AIBU to worry about the hold alcohol has on the UK?

[whyhere]

Prompted by a thread about an alcohol-free wedding, and some of the comments therein ('boring.... wouldn't go.... take a hip-flask....'), it seems to me that the need for/expectation of alcohol has really taken a grip in this country. Can people really not enjoy anything without alcohol? Is it really impossible to create a soap scene without alcohol being involved (yes, EE, I'm looking at you!)?

Anyone doing dry January? (Full disclosure - come from a family of alcoholics and have been sober for around fifteen years.)

I like a drink but I don't really go crazy ever. I have done dry January the last few years so will continue to do so! I think If I was invited to a wedding with no alcohol I would definitely go to it!

It's the sheer shock in people's voices when you say "I don't drink".
"WHAT?"
"Don't drink".
"Really!? Why not? What do you do at parties!?".

The thought that all you can possibly do for fun is drink. And yet somehow we're the boring ones.

This was exactly my first thought as well OP.

I have a glass of wine with a meal several times a week and would miss a glass with a nice meal at a wedding, but it wouldn't spoil the event.

I have also never understood the apparent 'need' for alcohol to enjoy a dance/social event. I can relax and let myself go without needing a drink and find it dreadfully sad to hear how many people don;t seem to believe they can too.

Completely agree! I felt the same way as OP reading that thread. So many posters horrified at the thought of going to a celebration without alcohol. Can’t they enjoy themselves without it? That says “problem” to me.

Thank you for that! I gave up trying to explain!!

You've completely misunderstood the 'alcohol-free wedding' thread.

That OP wasn't complaining about the lack of alcohol. The issue was with the fact that the bride and groom were withholding this information from the guests, who had booked hotel rooms based on the assumption there would be alcohol, when they could otherwise have driven to/from the event.

Any PPs who did respond saying 'a dry wedding would be boring' etc, were soon corrected on what the actual issue was.

After watching a friend lose almost everything this year due to alcohol I tend to agree OP.

I had paramedics out on many occasions this year (alcohol related) and chatting with one crew afterwards they told me that in our city they have farm more ambulance call outs for alcohol than drugs.

As someone who has lived in other countries, I have to say the level of functional alcoholism in the UK is very high, though probably at this point unnoticeable to people who have lived here their whole lives.

Whats it to you? Try monitoring your own intake if you're bothered. If not stop judging everyone else's choices.

Going without alcohol doesn't bother me but I wish places that it's served had better soft drinks. I don't want to drink lots of sugary or diet drinks. I want something that's naturally low sugar. I'd also like to see good coffee and tea served

I agree totally with this, don't drink alcohol, can't drink more than one glass of fizzy stuff, don't like alcohol free versions of things.
I quite often end up on tap water!!

At a recent wedding I caved and asked the barman for a nice cup of tea in the middle of the disco 😆

I got one and promptly started a trend!

But to be fair, when you don't drink you actually get judged, pressured and asked to explain yourself a hell of a lot!

(Until they want a lift home of course 😆)

I've seen that thread too and I don't think OP has misunderstood the OP in that one. This thread was started off the back of people's reactions to the idea of an alcohol free wedding. So many people saying they wouldn't go with no alcohol, that it will be boring if its dry etc.

Thank you: exactly.

I'm doing dry January OP. Hoping I can do it for longer though. Totally agree with you, the first friend I was told I was doing said "what, are you joking, why?!" Made me a bit sad

Studies show that Boomers and Gen X and older millenials are the last of the big drinkers. Gen Z and Gen A are drinking less and less.

I agree with the OP that drinking is so ingrained for many people in Britain. But then again so was smoking a generation or two ago. And as it’s (very broadly) those aged 40 and above who drink heavily I wonder if in 20 years time drinking - and getting drunk in particular - is going to be seen as something associated with older people. Which will obviously make it massively unattractive to younger people!

Totally agree, I've been to weddings where alcohol has caused problems and even fighting amongst the guests.
Really sad that people have to drink to enjoy themselves.

I’m not a huge drinker and never have been. I used to drive when I went clubbing with friends when I was a teenager/early twenties.
I was very much looking forward to the bottle of gin and bottle of baileys I’d bought for over Xmas, but then I happily discovered I was pregnant, so it’s a hopefully dry 2024 for me.

You're not wrong. The obsession that an event is only worth it or fun with alcohol is so toxic. People forget it's a drug, and there's more alcohol related deaths than any other drug. This goes for all events, from small things like a dinner party, right through to a wedding or massive party, if you feel the need to drink alcohol to enjoy it then I would seriously recommend therapy, because that is the legitimate meaning of a coping mechanism. (This obviously doesn't apply to people who are happy with or without alcohol, and those who legitimately just have one drink because they like it).

I love drinking (not an alcoholic, just enjoy it) but recently have friends who have had unhealthy relationships with alcohol who have stopped entirely. I'd never realised how tough it can be to be teetotal - the constant questioning why, how so many social events are based around alcohol and how alcohol is such a part of life (my boss gave me a bottle of wine for Christmas, as is the usual gesture in my job). if you opt entirely out of boozy meals, nights out, BBQs, even raffles with boozy prizes, it can be very isolating.
Personally, I'm never going to be a non drinker, but im more than happy to not drink. I'm probably going to do dry January (I did November and most of December too) but not as a big thing and if I choose to have a drink, I won't be gutted. I'm just moving away from drinking every weekend (I don't drink during the week anyway). Alcohol is indeed a very large part of our society and although I enjoy it very much, I think overall reducing this will only ever be a good thing.

I always laugh when people imply they need alcohol to enjoy themselves. I find it quite sad to be honest. I’ve noticed lots of young people aren’t drinking anywhere near as much as they used to and take a much healthier approach tk things. I do think the amount of harm done by alcohol is concerning - A&E demands, police etc….absolutely depressing.

It depends how you define a problem. Any alcohol is toxic. It’s a poison, that’s why it’s causes drunkenness and eventually sleepiness, followed by unconsciousness. That is the brain trying to protect itself. Alcohol is far more dangerous, both to the individual and to society than cannabis, Ecstasy or Cocaine. Any amount of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer and other health issues. I do agree though that the biggest problem is the culture that celebrates and normalises heavy drinking.

People don’t really need alcohol to relax and let their hair down, they just believe they do. Studies in social psychology have shown that the placebo effect applies to alcohol. People who believe that have had it will party as well as those who really have, including feeling tipsy.

I wouldn’t mind an alcohol-free wedding though I’ve never been to one. I do like to drink, or at least I used to but I find it less appealing as I get older.

I do think alcohol has got a grip n the country, I remember trying to buy a birthday card for a friend in recovery from alcohol issues and there are so many ‘humorous’ cards about getting shit-faced. The rest seem to have flowers or butterflies!

There are a few people in my circle with alcohol issues. I think they would decline an invitation to an alcohol-free wedding or just bring booze with them as so many are suggesting on the other thread.

Seriously? That’s more worrying to you? This despite the costs of alcohol including street violence (including often serious injury and even murder), domestic violence, including child abuse (including often serious injury and even murder), serious health problems (often including terminal conditions) to name a few!

I don't know anybody who drinking is an issue for. We all drink moderately and socially. I probably buy 12 bottles of wine a year and drink out/eat out socially about one a month and rarely get tipsy.
I'd find going to an alcohol free wedding a bit dull. Not because I want to get drunk, but I do enjoy the atmosphere the later in gets and people let their hair down more. Some of best weddings I have been to have been good because of the evening do, when there are lots of slightly sloshed people living it up on the dance floor. People just enjoy the feeling of being tipsy at certain functions like weddings. I don't see the harm in it.