Becoming a pioneer

panda100

Im a 23 year old student and over the last year have been drinking alcohol less and less.Its come to the stage where I just want to give it up completly.However,I find this really difficult to do as Im in college and at that age where everyone is drinking.I have tried to just make a pact with myself to give it up but find myself heading out and having one or two pints.
So Ive been thinking that the best thing for me to do is become a pioneer. I believe in God so making a spiritual pact would be qute important to me.I suppose I just want a group of like minded people so Im not doing it by myself and I can go out with like minded people before having a night out with my mates that drink.
Does anyone know of any pioneer groups in Dublin or Limerick and what actuay does becoming a pioneer entail?

Owen

Didn't Jesus turn Water into Wine? Didn't Monks create beer? Don't priests drink every Sunday in front of their congregation? Alcohol isn't bad. It's excess that's bad. Don't become a Pioneer for misguided religious reasons. It's quite alright to have a beer every now and again, one of life's simple pleasures. Just don't do the whole Glutany thing.

panda100

Thats the thing Im not doing it for religous reasons really.Im doing it cos even if I have a couple of drinks I fell rotten the next day and next year in college money will be tight.I really just drink it cos everyone else is having a few scoops.I want to give it up really for health reasons as even three pints of bulmers gives me a roaring headache the next day and Im good fun (i think ) with or without drink in me.
I just dont have the willpower to just give it up by myself and beoming a pioneer will give me that extra push I need to give it up and Id feel sort of bad if I backed out of it cos Ive made a pact with God.

Asiaprod

panda100 wrote:

I just dont have the willpower to just give it up by myself and beoming a pioneer will give me that extra push I need to give it up and Id feel sort of bad if I backed out of it cos Ive made a pact with God.

If it meets your needs, then do it. Its a personal choice. Different strokes for different folks. The Pioneers have done a great job re alcohol and continue to do so.

Hermione*

My uncle's been a pioneer all his life and never once touched alcohol. I couldn't do it, but he's totally ok with it. He has his little pioneer badge which is always attached to his jacket lapel to remind him of his commitment, and that helps him. If it makes you more comfortable, go for it. It just shows you've got individuality imo. I've given up alcohol in the past for a month or so at a time, and the 'why aren't you drinking?' conversations are always funny, if predicable.

Their site is here:
http://pioneertotal.ie/pioneer/

pbsuxok1znja4r

I'm in a similar situation to you, OP. Going into 3rd year at UCD but I'm just not feelin' the whole drinking scene anymore. Which unfortunately means I do less and less socialising with my mates from college. I've had alcohol just once in the last seven months, come to think of it. That was when I was obliged to come out for my friend's birthday.

Anyway, the point is; I've found it effortless to drink less and less, because I never particularly enjoyed doing it and yeah, the next day is invariably horrible. I'm sure if I enjoyed it I would keep doing it.

It's hard to not drink once already out with one's friends. Before you know it someone has brought you back a pint from the bar and you feel obliged. So what seems to have caused me to drink less has been to stop going on alcohol-based outings, etc. Good luck with that, anyway

The badge on the jacket seems like a solid idea.

hairyheretic

Is it really that hard to tell your friends "No thanks, just get me a coke instead" ? I never really had that problem back when I was at uni.

panda100

scouser.tommy wrote:

I'm in a similar situation to you, OP. Going into 3rd year at UCD but I'm just not feelin' the whole drinking scene anymore. Which unfortunately means I do less and less socialising with my mates from college. I've had alcohol just once in the last seven months, come to think of it. That was when I was obliged to come out for my friend's birthday.

Anyway, the point is; I've found it effortless to drink less and less, because I never particularly enjoyed doing it and yeah, the next day is invariably horrible. I'm sure if I enjoyed it I would keep doing it.

It's hard to not drink once already out with one's friends. Before you know it someone has brought you back a pint from the bar and you feel obliged. So what seems to have caused me to drink less has been to stop going on alcohol-based outings, etc. Good luck with that, anyway

The badge on the jacket seems like a solid idea.

Im in fouth year in UCD.:) Gonna try to organise a few alcohol free nights out with the welfare office there.
Have thought about starting a pioneer group in UCD cos there isnt one but I think even the name 'pioneer' will put people off and they'll think its some religous nut thing.

L31mr0d

ned78 wrote:

Didn't Jesus turn Water into Wine? Didn't Monks create beer? Don't priests drink every Sunday in front of their congregation? Alcohol isn't bad. It's excess that's bad. Don't become a Pioneer for misguided religious reasons. It's quite alright to have a beer every now and again, one of life's simple pleasures. Just don't do the whole Glutany thing.

Proverbs 20:1 - " Wine is a ridiculer, intoxicating liquor is boisterous, and everyone going astray by it is not wise"

It is true that alcohol is allowed in the bible but is also says in Mat 18:8 that "If, then, your hand or your foot is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you..." meaning if you have a thorn in the flesh which is causing you to sin it is better for you to completely remove it then to continue with it. If alchohol is Panda100's thorn, then it is an admirable decision to completely abstain from it.

Wibbs

^^Good explanation of the Christian perspective there L31mr0d. Good advice too. If it's a problem for you stop. Didn't drink myself for years. It's surprisingly easy. Social gatherings can be an issue, especially acting as a taxi for your mates. That said it has much to recommend it. Personally I went for the 2 drink rule after I took it up again. An uncle of mine is a pioneer(and he's no religious nut that's for sure), though he only went that route in his late 30's which would have been a lot easier compared to the temptation on offer as a student. Good luck with it.

lostexpectation

panda100 wrote:

Im in fouth year in UCD.:) Gonna try to organise a few alcohol free nights out with the welfare office there.
Have thought about starting a pioneer group in UCD cos there isnt one but I think even the name 'pioneer' will put people off and they'll think its some religous nut thing.

can't you organise nights out and never mention the lack of alcohol?

panda100

panda100 wrote:

Thats the thing Im not doing it for religous reasons really.Im doing it cos even if I have a couple of drinks I fell rotten the next day and next year in college money will be tight.I really just drink it cos everyone else is having a few scoops.I want to give it up really for health reasons as even three pints of bulmers gives me a roaring headache the next day and Im good fun (i think ) with or without drink in me.
I just dont have the willpower to just give it up by myself and beoming a pioneer will give me that extra push I need to give it up and Id feel sort of bad if I backed out of it cos Ive made a pact with God.

When I go out, I have soft drinks or more often, just water. I almost never drink. Precepts are a part of it, but mostly I don't drink because it's expensive, there's no point, and I dislike the taste of most drinks.
Do you really have to drink because everyone around you is? (I'm asking this out of curiosity) Most people know by now I don't drink and it's not an issue, and let me tell you some of the best nights out I've had (and a houseparty) I was completely sober.

It's hard to not drink once already out with one's friends. Before you know it someone has brought you back a pint from the bar and you feel obliged.

So you say no thanks I don't drink anymore. They're not going to pour it over your head just because you said no. And if they're mates, they'll be understanding about it.

pbsuxok1znja4r

Yeah, thanks, I'm fully aware of how my own mates will or will not react to my refusing a drink. Like I said, I've already got it sorted. It's not a problem.

UU

Actually my grandfather who is 80 has been a pioneer for almost 20 years now as it affected his help. Also, my friend who is 18 like me has never touched a drop of alcohol in his life before. I completely respect his strong decision even when others in my class sorta peer pressure him to drink which is wrong.

As for me, well I don't drink much at all. I totally know my limit. I'll only drink something I like and only have about two drinks in one night. I go for the whole French style thing where I might have a glass of good wine with a meal. I respect alcohol, I don't abuse it. I don't like the cost of alcohol, the health problems from abuse of it and the whole Irish "Lets go out and get ourselves plastered!" Where they don't remember anything and might do something completely foolish.

And yes that happened to me where I told my whole class I was gay. I would have prefered to keep it personal but I was under the influence of booze. Remember: Be in control, don't let alcohol control you.

OP, I wish you luck on becoming a pioneer. That is a huge sacrifice in relation to socialising. It shows strength and willpower. But don't just do it for your god but for yourself too. Have people who will support you and your decision.

Good Luck!