To wonder why the young people don't enjoy drinking alcohol

Along with many of the factors already given like culture shifts, pubs and clubs closing, more IDing, price, parents and community spaces not involving alcohol so much, a lot more discussion on the risks and harm prevention, other forms of self-medication, there is also a growing number of employers that have anti-drug policies that include alcohol. My 20 year old's contract allows for random drug tests and anything positive or things like showing up hungover or getting any trouble involving alcohol and it's considered a breach of contract and gross misconduct, so yeah, the kind of shite my parents got away with would mean my son lose everything he's worked for and at this point would still need to repay training fees. He just doesn't view it as worth it.

I chose not to drink because my parents and many others in the heavy drinking community I come from were utterly irresponsible with it - it's not fun or rebellious or mysterious when the adults around you use drugs to excess and think it's funny to spike kids' drinks.. And yes, I have tried talking with my birth community about alcohol-free childhoods and their importance. There has been strong evidence that early exposure raises risks for children in families with addictions for over twenty years now, wider population is a bit weaker, but that's why those recommendations have been coming out over the years (the UK has had it for over a decade). I have actually gotten some good discussions and a few apologies over it, though some have enough Midwest petty that just makes them want to drink and use other drugs more.

True. It doesn’t always have to be smoked though and the mental illness link is misunderstood. It can trigger it in those who are predisposed. In most cases, if it wasn’t triggered by weed, it would eventually be triggered by a stressful event.

The negative fall out from alcohol is far greater.

Ignore the evidence and feed alcohol to your 15 year old. It's your life and we live in a free country.

Are you saying that because British people follow a Mediterranean diet too? (Genuinely heavily laced sarcasm)

“Vehemently chosen to give up alcohol “ ???? “destructive mindset and way of living “
Really 🤔
I like the taste of many alcoholic drinks and used to enjoy a glass of wine but simply got to a point I can’t tolerate it .
Possibly to do with the histamine ??
I have never been much of a drinker anyway so I’m fine really , sometimes get just water with a evening meal out or on a summer evening I might mix up some Seedlip with tonic and cucumber slices .
At a lunch out I might have water and finish the meal with a coffee ☕️

Weed still carries the associated smoking risks, plus possible mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It's common place now, school kids are walking home smoking it in some areas. And having spoken to some young family members, there uni experience involved drinking, plus ket and cocaine.

I'm 21 and I absolutely detest alcohol now. I used to drink heavily and be right as rain the next day, but I stopped about a year ago as every time I drink I end up vomiting, feeling like crap and feeling even worse the next day. It's a waste of money at this point as it's more suffering than anything else.

Most young people are now prioritising mental health and self-care, which I think is a great change from stumbling around making an idiot of yourself and regretting it the next day. It's something we should be celebrating rather than questioning.

I've never liked it, and other than trying a few sips of wine and beer as an experiment, I've never drank alcohol in my life. And I've had ( and have) plenty of fun!!

You just have to get used to not needing a crutch to enjoy yourself, or to increase your self- confidence. Nobody likes alcohol first try, but peer pressure often makes people keep trying.

I know quite a few young people who stay away from it because they've seen their parents drink too much all their lives. One of them said to me recently : ' I've seen my mother relax with a glass of wine, and only with a glass of wine, since I was a child. She needs wine to deal with everything and anything, good or bad. I don't want that for myself."

Other just want a healthy lifestyle, I guess.

"The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend an alcohol-free childhood as the best and safest option. Research is clear that not allowing any alcohol before aged 18 is the best way to reduce the long term risk of problem drinking or physical or mental harm."

It's just fashion, it'll swing back round again

I was recently talking to my Gen z colleagues about uni and recalled a time when I was a fresher (20 years ago) where everyone got a wristband with tabs on it for shots of vodka for 10p!
It just wouldn't happen now.
It's a good thing.

I think about things I did like walking the streets on my own skimpily dressed at 3am in the morning drunk 😬
I hope DD doesn't do it 🙈

Gen X and Millennials cained it too much when they were young (i include myself in this).
Gen Z aren't as interested and prefer different things. Social media, influencers, Instagram, all the entertainment at their finger tips.

The world has changed in quite a short period. We didn't have the internet and netflix like they do now when we were young.
I also think things skip a generation. If your parents think something is cool you're quite likely to want to do the opposite.

There's a lot more for young people to do nowadays that doesn't involve alcohol.

alcohol is an aquired taste, and if you haven't aquired the taste, it aint broke, don't fix it.
I love a bit of alcohol. I do drink too much. I'd never imply someone is weird for not having got into it, just think that it's their choice and I'm not going to judge them. just like I never got into smoking (it always disgusted me, so I never tried it) and I'm glad it's becoming really rare.

if you don't get into something, you won't miss it. if, culturally, the younger generations are less inclined to get into addictive and damaging substances, good for them.

I think that depends where you are and what you look like. DS has been served in pubs around here since he was 14. Though only ever had 1 pint before the match even then.

More of them take drugs

It's harder to buy underaged these days

There's no pubs would serve them

I had to go to pub or house party to socialise when I was young and there was always alcohol. No online gaming or SM as a way to socialise from home.

They don't want drunk videos of themselves online forever.

My 15yo got tipsy on peach schnapps and apple sourz this weekend. She's allowed to drink at home or with friends at social events within reason. A lot of her friends are the same

Yes, on anight the local town would be full of pub crawlers, now many are desolate. X

Yes, things have changed. Going out is different now. Back in the day we didn't have SM or any way to chat so going out to the pub, meeting friends is what we sociable people did and still do to a lesser extent.

I've observed younger ones have a few drinks at home then go straight to a club, most likely the prices and dangers of spiking etc.

I've always been a pub person, a huge group of us would meet up, have a laugh, no mobiles to distract. Of course many still do it bit do t ha e the same freedom in the way of having to take selfies all the Time and not enjoying the moment. Xx

I’ve been told a few of my DS2 ( 22) friends take ketamine, 1 or 2 have tried coke, he doesn’t drink a lot or take any drugs-hopefully 😬
Our eldest DS ( 24) doesn’t drink ,he hates the dizziness/sick feeling from it
Our DD ( age 14) has said a few of her friends now drink at parties,
I drank a fair bit in my 20s , not so much once having kids and now the menopause has kicked in, I can’t really tolerate it.