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Original poster

I think there is a big back lash against alcohol happening

119 replies

toepick · 15/07/2024 22:34

It used to be common place to post pictures of drink but now it seems a bit taboo

More and more public figures on SM denouncing alcohol

It's become almost trendy to be alcohol free
Less of a boozing culture amongst young people

Could alcohol become a thing of the past?

When I was young it was completely acceptable and not really questioned to get wasted every weekend. Now I realise how toxic that is even if it seemed fun at times.

OP posts:
WhatNext24 · 15/07/2024 22:37

I don't think it will ever go away as so many people are addicted to varying degrees, but it's definitely becoming increasingly fashionable not to drink.

I'm with you OP. I had a good time at university and beyond (early 00s) but cringe to think of the ill judged decisions, wasted time and opportunities that no doubt came with it.

RichardsGear · 15/07/2024 22:39

I loved my misspent youth. No regrets here!

Charlie2121 · 15/07/2024 22:40

The cost of alcohol in pubs and bars means it is now an unaffordable habit for a lot of younger people.

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Maddy70 · 15/07/2024 22:40

I agree. I haven't drunk for 7 months for health reasons. Not sure ill go back tbh. Im not missing it and I've lost weight!

DigbysMum23 · 15/07/2024 22:41

I'm grateful if I'm honest. I gave up drinking last year because my relationship with it became really toxic as I negotiated the end of an abusive marriage and a complete mental breakdown. Feel like there is more and more evidence coming out showing the harm drinking can do, and the more celebrities that 'come out' as sober the better! To show people like me that were struggling that being alcohol free is a valid choice and doesn't have to mean the end of your identity as a fun person.

QuackQuackFuckThat · 15/07/2024 22:42

Too many people have alcoholics in their families etc

Strokethefurrywall · 15/07/2024 22:43

It's definitely heading that way as younger generations seem to be pretty dismissive of alcohol generally.
Not sure if it's because they've seen alcohol being glamorized to a ridiculous extent (gin/prosecco cushions anyone?) that they've decided it's absolutely uncool to be associated with anything their parents think is fun, but either way it's no bad thing!

Original poster
toepick · 15/07/2024 22:44

I stopped for 4 months then 2 months and more sensible in between

Now I'm menopausal I just can't tolerate it the same. I think it's poison unless you really only stick to one or two

I'm just starting another break

Part of me would like to go completely sober but I do enjoy a glass of red with nice food!

OP posts:
Original poster
toepick · 15/07/2024 22:45

When you look at it logically from a distance it is weird that we drink this toxic fluid that's been promoted as essential for a good life

OP posts:
justasking111 · 15/07/2024 22:47

We've had micro breweries spring up here. DS 22 and friends would rather have a couple of bottles of a really good beer than beer on tap. They're connoisseurs. Makes me smile when I recall my youth.

Cocktails are popular here as well as craft beers in restaurants.

Virgin cocktails are popular. Zero alcohol beer and wine. Which could be down to a scarce taxi service so someone has to drive.

MeandBobbyMcGoo · 15/07/2024 22:47

I stopped drinking, don't miss it. Do notice alcohol seems uncool now, but drugs are very much normalised.

AzureAnt · 15/07/2024 22:52

They are all smoking weed now instead

Miley1967 · 15/07/2024 22:54

QuackQuackFuckThat · 15/07/2024 22:42

Too many people have alcoholics in their families etc

This. I think so many people have seen first hand the damage it does. I have two colleagues in an office of around eight people who have witnessed close relatives die horrible deaths from alcohol addiction.

greatvisuals · 15/07/2024 22:55

I still like a few drinks but nowhere near as often as I used to. I just can't be bothered with the hangovers and I don't have any real 'pull' to have boozy nights. Maybe just once every 2 or 3 months and I enjoy it.
Love hangover free weekends too much!

Putting · 15/07/2024 22:56

MeandBobbyMcGoo · 15/07/2024 22:47

I stopped drinking, don't miss it. Do notice alcohol seems uncool now, but drugs are very much normalised.

Yes, I’ve noticed that.

I think I’d prefer people to drink than take drugs tbh

MrHarleyQuin · 15/07/2024 22:58

If you go to any city on a nice day at the weekend you will see it is definitely not out of fashion.

Towelmode · 15/07/2024 22:59

It’s a generational shift, youngsters don’t go out clubbing and boozing and lie in the next day with a trip to the greasy spoon. They get up at 7am, get a green juice and work out. I think they are going to have major mid life crises tbh! I was never a big drinker but barely drink now as it makes me fell rubbish the next day.

FinalCeleryScheme · 15/07/2024 23:00

If you mean that drunkenness, especially public drunkenness, is becoming unacceptable in the UK then I certainly hope so.

But I very much doubt that alcoholic drinks are any less popular than they were (price allowing, as a pp has said). The whole world - not Islamic countries, obvs - makes and enjoys alcoholic drinks. That’s not going to change, nor should it.

TowerStork · 15/07/2024 23:00

Not drinking has been normalised which is good.

Drinking is still massive though even if the industry is pushing alcohol free options at the moment. And the fall off in alcohol consumption is matched with a massive increase in drugs, especially very strong weed and cocaine so I don't know if people are healthier overall

TwattyMcFuckFace · 15/07/2024 23:02

Weed is fast becoming the popular 'alcohol' of choice amongst young people.

Probably because unlike when I was a teenager, pubs now want photo ID and alcohol is so expensive.

A £10 bag of weed between 3 or 4 teenagers goes a lot further than a couple of bottles of cider, and will be much easier for them to buy.

EasterlyDirections · 15/07/2024 23:06

I think it's far more acceptable not to drink now, and there are really good 0 (or close) alcohol beers so more options. But there are three new craft beer pubs in my area with superb beers on tap and they are rammed every weekend with people of all ages.

Sadtosaythis · 15/07/2024 23:09

I really started to drink significantly less about 2 years ago. Gave up mid week drinking about 3 years ago. I am peri menopausal and my body just can’t process it anymore. I would awaken at 3am and be awake for hours with panic attack symptoms including horrendous palpitations. Now, I will only drink more than one drink on holiday or at Christmas/NYE. Never if I have to be up early or have plans the next day. I drink CBD drinks at the weekend as an alternative.

I can go weeks and weeks without an alcoholic drink and I could not care less. My sleep is much improved as is my skin and most importantly, my mental and physical health.

NewName24 · 15/07/2024 23:11

When I was young it was completely acceptable and not really questioned to get wasted every weekend

Quite the opposite here.
My friends and I used to go to a pub (usually meeting after other things) 3 or 4 times a week, but rarely have more than 2 or 3, and (in turn) various people would be driving so not drinking that night.
My dc, nieces, nephews, and their friends can put away a frightening amount of alcohol in one evening, or day. Not just my family - it seemed typical at a wedding we went to last month, with people who weren't family.

PerkyMintDeer · 15/07/2024 23:18

I've never drunk alcohol and am in my forties now, it just wasn't a thing in my family and we never had it in the house. I may have had a sip at some point and found it disgusting. I've got ribbed for years about it..."Glass of wine?" "No, thank you I don't drink." "GO ON!!! You can have ONE!!!" For years this was commonplace. It was like no one around me outside of my family could fathom I didn't drink. I was pretty quiet about it as well, never made a fuss but I was shocked how many people couldn't take no for an answer.

Recently a "sober social group" has started in my town. It's huge. I'm surprised to see former colleagues have joined. It's mainly people recovering from alcohol dependency but there are people like me who just don't drink and people who didn't have a "problem" but no longer see any benefit.

I work in a University and for the past ten years, I've found loads of my students don't drink either...just not interested. They go and paint plant pots and attend "soundbaths" with their friends...I feel a little jealous of their uni experience to be honest. I was always the only non drinker. I ended up pretending I was drinking vodka in my coke just to get everyone off my back!

pawnam · 15/07/2024 23:22

I have a genetic low tolerance to alcohol so I'm glad to see it's socially less acceptable. I used to drink more 20 years ago under social pressure but tbh I never enjoyed it and in the past ten years I've barely had any alcohol (been pg or bfing for a large part). Younger relatives in their 20s barely drink so it doesn't seem to be a thing in their social circles. They don't do drugs either.