Young people and drinking.

Ghostbusthat

I have toyed with the idea of giving up drinking for over a year or so now. Every time I haven't drank for a while, I have of course ended up going back to it. I think this time though i've really had enough of it. I don't have a drinking problem, however with a history of alcohol abuse on both sides of my family I feel as though it wouldn't take a whole lot for me to develop one.
I'm in my early 20s and as you all know, life at this age (for the majority) revolves around getting as drunk as humanly possible. I've realised that this isn't what I want my life to be, and the road to alcoholism is not one I want to take.
Anyway the main thing that I want to ask, is how do you go about dealing with people who question and interrogate you for not drinking? I've found that anytime i've gone to a party/pub and have not been drinking people seem to have an issue with it.

Carpet diem

I'm like yourself only a few days into it but determined to make it happen THIS time. I plan to stay away from pubs/drinking environments for at least a month.
And to answer your question on how I will deal with people - I'll just say I'll ring them the next morning to tell them why!
Best of luck with sobriety :-)

GRMA

I just stopped going OP, I found them very boring when I had no drink on me... I started doing things in the evening, going to museums, tours, gallerys, films, plays etc instead, might sound a bit dry but tbh I'm much happier, more money, less regrets, no hangovers and its done wonders for my self esteem as well as health

I also havnt found any problems meeting women as I thought I might avoiding the club scene, I've just met a different type of woman, so I wouldnt worry on that front if thats an issue..... many women find it a big positive


I'm the same age(ish) as you OP the trick is to stop caring what people think, but an idea might be to say you are on antibiotics and cant drink

coleen

A friend of mine went off drink and when asked she said she has developed an allergy to it and it seemed to work for her she is very happy with her decision Good luck with it

Gi joe!

I'm in my early twenties also and in the last two months have seriously cut down on my drinking. The main reason being for my mental health, bad hangovers and depression simply don't mix. I'm also doing as part of a fitness regime(which is going pretty damn well as a result!)

I still would have a bit to be honest, but we're talking a couple of bottles of beer
or a glass or two of wine once a week or every two weeks.

No one's really given me trouble for it, I can be quite confrontational when I want to be so am not afraid stand my ground. If people do hassle you, you may find it easier just to say you have an allergy or are on medication.

One issue I do have now is with the opposite sex, I've never realised until now just how dependent I was on alcohol for that 'liquid courage.' Going to take some getting used to!

Whatever you decide to do op, do it for yourself and no one else. If anyone gives you sh1t for such an insignificant part of life, tell them where to go. Best of luck with it!

xim2

i gave alcohol recent enough over a year ! im also on my 20's (close to 30's now...) and i can see where you are coming from with people not understanding your decision, i must say first months are hard but is like a muscle more you practice the stronger it gets. i used to care and worried of what my work colleagues would say of me for not drinking now i dont care and they got used to it and no longer press me! regarding the opposite sex is so much easier if you meet someone who doesn't drink either....im lucky as i met a special one in this meetup site that happens to do dont drink too makes weekends easier to spend as i don't have to be out in the pub ....

toastedpickles

Ghostbusthat wrote: »

I have toyed with the idea of giving up drinking for over a year or so now. Every time I haven't drank for a while, I have of course ended up going back to it. I think this time though i've really had enough of it. I don't have a drinking problem, however with a history of alcohol abuse on both sides of my family I feel as though it wouldn't take a whole lot for me to develop one.
I'm in my early 20s and as you all know, life at this age (for the majority) revolves around getting as drunk as humanly possible. I've realised that this isn't what I want my life to be, and the road to alcoholism is not one I want to take.
Anyway the main thing that I want to ask, is how do you go about dealing with people who question and interrogate you for not drinking? I've found that anytime i've gone to a party/pub and have not been drinking people seem to have an issue with it.

For the majority yeah it is, and it's pretty sad if you ask me I'm 21 and I've never drank and yeah people slag me over it but the way I look at it is, I have money to go out and do actual things that are pretty fun, and best of all, I can remember every bit of it and not wonder have I made an arse of myself

Also when people try force drink on you, just say you're the driver and you can't drink, works a charm, if you don't drive just tell them you're doing something in the morning or something, it gets easier after a while

Like on extreme ends people won't want to know you anymore because you don't drink, but screw them, that's their problem not yours, I once had a guy who was footless try to fight me because I don't drink, most people don't give two ****s to be honest, just cut down on going out all the time and take up a sport or something new and you'l be grand

666irishguy

I've layed off it big time too. Same thing every weekend. Tried going out sober and didn't like the vibe at all. To be honest I think you are safer drunk if you are out as you are less conspicuous especially in a chipper packed to the brim with drunken idiots.

feargale

Ghostbusthat wrote: »

Anyway the main thing that I want to ask, is how do you go about dealing with people who question and interrogate you for not drinking? I've found that anytime i've gone to a party/pub and have not been drinking people seem to have an issue with it.

One way is to tell them you will drink what they are having, beer or whatever, on condition that they will drink what you are having, Ballygowan or whatever. What kind of asoles wont allow a person to drink what they fancy, be it beer or Ballygowan? One thing is certain - they are not worth knowing.

Ghostbusthat

Sorry i've been so slow at replying! Thanks everyone for the advice, it's good to hear about it from other people's perspectives. I've not been drinking for (nearly) the last two months and so far anyway it's been the right decision for me. @toastedpickles i'm taking up running on Tuesday so that should be something to focus on.

toastedpickles

Ghostbusthat wrote: »

Sorry i've been so slow at replying! Thanks everyone for the advice, it's good to hear about it from other people's perspectives. I've not been drinking for (nearly) the last two months and so far anyway it's been the right decision for me. @toastedpickles i'm taking up running on Tuesday so that should be something to focus on.

Good man, keep up the good work, it's worth it in the long run (no pun intended)

geraldishere

purchase a decent steroid cycle commit to it for 8-16 weeks it will help you stay off the drink..and youll be ripped/huge banging everything

thank me later

Ghostbusthat

I won't be going down the steroid route but thanks anyway.

Mugatuu

I've just turned 20 recently and the stick I get from not drinking is pathetic! I get slagged for being boring and "dry" which gets old after a while! Having come out the better side of rag week I can say I'm honestly so happy I don't drink! I don't like all the drama, tears and crap that goes along with it in college. Its such a shame to see some of my friends turn into absolute messes when they have alcohol in them! And like another poster mentioned there is a long history of alcoholism in my family.

GRMA

You should watch Des Bishops new show on RTE, its all on the player.

"Under the influence"

I think it was a great show and certainly spoke to me and gave encouragement.

Ghostbusthat

I've been watching it. Thought it was really brave that someone was actually willing to challenge this country's attitude to alcohol.

tatumkelly

I'm mid 20s and am always questioned on my reasons for not drinking. I am always shocked at the number of people who assume I don't drink because one of my parents must be an alcoholic.

I'm perfectly happy to be a non drinker, I don't understand why others have such an issue with it.

lycan238

in my mid-20's myself never touched a drop don't get questioned on why any more can go to pubs and nightclubs and have a good night of it. As someone else mentioned the next day I remember everything that happened. In fact a couple of years ago I was on a float in the local St Patricks Day parade that was themed on people going out and getting drunk. Got some good feedback on the float as well.

Ghostbusthat

Quick update. Drank about 2 weeks ago and it was a terrible decision, waste of money. Really confirmed it for me. Onwards and upwards!

Siuin

If I hear from another foreigner "ho ho you're a bad/broken/weird Irish person" for not drinking ONE MORE TIME, I swear...!!!

lycan238

As a lifetime member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and a wearer of the lifetime pin the majority of people actually congratulate me for not drinking and state that they could never do it. I used to disagree with them stating that the word impossible is two letters to long etc but at this stage I have given up trying to convince people of this. If anyone reads this and thinks they can't do it then all I have so say is give it a go.

Siuin

lycan238 wrote: »

As a lifetime member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and a wearer of the lifetime pin the majority of people actually congratulate me for not drinking and state that they could never do it. I used to disagree with them stating that the word impossible is two letters to long etc but at this stage I have given up trying to convince people of this. If anyone reads this and thinks they can't do it then all I have so say is give it a go.

While I congratulate you on your commitment, I really don't see the need for anyone to join the pioneers unless they want to associate their decision to not drink with the Catholic Church for whatever reason (which, lets face it, the majority of young people won't).

lycan238

I joined the pioneers as my father and a good few members of my family are also members. My decision to join was not based on the links between the PTAA and the Catholic Church at all more so on the upbringing I had and attendance at many Pioneer functions. To this day I attend functions either with my father or alone if he does not want to go.

Siuin

lycan238 wrote: »

I joined the pioneers as my father and a good few members of my family are also members. My decision to join was not based on the links between the PTAA and the Catholic Church at all more so on the upbringing I had and attendance at many Pioneer functions. To this day I attend functions either with my father or alone if he does not want to go.

It's great that they provide a non-drinking atmosphere to socialise in- I just wish that secular organisations could be formed to do the same without the religious dogma.

feargale

lycan238 wrote: »

As a lifetime member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and a wearer of the lifetime pin the majority of people actually congratulate me for not drinking and state that they could never do it. I used to disagree with them stating that the word impossible is two letters to long etc but at this stage I have given up trying to convince people of this. If anyone reads this and thinks they can't do it then all I have so say is give it a go.

Well done to you. I am neither Catholic nor teetotal, but I respect those who are, and you don't owe any apologies for being either, whether you are in a majority in Malta or a minority in China. I have seen too much excessive drinking to like it, especially when it's messy or aggressive.

feargale

Siuin wrote: »

It's great that they provide a non-drinking atmosphere to socialise in- I just wish that secular organisations could be formed to do the same without the religious dogma.

A.A. goes halfway to filling that need. I'd be surprised if tgere isn't some organisation on the same lies as the Pioneers.