DS off to university soon but doesn't drink alcohol - yet!!! HELP!

[rainbowstardrops]

Just as the title says really.
DS is off to university very soon but doesn't drink alcohol. It's just never interested him.
He only ever drinks water, black currant juice ie Ribena etc, milk or milkshakes

He's really conscious of the partying side of uni and although he's pretty sociable, he's worried about looking like a numpty while everyone else is getting wasted having a good time.

His friend suggested dark berry cider as it's supposedly 'like drinking Ribena' and so we bought him some yesterday to try before he gets there. Except that I forgot to tell him it was fizzy and he doesn't drink fizzy drinks either! (Trust me, he's not fussy about anything else, just what he drinks!) Although he is an odd boy as he never liked sweets either. He could eat his body weight in chocolate though
It all stems from him not tolerating fruit as a toddler and I think it put him off anything 'fruity' (except black currant obviously).

So my question is, can anyone suggest anything that he might quite like to drink?

I suggested he just be himself and say he doesn't like drinking but he's worried he's going to feel left out etc.

Please help!!!

MyDcAreMarvel I sound immature?!!! So my son at 18 years of age wants to join in with others and have a drink during Freshers week and I'm trying to help him find something he might like. Why is that immature????
The cider was about 4% so I'm hardly forcing him to knock back a litre of vodka!!!!
What a very bizarre attitude

I'd never really had a drink before going to uni, I don't drink now, but did find alcohol I enjoyed at uni.

He will find his rhythm with a group of other people who are similar to him. There's all sorts of alcohol he may enjoy; spirits, beer, Lagar, ale, cider etc. He could always try regular cider with a dash of blackcurrant. Don't force him if he's not bothered with alcohol.

Relax. There are loads of students who don't drink but still get involved in Freshers' Week

DS1 is not a drinker really but he'll have the odd Cider and he got through the first year just fine.

He will sort it all out for himself, don't worry.

My DH is the chair of the Student Association at our local uni. It has just been freshers week here and the union has reported that the bar taking are way down because more and more young people are coming to uni and are not drinking. It seems to be a general trend throughout the UK. I would doubt your DS will be the only non drinker in his cohort.

he absolutely doesn't have to drink at uni i agree but if hes feeling anxious to fit in etc. are you able to get him drinking any fruit juices? that opens up more possibilities eg. an English Garden (basically gin & apple juice), Screwdriver (Vodka & Orange) that are not fizzy?

You don't have to drink at uni. It will surprise him that there just as many people who don't enjoy just getting wasted than do.

He can drink whatever he likes no one will care. If he wants to fit in, maybe buy some non alcoholic cider.

Vodka in coke makes it less fizzy and is palatable to my friend who doesn't like the taste of alcohol.

He's going to university, therefore he's an adult. He'll decide.

I didn't drink until I went to university. Got pissed for the first time at 21. Had my first fag at 20.

I don't smoke now, and will have a glass of wine on special occasions.

He might drink there, he might not. Lots of students drink lots. Lots of students don't.

Does he WANT to drink? If he's not too bothered then leave him be. If he does want to then actually I get where you're coming from. Though you probably should've started a few weeks ago otherwise you're going to be squeezing in a booze fest in a few days! Suggestions: Dark rum and blackcurrant. Guiness. Vodka and coke. Proper beer (ie not lager).

Thank you Sparklingbrook. I'm trying to relax and not worry about him but easier said than done right now!

That's interesting DaphneandApollo

After reading that plenty of students don't drink at uni (feeling a bit naive because I didn't go and I have no idea) I'm definitely going to encourage DS to be himself and just do what he's comfortable with.
Like a pp said, if somebody makes him feel uncomfortable for not drinking then he doesn't need friends like that.

Thank you to the helpful posters that have reassured me

tetotal dd1 age 20 is in her 2nd year it has never been a issue. students are very aceptent of others

I was in your position last year rainbow I know how you feel. It does get better though. Honest.

titchy he does and he doesn't!
He does because he thinks everyone will be drinking and he'll look stupid with a glass of water but I think if he realises that not everyone will be drinking, he'd probably be happier staying how he is.
I might be completely wrong though! I'd be more than happy if he chooses not to drink as it'll be one less thing to worry about!

I'm sure he'll be fine Sparkling. It's me that'll be a wreck!
I just want him to settle and fit in and enjoy the whole experience as much as possible.

One of DD’s best friends is teetotal and it’s was just accepted at his uni (he’s not at the same one as DD). DD herself is very ‘selective’ with alcohol (really only likes good red wine, real ale and good scotch - she’s even more selective than me!) so rarely drinks on nights out at university and it’s never been an issue. She often just drinks tap water even when out with us and apparently none of her uni mates have ever queried this....

my ds is in his mid 20's and have never touched alcohol.never been interested (never drinks coffee/tea or fizzy drinks)
he spends a lot of time in drinking venues. has a lot of fun and no problems.

Tell him to buy a bottle of lager and just stand around with it - no one can really tell if it’s full or empty in a crowded bar, they won’t be doing rounds so if he just wants to look the part and not stand out if get questioned whilst he gets to know people then a bottle of Budweiser or whatever that he doesn’t really drink from but is just for show would work.

It's ok for him just to say he doesn't like the taste of alcohol. Just warn him to go steady if he does find something he likes though as if he's not used to it he won't yet know his limits - dark fruits is the small of teenage parties and vomit these days!

SMELL

My friends don doesn’t drink, he doesn’t like alcohol and he’s off to uni. It’s seens more common now and is accepted. There will be teetotal people for many reasons. I know a reformed alcoholic who went in his later years, there will be Muslim students. Its no biggie and one of my exes didn’t drink either he just didn’t like the taste either. It’s part of the big tapestry of people out there. Just make sure he knows if he does drink that he needs to go slow to start with.

He’s part of Generation sensible. Loads of them don’t drink.

My 17YO will have a tiny bit of decent wine at a family meal but doesn’t drink outside of that because “what’s the point, it’s expensive and bad for me.”
It sounds mad to us but freshers week has changed a lot.

Thank you all again for reassuring me that not everyone is a raging alcoholic at uni!
I'm hoping he doesn't find anything he likes to drink and will be confident enough to stay as he is.
I'm certainly feeling more reassured after hearing how many of your DC's have just not drunk alcohol and it hasn't been an issue.
I'm just a panicking anxious mum who just wants him to settle in

Ds3 started uni last week and he doesn’t drink. I just told him not to be pressurised into it! It wouldn’t occur to me to get him to keep trying until he finds one he likes. He’s done loads of socialising over freshers week this week, one night he went to three different clubs. He hasn’t found it an issue.

X post. That’s good then

One of mine doesn't drink and hasn't found it to be a problem at university at all. "I prefer orange juice" is the standard reply, I think.