Opinions on Heavy Drinking?

[Captain_Pancreas]

You have one life, live it how you feel fit. Until you start harming others it's not really their business. We all die in the end anyway. And really, quoting one or two stories about 'how this one guy drank too much and then threw up and he's an ass', that doesn't prove anything. It's like saying that alternative medicine works cos of that one guy who had a cold then went to crystal therapy or something and got better.
In my experience people who are arseholes while drunk are usually arseholes to begin with. Getting so drunk that it makes decent people violent is when its too far, and I completely agree that's a stupid idea. I can be social sober or drunk and have a good time, but having a bit of alcohol does help you relax, its about balancing the line, and having fun with friends. Laughing at silly stuff and making memories, if you can't remember the memories, then you've had too much, I've stepped that line several times, and I've regretted it. Those of you who get high and mighty about being T-total, tbh most of you are arseholes in person
The kind of person who just kills everyone else's fun by judging them for drinking and who try to start serious conversations at parties to sound intelligent. There's a time and place for clever conversations, the time when people drink is usually the time they want to relax and have a laugh, doesn't mean they don't also enjoy those conversations at other times or that those conversations are any less worthwhile.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Then you know an extremely small cross section of alcohol users.

Of course. Did I ever say that every alcohol user is like that? No, no I did not, as I'm one myself. That'd be silly, generalizing myself with a group of people I can't stand.

Where exactly do you live? Because different cultures have different approaches to alcohol. Here in the UK, it's pretty much a fundamental piece of the social jigsaw. And to look down on people who take advantage of that is sad in it's own right.

And one guy with social ineptitude doesn't constitute a decent example.

In rural Holland. I wasn't just talking about that one guy either, he's just my most recent and most prominent example. But the majority of youths in my own area are like that, it's the ruling mindset, that a party without excessive amounts of alcohol is just incredibly dull, that you can't have fun with friends without booze.

Again, I'm not making a point myself, I'm just pointing out how most kids think around here.

I would go so far as to say alcohol has helped me tremendously. Socially and mentally. It's very well possible I would have gotten over that depressive state without it, but I certainly would be just as bored at parties to this day if it wasn't for the ethanol.

Heh, you know that, technically, alcohol is a depressant, right? Really, for your own sake; don't start depending on it. Bad shit happens when you do. [http://www.cracked.com/article_18824_5-things-nobody-tells-you-about-quitting-drinking.html]

 

[Captain_Pancreas]

Heh, you know that, technically, alcohol is a depressant, right? Really, for your own sake; don't start depending on it. Bad shit happens when you do. [http://www.cracked.com/article_18824_5-things-nobody-tells-you-about-quitting-drinking.html]

Not to be pedantic but depressant doesn't mean it makes you depressed. It means it slows down your bodies processes.

 

[Jonluw]

I would go so far as to say alcohol has helped me tremendously. Socially and mentally. It's very well possible I would have gotten over that depressive state without it, but I certainly would be just as bored at parties to this day if it wasn't for the ethanol.

Heh, you know that, technically, alcohol is a depressant, right? Really, for your own sake; don't start depending on it. Bad shit happens when you do. [http://www.cracked.com/article_18824_5-things-nobody-tells-you-about-quitting-drinking.html]

Not to worry. I'm far from John Cheese.
It's normally weeks between each time I drink.
Well, since it's normally weeks between each time I go to a party or such, but whatever.

 

[Encentrik]

Then you know an extremely small cross section of alcohol users.

Of course. Did I ever say that every alcohol user is like that? No, no I did not, as I'm one myself. That'd be silly, generalizing myself with a group of people I can't stand.

Where exactly do you live? Because different cultures have different approaches to alcohol. Here in the UK, it's pretty much a fundamental piece of the social jigsaw. And to look down on people who take advantage of that is sad in it's own right.

And one guy with social ineptitude doesn't constitute a decent example.

In rural Holland. I wasn't just talking about that one guy either, he's just my most recent and most prominent example. But the majority of youths in my own area are like that, it's the ruling mindset, that a party without excessive amounts of alcohol is just incredibly dull, that you can't have fun with friends without booze.

Again, I'm not making a point myself, I'm just pointing out how most kids think around here.

It came off exceedingly like an agenda.

I'm just defensive because it wouldn't be the first time I've seen people on this site relate social drinkers to the scum of the earth.

It gets... grating.

Why would they think that? Social drinking isn't bad at all; it's nice. Was at a friends house last week; we drank a bit but we were already having fun before that.

 

[Cowabungaa]

It came off exceedingly like an agenda.

I'm just defensive because it wouldn't be the first time I've seen people on this site relate social drinkers to the scum of the earth.

It gets... grating.

Oh, well, it isn't. I really don't actually care as long as they don't push it on me. Sadly they did back in high school, so the kind of people I described leave a bad taste in my mouth, but other than that I have no wish to stop them or anything.

Not to worry. I'm far from John Cheese.
It's normally weeks between each time I drink.
Well, since it's normally weeks between each time I go to a party or such, but whatever.

That's good to hear, but y'know, it has to start somewhere and it wouldn't be the first time someone underestimates the abusive effects of alcohol.

 

[thylasos]

Can someone please explain this to me?

They're 13. They'll grow out of it. I used to drink to the point of physical sickness, whn I first started drinking. As it stands today, I tend not even to drink to the point of feeling drunk.

 

[BabySinclair]

Getting shitfaced doesn't seem like a smart idea to me. Drinking can loosen people up some but if it is being used as a substitute for a lack of fun or is being over- consumed because "that's the point", there is fundamentally something wrong with the individual or gathering. I'm a heavy-weight drinker despite my size, I'm not going to blow a lot of money to hand over my cognizance to have fun in a scenario in which I wouldn't normally, that's just stupid.

 

[Zakarath]

I think its a bit stupid to be honest, and I don't see the point, which is in part due to the fact that I don't really like the sensation of feeling inebriated.

 

[teqrevisited]

Getting so drunk that you fall around is fine. Getting so drunk that you can't speak properly is fine. Throwing up? Know your damn limit...

I wont deny that it's a hell of a load of fun to be absolutely pissed and talking complete bollocks, but you have to know where to stop. I guess it does help that I'm a happy drunk though. It's no fun when people get abusive and smash shit up. That's not what a good night out is about.

 

[Alexi089]

This'll cover most of it:


From my experiences of teenage/ early twenties drunkeness, it can be kinda fun with good friends. Everything feels a bit funnier I guess and some people relax more. As a teenager especially, you're not supposed to get hammered, which makes you want to do it more.

When I was 21, the novelty started to wear off and I realised the cons (wasting the following day recovering/ being over the legal limit to drive for the following morning and the future toll on my body) didn't outweigh the pro's (amplified fun silly night), so I quit. If other people enjoy it, that's fair enough, but I do think more people should plot out on a piece of paper their pros and cons of drinking so they know for sure that they're willing to accept the bad with the fun. Thinking back now though, getting so drunk I couldn't walk straight or remember things clearly the following day wasn't actually particularly fun. And aggressive or extremely attention seeking drunks annoy me tremendoulsy, even when I'm drunk.

One thing that bothers me with drinking is some people seem to use it as a confidence crutch for socialising, which obviously isn't good for their health or self esteem. Now before someone jumps down my throat, I'm not making a blanket statement against drinkers, but you can't deny there are people who do rely on it and should probably look to work on their sober confidence and sense of identity away from drinking.

The last thing that drives me mad about a lot of heavy drinkers (sometimes even just social drinkers) is the worn-out: "You don't drink!? Why don't you drink!?" *asker practically salivates with anticipation, hoping for some juicy gossip*
For the love of christ, consider that some people have different priorities and lifestyle preferences to you. A note to drinkers: Just stop asking this question of non-drinkers, it's not like I bring it up anyway. It gets very annoying the umptenneth time you've heard it; especially if stated like an exclamation, plus it's potentially a very intrusive question. And no. I'm sorry. Alcohol is not an essential part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. If you honestly think it is, you've got many more problems than me. Rant over

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

On the rare occasions that I do drink. I drink a lot.

Pretty much until things start to spin a little, then I slow down. Never thrown up or experienced memory loss from it either.

 

[Grant Hobba]

Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate or dislike people who drink alcohol. I've had it before, not a big fan but I can understand why people drink it to relax. It takes the edge off, makes you less tense, more social etc; I enjoy some wine now and then. What I don't understand are the people who get completely hammered and feeling like complete shit the next day. If they're the type of person who cannot willingly stop when they start drinking, then it's somewhat understandable but I'm talking about the people who go around saying "Let's get wasted!"

I live in Puerto Rico, the age to drink here is 18 but where I live no one cares; 13 year olds are getting wasted every weekend and going to night clubs where they don't belong. What I don't understand is the fun of getting hammered; buzzed or a bit drunk is fine but what is the point of getting so drunk you fall around, throw up, can't talk properly and act like a complete idiot? Then the next day all they do is complain for how horrible they feel.

Can someone please explain this to me?

I personally think anyone under the legal age is just showing off trying to look cool and mature...


I find it hilarious.... they look like morons but what can you do if the laws aren't regulated.... so to that I say... hopefully they all drink themselves to death

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

Get drunk, fuck like an animal, regret it later.

I've done that before. However, heavy drinking with friends is a ton of fun. I can deal with being shitfaced in the morning if it means creating memories that will keep me happy for the next while.

I'm for it if you can handle it. And know when to fucking stop. I've lost a friend who just drank himself dead one night.

[sub][sub]Moo! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9iIgQN5uZE&feature=related][/sub][/sub]

 

[Deadman Walkin]

I find I can have an awesome time sober and an awesome time drunk. I usually end up drinking a little too much but I do really enjoy it. It is more just about stupid fun.

 

[Saltyk]

Last night, I went out and had 5 or 6 beers. I was feeling pretty good. Not drunk, but tipsy. Drunk enough that I gave my keys to a friend telling him that I probably wouldn't be up to driving back home unless we were there for a while. I was at a good level of drunk. Just drunk enough. But when someone I knew offered to buy me a shot since I wasn't driving, I refused. Why? I was good. I didn't want to be drunker than I already was. I was happy at that tipsy state.

Getting shit faced drunk is not fun to me. I've seen far too many people shit faced drunk. And if you think the hang over is bad, you should see yourself when you're shitfaced. Your not cool, funny, or interesting. You're just obnoxious, stupid, and annoying. At best. At worst, you're trying to punch something or someone or causing a scene of some sort.

 

[Encentrik]

Well I'm heading out to a party next Saturday; so I think I'll have a couple more beers than usual. I'm young, time to live life a bit more but I won't go overboard; I know my limit, so a couple more beers shouldn't be too bad.

I'm in no way saying that alcohol is needed to be more social; for some it helps. I can have a good time without it but might as well try having a few more to see what it's like. Only young once right?

 

[FaceFaceFace]

So, what I'm gathering from social drinkers on here is, you drink to:

A) Stop thinking and just go with the flow

B) Have fun at parties where, because you don't know anyone, you couldn't have fun otherwise

Reasonable enough, I guess, but now I know I'm not missing anything. I have no desire to stop thinking (except when I'm trying to sleep) and I have no desire to interact with large groups of people I don't know, drunk or not.

 

[Darh Abdomino]

I believe in drink and let drink. I don't drink, cause, you know, minor, but I don't plan on being some drunk loon in college that's drinking away his scholarship. But those people who drink to be sociable or to have a good time, and just go a little overboard, I have no issue with. As long as they don't hurt or damage anything/one, and they don't expect me to be nice about it.
I play trumpet, and one of my plans, if I have a roommate who drinks too much (read: annoys me), is to practice Reveille and Ode to Joy the next morning.

 

[DonMartin]

I'll just refer to a A Bit Of Fry and Laurie sketch in which Stephen is a tobacco salesman posing as a doctor. The sketch goes on, and Hugh eventually says the following about cholesterol:

"Ah yes, but too much is bad for you."

To which Stephen replies:

"Of course it's bad for you! Too much of anything is bad for you, you blithering twat!"


On a more personal note, I only drink to take the edge off nowadays. After a stressful day at work or just to relax. One or two is usually enough.