Posters don’t drink alcohol

[HannaYeah]

What is it like?

Did you ever drink?

Would love to hear from all perspectives; people that never did, only do very occasionally, used to drink but quit.

I haven't drank in about 10urs now, I used to binge drink at weekends with friends like many others. I gave up after seeing close family members develop alcoholism and saw what it did to them. I had to deal with the fallout of many alcoholic binges and hated alcohol for what it turned loved ones into.
I don't miss drinking at all and try to promote a more healthy attitude to alcohol than I grew up with to my children.

@Pigletspal

I live in the US and California wine can actually be really great!

But additives for color and flavor are allowed. Not all have them, but standing in the store to purchase wine, I have no way of knowing which does and does no so now I just avoid it.

I drank sometimes as a student, but seldom got drunk. The hangovers just weren’t worth it. After uni I would drink even less - I didn’t want to be vulnerable travelling alone on public transport. So I would maybe drink about 3 or 4 times a year.

Several years ago I was round at a friend’s house. Had a couple of small glasses of wine at lunchtime. I was there until about midnight then drove home. As I pulled up at my house I thought ‘wtf did I just do?!’ I would not have been over the limit- it was at least 10 hours later and I’d eaten and drank loads of water. I felt completely sickened though that I’d got in the car after any booze at all. So I didn’t drink at all for about three years after that.

Now, I drink maybe once a year, often less - glass of wine with Christmas dinner type of thing. I’d honestly prefer a nice cup of tea!

I used to drink socially, quite heavily. Then I had DC1 when I was 23 and can count on my hands how many nights out there have been since - now 36. I've never drank in the house, and I haven't been 'out out' in six or so years. Now I'm physically disabled I don't even go 'out' so no drinking for me. I guess I'd have a toast at a wedding, but none on the horizon. I'm quite glad I started drinking early in life - I have some great memories of a misspent youth before ill health took over.

I only used to drink when I went out and up until my late 20’s when I met DH it was almost all weekend every weekend. Over time it became less and less, almost non existent when we had our DD’s. Then I became chronically ill and haven’t had a drink since December 2012 because of the medication I take. I genuinely miss it, I’m not sure it’s because I can’t and I still had the option too if I wanted to or just because it’s been such a long time.

I never drank at home. I find wine always gets me really drunk, would have the occasional lager but vodka was always my drink of choice.

I used to drink back in my university days but I can’t remember the last time I had a drink, maybe wine at Xmas dinner. I’m not a tee total but I never really fancy it. I’m a total introvert so don’t do pubs or clubs. I get bad hangovers so it’s just not worth it.

I don’t drink. I used to drink every couple of weeks and would drink heavily every couple of months. I don’t drink now as I hate hangovers and prefer to feel clear and fresh for the day. I don’t judge those that do drink though and just wish people wouldn’t nag me to have a drink!

I drink occasionally.

I like the taste of lots of alcoholic drinks but the problem I have is

1. my dh doesn't drink so if I open a bottle of something i have to finish it before it goes off on my own.

1. I put on weight easily and I don't want to waste too many calories on booze.

1. The biggest; I'm allergic to sulphites and quite often if I have more than a sip or two I will suddenly have the effects of a very bad cold (coughing, sneezing, totally blocked up nose).

I drank quite a bit as a teen and in my early twenties, but then came a bit obsessed with saving money after I bought my first house and now I won't even buy a soft drink if I go out for dinner.

I do occasionally have a larger shandy in the summer but that's probably about 4 a year so not a lot at all.

Never had any problems with alcohol or anyone in my family with problems that I know of so that was never part of the 'reason' I pretty much stopped drinking.

My husband is mentally abusive so I don't drink any more because I feel far too vulnerable in his company. He likes to get people hammered just so he can laugh at them. I used to drink socially but never really found a drink that I loved so only drank to get Merry or pissed in good company to be honest.

i don't like (a) the taste (b) the way it makes me feel (c) the effect on my behaviour (d) the effect on other people's behaviours

i have been out in my youth and gotten smashed and been sick, i've had a few glasses of wine as an adult. just doesn't do it for me.. i wish all these people could be my social circle as it's really hard to find people whose lives don't revolve around when they next get to drink irl

I drank quite a lot until I was mid 40s. My hangovers would last days and I honestly used to feel like I was dying. My body just couldn’t deal with the alcohol anymore. That did me a massive favour tbh and over the last 10 years I’ve pretty much stopped drinking. The last time I had a drink was a few Proseccos at New Year.

I have had alcohol only twice in my life. Honestly couldn’t tolerate the smell and taste and I thought to myself how do people drink this 🤦‍♀️

I used to drink occasionally, particularly at student parties, but probably not more than once every three weeks. I never gave up as such, but just found that the gaps became longer - to maybe once every three months. Now I could measure the gap more easily in years. I remember I had a glass of wine when out about 18 months ago. There is no particular reason for abstinence - I just don't like it very much and absolutely don't need it for confidence or to have a good time when out. Also, for the last 25 years, my main social life has been in salsa nightclubs - and I absolutely can't drink and dance, and also I like to drive there - so it never even occurred to me to drink.

I've never really liked the taste. I tend to drink sweet drinks to hide the alcohol. I am the opposite of a wine connoisseur.

used to get drunk as a student to join in. Was fun, but meh, expensive and prefer to drink coke or a cup of tea!

I do drink, a glass of wine or two. Love a Baileys or Ginger wine at Christmas. But I don't ever get drunk, and I am still not fussed about the taste. Really dislike drunk people these days, my tolerance for them has dropped to zero.

I have never understood the concept of 'can't wait to get home and open a bottle of wine' or ' how lovely, relaxing with a glass of cold white wine' Those things just don't appeal to me at all.
My version would be 'can't wait to get home and have decent cup of tea'

I used to drink but have never really liked the taste and hate the feeling of being tipsy or drunk

I tried it as a teenager and found it repulsive. I've tried every type and it all tastes like paint stripper. Yuck!!

If you have to "get used" to something it's probably not good for you

Never much of a drinker , never had a hangover .
I stopped when I was 22 and got my own car insurance , only drank on holiday if not driving at all.

Then went to only one at Christmas ...then stopped completely about 11 years ago.
I'm not Tee-Total because I do use alcohol in Christmas cake and marzipan I make .

But it never bothers me . I don't really think about alcohol.

I drank like a mad thing when I was a late teen, did the nightclubs and necked cider and black (bleurch, now) like it was going out of fashion. I was rebelling and it lost the appeal with the 'badge of approval'.

I'm teetotal now, I don't like the taste and I don't like the muzzy head I get if I drink.

To answer your question, OP, I don't think about it, never did really.

I have some shocking vices but not drinking and not smoking (now, but I did).

Yes, LongPause, 'paint stripper', that's it, exactly!

I used to drink alot in my teens and early/mid 20s. I'd get so drunk on nights out that I'd black out and have no recollection of what I'd been doing. Very scary now thinking back. I was a binge drinker and went out most weekends partying. I was a bit of a state and couldn't tell my limits with alcohol. Roll forward to now. I have a DS who's almost 4 and I practically don't drink anymore. I hate the feeling of being out of control. Hate hangovers and can't deal with them. It also makes me very anxious over the next few days after I've had it now. So it's a benefit to me not to have it in my life

NC for this.
Being raised by 2 functioning alcoholics put me off alcohol.
From about age 10 we were often left with our cousins of similar ages while our parents went drinking.

I have watched my housebound mum being dried out but gradually slipping back facilitated by our extended family carrying it in for her.

I’ve tried various drinks and never tasted anything I could drink regularly.
Some drinks I quite like the taste of are Malibu and I’ll have an odd Aperol spritzer on holiday, but over a year may only have 3-4 drinks.
I’ve never been drunk in my life.

One person who found I didn’t drink asked ‘What’s wrong with ye’? As if it was a bad thing.
Most of my extended family would by medical definition be alcoholics but see themselves as just liking a drink.

Alcohol has ruined my childhood and left a legacy of sadness for me.

My son in his twenties only drinks on holiday and football matches. He would just rather not. He feels sick if he has more than two drinks so doesn't bother

I genuinely miss it

serious question - what is it that you miss? Is it the taste? Is it the way it makes you feel?

What about non alcoholic beers and wine, do any of them replace the taste?

I do like the taste but I don't like the way it makes me feel, so I don't really drink a huge amount. A glass with Sunday roast occasionally or a G&T in the sunshine some afternoons, but that's really it.

I sleep better and feel better if I don't drink.