Non drinkers and reasons behind it

[GingerMidget]

So I was wondering how many on here don't drink alcohol, and the reasons behind it.

I'm talking from a previous alcohol abuse point, and why people decide to stop or are pushed in to doing so.

What do the sober among us do at a social gathering where drinking is expected? Like birthday things etc.

Its my birthday in a couple of weeks, and I've decided I'm sober. After the hangover this morning, its long over due. My dumb ass ex used to take great pride in telling me I had a drinking problem. I hate it when he's right.

[Lelitu]

I've never actually abused alcohol
but I did decide to stop drinking entirely after christmas(or newyears) 2010
Mostly becuase I don't particularly like the taste, and I don't like being drunk
so there really isn't much point.

I've got little issue with ignoring social convention, so if I'm in a place where drinking is
expected, I'll still not drink alcoholic drinks. Generally just have a coke, and let people assume there's rum in it.

[bogan]

If you've decided to give up drinking, then thats what you do at gatherings where it is expected. Show some conviction, and give the reasons, most people will accept them no worries, and those that don't are not worth worrying about.

I've had brutal hangovers, and often feel pretty sick after only a couple, had a big gut illness a few years ago and not been too alcohol tolerant since. So recently decided not to bother with it anymore, can still have good times, and being sober for riding/diving is good, missing out on drinking games is about the only time I actually feel left out for not drinking.

I just grab a red bull or something, blend in pretty well that way.

[EJK]

Never was big fan of alcohol (the taste especially). I'm generally physically weak with alcohol.

Coke, V or red bull are my good substitutes.

[gonzo_akl]

I've never actually abused alcohol
but I did decide to stop drinking entirely after christmas(or newyears) 2010
Mostly becuase I don't particularly like the taste, and I don't like being drunk
so there really isn't much point.

I've got little issue with ignoring social convention, so if I'm in a place where drinking is
expected, I'll still not drink alcoholic drinks. Generally just have a coke, and let people assume there's rum in it.

This pretty much sums up my situation - just stopped drinking around october 2010 - not long after I got knocked off my bike on the way home from work - I hadn't been drinking but I was tired and not paying enough attention so that and the fact that I'm not getting any younger - figured I'd slow down the spread for as long as possible. Haven't said that I've given up for ever - but I'm not in any hurry to start again.

I still regularly meet my friends after work in various bars around the ponsonby area - I just drink lime and soda. A number of the bars don't actually charge for it.

Upside is i generally feel better for not drinking - downside is that my jokes aren't as funny as I thought they were.

as for social convention - their problem not mine.

cheers

[Brian d marge]

you lot may have gueesed from my posts , that I am a screamiing alcholic ..I am ...( technically is called a functioning alcholic) ..abuse alchol! I dress it up in a japanese schoolgirls uniform , and spank its little arse with a stick of celery .......

so

I fk up sometimes and it will probably kill me , and the wife would rather i didnt .......

but I like drinking . Its my hobby . I enjoy my hobby , I brew beer , make whiskey and abuse my body ...ride bikes , crash bike , design bikes, build bikes .( while drunk and listening to awesome sounds ) , in fact its my happy place , nice wine , good sounds ( twas slayer this morning) and either cad , or cutting ..... life just doesnt get any better

right now , perving, drinking cheap shit and running a part through FEA ........( well , not quite , actually perving , drinking and kb,ing )


I dont know what it is like to be dry and am interested in the responses....!


Stephen aka that pervert in the orange tights

[GingerMidget]

Thanks guys. I'm sick of being hungover. I'm sick of injuries taking longer to heal.

I suffer chronic insomnia, and drinking means I sleep. Its also time to cut out coffee again, because due to the insomnia, I drink a ridiculous amount of it, and energy drinks.

My stupid ex's reasoning that my drinking was a problem, was I'd drink until I was numb and couldn't feel anymore. My way of running from our problems. Unfortunately that didn't stop after we broke up. Then I stacked my mountain bike again, and it was one of the reasons I started drinking more.

Thanks for the lime+soda trick. I'll try that next time I'm out

[Motu]

I've given up alcohol several times for longish lengths of time....and it's always a monetary thing - given the choice of spending what little money I have on booze or bike, I pick bike. Someone else pays for the beer, I'll drink it.

[Brian d marge]

Thanks guys. I'm sick of being hungover. I'm sick of injuries taking longer to heal.

I suffer chronic insomnia, and drinking means I sleep. Its also time to cut out coffee again, because due to the insomnia, I drink a ridiculous amount of it, and energy drinks.

My stupid ex's reasoning that my drinking was a problem, was I'd drink until I was numb and couldn't feel anymore. My way of running from our problems. Unfortunately that didn't stop after we broke up. Then I stacked my mountain bike again, and it was one of the reasons I started drinking more.

Thanks for the lime+soda trick. I'll try that next time I'm out

been the lime and soda ...doesnt work . they do some wonderful non alcholic drinks , beer Asahi dry zero alc ...BUT the pink floyd song! ( comfortably numb) i understand where you are coming from...

and the problem is?

IF its destroying you life ..yes ......but if you get by , is it a problem? ( remember this IS an alcholic talking) ... if you take care of business and aint a cunt when drinking i dont see a problem , we all screw up sometimes ,

Stephen
Profeessor in social sobriety, english division , P.I.S.S.E.D

[munster]

Mmmm, this requires some thought.

I sleep better without alcohol, but I love a drink. Not every night, but a cold beer after mowing lawns for example is nectar of the gods to me.

I've several friends who don't drink, for some it's a religous thing (Mormon - yes they can have non Mormon friends), past alcoholic abuse issues, or even one who grew up in a commune and was regularly plied with alcohol then sexually abused, some just choose not to.

I don't care, I don't chose mates on the basis if they drink or not, I accept them for who they are and they in turn accept me.

Friends don't judge friends!

[GingerMidget]

The problem with my drinking, is I stop caring, and do unsafe things. I do things I wouldn't do sober. In december I broke my foot jumping a fairly high fence. Sobered up and realised something was wrong. I was home early last night, and it wasn't pretty. My hangover this morning was fairly nasty too.

I feel pressured to drink around other people to fit in, but I can't stop. Its like I know my limits, but see above about stopping the caring.

Drink because depressed, depressed because drink.

[The Lone Rider]

Has anyone else mentioned the cost of drinking booze? Take away that and smoking and we have a more financially secure populace I reckon.

Unless you're buying bottles from petrol station, water is free and ooo so good.

[rachprice]

Never was big fan of alcohol (the taste especially). I'm generally physically weak with alcohol.

Coke, V or red bull are my good substitutes.

Genetic unfortunately my dear..... a proportion of the asian population are lacking in the enzyme that converts aldehyde to an acid, the aldehyde is what makes you flushed and vomit. On top of that they have an over active alcohol dehydrogenase which converts alcohol to aldehyde faster which means you get less of the good and more of that bad!

you lot may have gueesed from my posts , that I am a screamiing alcholic ..I am ...( technically is called a functioning alcholic) ..abuse alchol! I dress it up in a japanese schoolgirls uniform , and spank its little arse with a stick of celery .......

so

I fk up sometimes and it will probably kill me , and the wife would rather i didnt .......

but I like drinking . Its my hobby . I enjoy my hobby , I brew beer , make whiskey and abuse my body ...ride bikes , crash bike , design bikes, build bikes .( while drunk and listening to awesome sounds ) , in fact its my happy place , nice wine , good sounds ( twas slayer this morning) and either cad , or cutting ..... life just doesnt get any better

right now , perving, drinking cheap shit and running a part through FEA ........( well , not quite , actually perving , drinking and kb,ing )


I dont know what it is like to be dry and am interested in the responses....!


Stephen aka that pervert in the orange tights

been the lime and soda ...doesnt work . they do some wonderful non alcholic drinks , beer Asahi dry zero alc ...BUT the pink floyd song! ( comfortably numb) i understand where you are coming from...

and the problem is?

IF its destroying you life ..yes ......but if you get by , is it a problem? ( remember this IS an alcholic talking) ... if you take care of business and aint a cunt when drinking i dont see a problem , we all screw up sometimes ,

Stephen
Profeessor in social sobriety, english division , P.I.S.S.E.D

And you! You just make me laugh....I understand what you say, I probably drink a lot to most peoples standards but I LOVE wine, I went to bordeaux in france just because I love their wine. Beer has grown on me....I know I have to be careful though, NZ has a rather bad drinking culture adn studying in Dunedin!

[Winston001]

Genetic unfortunately my dear..... a proportion of the asian population are lacking in the enzyme that converts aldehyde to an acid, the aldehyde is what makes you flushed and vomit.

Acetaldehyde to be accurate. Close relation of formaldehyde - the stuff used to preserve deceased bodies.

FYI the treatment Antabuse works by retaining the acetaldehyde in your body instead of it being synthesised into acetic acid radicals. It is a poison and no surprise we feel crook after drinking.

Rach makes a good point - a proportion of Asians have Antabuse hardwired into their DNA which makes alcohol difficult for them. Australian aboriginals too.

[Brian d marge]

Acetaldehyde to be accurate. Close relation of formaldehyde - the stuff used to preserve deceased bodies.

FYI the treatment Antabuse works by retaining the acetaldehyde in your body instead of it being synthesised into acetic acid radicals. It is a poison and no surprise we feel crook after drinking.

Rach makes a good point - a proportion of Asians have Antabuse hardwired into their DNA which makes alcohol difficult for them. Australian aboriginals too.

Dont want any of that stuff then,, though I do have antihighabusa , but thats a suzuki thing and isnt terminal

Stephen