I am only 31 years old! Drinking has ruined my life.
Posted on 02/25/2002 9:00:22 AM PST by The American
I don't have any hilarious or ridiculous stories about things I've done while being drunk. Truth be told, I don't have any stories about drunken shenanigans, period. And I never will. I know this because I am part of the small minority of college students who don't drink alcohol. That's right, I'm one of "those" -- and I'm not afraid to admit it.
Out of all the people I've met on campus, I can only name three other students who share this quality. They are all fairly quiet about their decision, but I'm not. Being open about my choice often makes me an object of ridicule, but that's alright, I can take it. And I'll continue to take it, because I'm not about to change.
Whenever people learn that I do not drink alcohol, they rarely say, "That's great, I respect your decision." Rather, the common response is, "Why?" Well, let me first say that I am over 21, so it's not due to fear of the law. My religion does not restrict me from drinking alcohol either, nor am I a recovering alcoholic. I decided on my own accord to refrain from drinking, and the decision wasn't even that difficult to make.
There are many reasons why I don't drink. Maybe it's a subconscious reaction to what happened to one of my relatives. Granted, I never met the man; he wasn't exactly close to me on the family tree. He was an alcoholic, but he turned his life around and even helped others overcome their alcohol addictions. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, my completely-sober relative was killed by a drunk driver. This story has affected me in ways I only now realize.
Then there was the day in chemistry class when the substitute teacher split us into teams to complete a worksheet. A few minutes before the bell rang, I noticed a crowd gathering around the group next to mine. One of my "friends" was impersonating my father as a drunk. I sat and watched in disbelief, a deer caught in the headlights. My dad never had a drinking problem -- heck, he hardly ever touches the stuff -- but since my dad's family is Irish, that was apparently reason enough to characterize him as an alcoholic. I was extremely hurt. To this day, I've never felt lower than I did during that class.
The biggest reason I don't drink alcohol has to do with control. I don't want any drug to change the way I act. The Matt you see at Monday's lecture will be the same Matt you see on Friday night. So what if I'll never be the life of the party? Surprise surprise, I can have a good time without drinking. True, it won't be nearly as wild or crazy as the experiences of somebody who tossed back a few beers, but I'm okay with that.
But don't assume that, because I don't drink alcohol, I despise everyone who does. Not the case. I don't run home to hide under my bedcovers when my friends order a beer or two. When my friends decide to go to Mardi Gras or a drinking contest, I don't hate or disown them. I usually suggest an activity where the center of attention isn't a keg, but if that doesn't work, I tell them to be careful. We sober people aren't the party-poopers we're made out to be.
Some people might wonder why I'm writing about my choice to abstain from alcohol. This column obviously is not a veiled attempt to convince drinkers that liquor is evil. No, I'm telling my story to show that there are students who choose to be sober, that you can enjoy college without drinking. And I'm telling my story so that those who choose to drink will respect the decisions of those who choose not to.
The last few times I dared suggest the lives of college students should not revolve around alcohol, I got hammered ... by swarms of vulgar emails and nasty phone messages. It wouldn't surprise me if the same thing happens again this time. If you want act like a child, calling me names or threatening to beat me up, go ahead. I'm proud of my decision, and there's nothing anybody can say or do to make me feel otherwise.
And THAT is what makes him a dislikable, obnoxious, self-rightous jackass twit, not the fact that he chooses not to drink.
I only have two!
I think I'll help him out with that. Wouldn't want to disappoint the smug little brat.
"Not I" said the Conspirator. ;-)
Can't be done. Maybe we should consider an event where no one is injured as a successful and responsible example.
G.K. Chesterton had one of the best words of advice regarding the consumption of alcohol: don't drink alone and don't drink in the hopes that alcohol will make you happy. Drink only with others and when you are already in a pleasant mood.
Finally, drink in moderation accompanied by a meal: 2, at most 3, glasses over the course of a meal lasting 2 hours or so.
Follow these simple rules (add your own!!) and you will share in one of the great pleasures of civilization.
Christ kid, live a little.
And it is only if you continue to try it after thirty that God says "continuing to do this will cause you great pain".
Be young while you can I say!
By the way, my first-year college roommate was the foulest, smelliest behemoth with horrible b.o., and a drinking problem. One night he vomited into his pillow and threw it across the room. I slept down in the common area that night, and when my R.A. came back to the dorm I told her about what he had done. She did nothing on my behalf, claiming that smelling alcohol on him was insufficient evidence. I was threatened by him that everyone in the dorm would turn against me if I filed a complaint. I backed down. Some battles aren't worth fighting. But I STILL didn't let them turn me into a drunk. I won that battle. Now I am older and more mature, I think I can try drinking in moderation. I hate beer, though. Don't ask me why, I just don't care for it. I'm visiting Australia in six weeks, where I'm told the beer is much better than in the U.S. Is this true, or just national bias?
I only have two!
There are only a few things I don't remember concerning my college drinking days: 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985.
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