters of an hour with his head down the pan.

 

he could hold it once.

 

Tonight's lesson is:

 

Not no more!!

[2sunny]

Big party last night. Lots of people drinking alcohol.

 

I drank my drink = non alcohol drink (lemonade) sometimes orange crush or just water or iced tea.

 

No one asks me to drink an alcoholic drink. I've made it clear my preference at this point.

 

It's no big deal! I drink my choice and they drink their choice.

 

If anyone is pushing you - they aren't your friend - or maybe you haven't made it perfectly clear that it's not in your best interest to drink alcohol.

 

I state the obvious - it would kill the beauty of me.

[tbf]

Never been much of a drinker although there was enough experimenting as a teen and young adult. Once I figured out my tolerance level, that's where I sit. There are often enough, times I don't feel like drinking so I don't. To make drinkers comfortable, I'll have a glass in hand of a non-alcoholic beverage or have a glass of wine I barely or don't bother to sip. Not a big deal.

[MercuryMorrison1]

I've wrestled with on and off bouts of depression of varying degree's for the past six or seven years. Occasionally I find that a stiff drink can (temporarily) diminish these feelings. As far as socially drinking, I almost don't know how to do it. Some people get drunk and its like a party for them. They get all social and happy and just want to have a good time.

 

For me though, drinking has almost always been a vehicle used to escape some of my inner most troubles. While everyone else in the group is partying and having a good time, I tend to stray away from the group and drink alone with nothing by my thoughts flowing freestyle.

 

Its not a good way to live. I'm working on correcting it myself. But it takes dedication and discipline.