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I no longer drink alcohol, why is that weird?
- Thread starter CraigerGamer
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Hours Left
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I don't drink but most of my friends do and it's never been an issue. There's nothing strange about it. Live your life how you want, people that care about you should respect and support this choice.
This too shall pass, op.
I stopped not long after I started, so obviously it became a recurring conversation piece amongst my friends and family. Eventually the constant questions grew into gentle ribbing as they came to accept it. Now it's become a thing where whenever a new addition to our social circle asks me why I stopped, my friends take turns trying to spin the craziest story possible as an explanation, which is almost always incredibly entertaining.
Try turning it into a joke, hopefully everyone will catch on?
I stopped not long after I started, so obviously it became a recurring conversation piece amongst my friends and family. Eventually the constant questions grew into gentle ribbing as they came to accept it. Now it's become a thing where whenever a new addition to our social circle asks me why I stopped, my friends take turns trying to spin the craziest story possible as an explanation, which is almost always incredibly entertaining.
Try turning it into a joke, hopefully everyone will catch on?
I can't function when I'm drunk. I can't do anything I really enjoy doing. Can't drive, can't play video games, can't do computer programming. Being drunk completely takes me out for the night. It becomes all I do.
I was also in a fraternity in college. I binge drank for like 3 years. It wasn't a night until you had "puked and rallied" meaning thrown up then kept drinking. It really burned me out.
I drink like maybe once a year now. I really don't enjoy it very much. Nothing wrong with abstaining from alcohol, it's actually a pretty shitty drug IMO.
I was also in a fraternity in college. I binge drank for like 3 years. It wasn't a night until you had "puked and rallied" meaning thrown up then kept drinking. It really burned me out.
I drink like maybe once a year now. I really don't enjoy it very much. Nothing wrong with abstaining from alcohol, it's actually a pretty shitty drug IMO.
Extra Sauce
Member
I smoked weed for over a decade and mostly enjoyed it, but controlling my buzz was always a challenge. Too easy to go overboard into the zone of discomfort.
Recently I was given some hashish by a family friend and man... it is exactly what I've always wanted but never knew I did. I had tried it multiple times over the years of course, but I guess it took me having some at home to fully realize how much smoother, and easier to dose the thing is. Unfortunately though it seems to be much harder to find...
keltickennedy
Member
I never understood the concept of drinking to blackout levels and you don't remember shit. I drink a few to get a buzzed going and then I enjoy the night as I slowly come down. No hangover and I remember the awesome night.
Just last night there was this idiot outside my building. Somehow he managed to surpass the buzz, the drunk, the blackout, the pass out.. and entered into this level of drunkenness I have never seen. So bad, that it seemed like he was speaking this old lost Nordic language that vikings would chant in a mead hall. Just walking up and down the street at 4:30 in the monring...."BA!!!! MNAAAAAAA HA BA!!!!! RAHHHH!!! FOOS RA TA!!!!" What the fuck? I called the cops and they picked him up.
Most people love to obsess over every little thing other people do, despite it having zero effect on anyone else's life 99% of the time. Personally I don't know where they find the energy to do so, I barely care about what I'm doing and certainly don't delve into the details of what other people are up to for the most part.
I love drinking, but there's a hundred other things I could relate the feeling to. The "you like THAT?" or "you don't like THIS?" phenomenon. Biggest one for me is probably that I live in a rural area where everyone is huge on hunting, fishing, guns, etc. Other guys often try to start a conversation with me about guns/hunting...it's usually the number 1 go to for small talk. When I say I've never owned a gun in my life I get looks like they just saw an extraterrestrial.
I love drinking, but there's a hundred other things I could relate the feeling to. The "you like THAT?" or "you don't like THIS?" phenomenon. Biggest one for me is probably that I live in a rural area where everyone is huge on hunting, fishing, guns, etc. Other guys often try to start a conversation with me about guns/hunting...it's usually the number 1 go to for small talk. When I say I've never owned a gun in my life I get looks like they just saw an extraterrestrial.
BolognaSoup
Member
I can't fathom judging people because they do NOT drink. Like who the hell are you hanging out with?
True any drug could potentially make any given person feel shitty. But what I was getting at is alcohol consumption pretty much goes hand in hand with feeling shitty if you drink enough of it due to alcohol poisoning.. Hangovers, puking, etc.
There are certainly metrics by which marijuana could be considered objectively better than alcohol because of this. You can OD on alcohol, literally poison yourself, but not marijuana.
TheSaddestSort
Member
I don't drink because I don't like the flavor of alcohol. I also don't have a problem with those that do drink, just don't barf in my car.
Go big or go home, brah.
Diuresis means to form urine.
Alcohol is a anti-diuretic that inhibits the body from producing ADH (anti-diuretic hormone). ADH helps us conserve water.
Hence, we pee a lot from alcohol consumption and some people think alcohol-mediated dehydration is what contributes to the hang-over sensation.
Alcohol is a anti-diuretic that inhibits the body from producing ADH (anti-diuretic hormone). ADH helps us conserve water.
Hence, we pee a lot from alcohol consumption and some people think alcohol-mediated dehydration is what contributes to the hang-over sensation.
StudioTan
Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
I stopped drinking when I was 18, not for any particular reason I had just had enough of it in highschool (yes, I was underage when I started and stopped) and never really cared for it. It really does make many people uncomfortable. Maybe it's because they think you're judging them? I honestly don't know.
People who judge for this are assholes. Just tell them, "hey, I'm not telling you that alcohol unhealthy, kills brain cells, is involved in most violent crime and deadly car accidents, and that there are literally millions of people who suffer from alcoholism, so maybe you shouldn't be fucking drinking, dick."
Alcohol sounds like a bad, bad person.
Why is "it's fun" a stupid response?
Drinking is a communal activity for a lot of adults. If there's drinking at a social gathering, then someone who abstains is definitely going to be the odd man out, so to speak.
Also, from the perspective of someone who drinks regularly, but not to the point of intoxication, I think a lot of people who don't drink are preachy and dull company. Alcohol can be damaging, and it's a dangerous drug, but in moderation the risks of drinking are minimal.
Also, from the perspective of someone who drinks regularly, but not to the point of intoxication, I think a lot of people who don't drink are preachy and dull company. Alcohol can be damaging, and it's a dangerous drug, but in moderation the risks of drinking are minimal.
I said involved in, not caused. Look up some stats.
Muffdraul
Member
I assumed it was scientifically proven. It was only a few years ago that I learned about "the water trick" i.e. drink as much alcohol as you want, and then guzzle as much water as you can before going to sleep, and you'll wake up with no hangover. It works like magic for me, really wish I knew about it in my younger days when I was more prone to overdoing it. I hear tell it doesn't work for everyone, though.
And the people you're calling preachy and dull probably think a lot of the people drinking in the room are obnoxious and stupid, at least while they're under the influence. Lol
Daniel Jackson
Member
I haven't had any alcohol for about 5 years now I think, perhaps a few more.
And before that I only drank very occasionally
And before that I only drank very occasionally
CornBurrito
Member
It isn't luck. If you don't drink to the point of drunkness you won't get a hangover.
CornBurrito
Member
This is the social equivalent of screaming MEAT IS MURDER when you get invited to the local community BBQ.
I really don't get why people assume that drinking means getting blackout drunk. I have a glass of wine with dinner every now and then. Or a hard cider or two every other weekend. Apparently that's the same as getting black out drunk or college frat levels of drinking.
Now this is complete crap in the opposite direction of the complete crap that the OP was getting from family and friends.
But hey, it's the Internet. We only deal in extremes.
CornBurrito
Member
You either dont drink at all ever or you drink enough to get blackout drunk with no recollection of the past 24 hours. There's no such thing as a single glass of wine once every couple days, or an occasional beer, or a single glass of champagne at a wedding.
Rodney McKay
Member
I never really got into alcohol at all, so I hardly ever drink. Most of what I've tried just tastes terrible, like something I'd work with in a chemistry lab. Ciders are OK (if you like apple juice), there are a few wines that I've tried that are good (and super hard to find unfortunately), and there are some tequilas that I like (the smoother, more expensive stuff).
My girlfriend drinks a lot of wine and the amount of money required for it is just insane. Even a cheap $5 bottle every day adds up over the course of a month. And at restaurants 2-3 glasses is usually stupid expensive. The most I'll drink is a shot of tequila or two (mainly because it's a smaller amount of gross stuff I'm drinking instead of a full glass) and even that adds up on the bill really quickly.
I do feel bad sometimes when I'm out with friends and I'm the only person not drinking (or drinking just a glass or a shot), but I've gotten better about not letting that get to me.
My drink of choice of soda which costs me a $5-8 for a pack that lasts me a week or more. It's not healthy for me I know, but at least I don't have to worry about driving somewhere when I drink it or feeling like shit in the morning.
My girlfriend drinks a lot of wine and the amount of money required for it is just insane. Even a cheap $5 bottle every day adds up over the course of a month. And at restaurants 2-3 glasses is usually stupid expensive. The most I'll drink is a shot of tequila or two (mainly because it's a smaller amount of gross stuff I'm drinking instead of a full glass) and even that adds up on the bill really quickly.
I do feel bad sometimes when I'm out with friends and I'm the only person not drinking (or drinking just a glass or a shot), but I've gotten better about not letting that get to me.
My drink of choice of soda which costs me a $5-8 for a pack that lasts me a week or more. It's not healthy for me I know, but at least I don't have to worry about driving somewhere when I drink it or feeling like shit in the morning.
Certinty
Member
It's pretty pathetic. I used to drink every now and then to begin with but now it's more like once every few months.
Anyway most of my friends drink reguarly and love getting wasted and other shit like that and I swear every time they get drunk the topic of how I don't think anymore always comes up with them laughing at me or forcing me to drink with them. According to them i'm "not making the most of my life" and "need to loosen up and have some fun", but seriously fuck them and everyone who thinks drinking is required to have fun and thinks it's bad not to drink.
Right now I'm happy anyway, met some new friends who don't drink and my best friend also barely ever drinks so that's pretty good for me. I have always been a person who generally accepts letting people do what they want for the most part without judging or caring and really wish more people I knew were like this.
Anyway most of my friends drink reguarly and love getting wasted and other shit like that and I swear every time they get drunk the topic of how I don't think anymore always comes up with them laughing at me or forcing me to drink with them. According to them i'm "not making the most of my life" and "need to loosen up and have some fun", but seriously fuck them and everyone who thinks drinking is required to have fun and thinks it's bad not to drink.
Right now I'm happy anyway, met some new friends who don't drink and my best friend also barely ever drinks so that's pretty good for me. I have always been a person who generally accepts letting people do what they want for the most part without judging or caring and really wish more people I knew were like this.
CornBurrito
Member
Yeah one beer or a glass of wine will wipe out all your memory of the night.
And you can overdose on weed too.
You seem like a blast
I don't hang out socially with people who drink anymore, and the stigma and questions and questionable stares are a big reason for that. I don't have a problem with people who drink responsibly, but they seem to have a problem with me not drinking. I just want to avoid that altogether. I've got several friends and family that don't do it, so it's not an issue for me anymore. And, luckily, nobody drinks alcohol at our family gatherings, which is nice.
How did you glean that from his not liking alcohol?
This is exactly the attitude I hate. I used to hear this ALL the time, even when I wasn't the one to randomly bring up the fact that I don't drink.
How did you glean that from his not liking alcohol?
This is exactly the attitude I hate. I used to hear this ALL the time, even when I wasn't the one to randomly bring up the fact that I don't drink.
You must be great at parties.
SmackDaddy
Member
Wow GAF, you must be fun at parties.
Seriously though, It's fun for some people, and thats the only reason anyone should require to do "thing".
I see a couple people in this thread, and others, trying to reason their way out of social stuff. Communal activities goooood!
Seriously though, It's fun for some people, and thats the only reason anyone should require to do "thing".
I see a couple people in this thread, and others, trying to reason their way out of social stuff. Communal activities goooood!
Kurt Angle
Member
whats a good lie?
like i cant just say i got health problems, they'll ask what. whats a good disease. cant say liver problems, that sounds too serious
like i cant just say i got health problems, they'll ask what. whats a good disease. cant say liver problems, that sounds too serious
Every been stoned with a bunch of friends?
Delicious Waffles
Member
I've never drank alcohol and I'm not weird nor are you. If it's such a big deal to certain people and they give you shit for it, they aren't people you should be hanging around.
crazyrabbits
Banned
I don't regularly drink with friends, not because of social pressure, but because I'm used to being able to grab a drink or two for free at events and parties that have open bar. If people have a problem with it, that's their prerogative.
Posts like this make me want to drink.
notworksafe
Member
See this is the type of person who is an insufferable teetotaler.
Just not drinking cause you aren't interested and also aren't interested in getting on your high horse about it is nothing weird, OP.
Red Liquorice
Member
Most people find any behaviour that goes against the grain threatening because it makes them question their own motives in following the herd. It's easier to criticize and ostracize you because of your behaviour and motives than it is to evaluate their own.
kamineko
Does his best thinking in the flying car
I don't drink anymore. It's really rare for anyone to make a big deal out of it. It's just not that important to other people. Why would it be?
If somebody does want to turn it into something, I just assume it's some insecurity of theirs, and that it doesn't actually have anything to do with me.
'course I don't have a vested interest in whether others drink or not. Everybody ought to do what feels right for them.
If somebody does want to turn it into something, I just assume it's some insecurity of theirs, and that it doesn't actually have anything to do with me.
'course I don't have a vested interest in whether others drink or not. Everybody ought to do what feels right for them.
StylesClash
Member
I agree that I don't get why people have a hard time accepting that some of us *gasp* don't drink...
I'm imagining him in a social gathering with that attitude. Not drinking is perfectly fine, but that attitude is what makes it lame.
Again, it's 100% fine if you don't drink. I have a big group I hang out with all the time. We drink when we hang. Half of the group does, half don't. I don't think they're lame...obviously. I never give them shit. They still have fun, we still have fun, it's all good.
But it's all in that attitude.
Right, you wouldn't actually do this - my point in putting it here is to demonstrate why people shouldn't give non-drinkers a hard time, there are a plethora of reasons not to drink, and good reasons to drink as well. So to each their own.
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