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

[OptimismvsRealism]

I mean I know some people have always not really liked it but why as a generation do they feel differently about it?

(Come to mind because I've decided to go sober for a few weeks and it's NO FUN and I want to know their secret).

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

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.

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 🙈

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

"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."

Tell it to everyone in Spain I guess.

Ps I've developed a serious flavoured water habit.

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.

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.

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.

“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 ☕️

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

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

Ah so your puritanism is diet contingent? If I Eat The Rainbow you don't think my wine is poison?

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.

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.

Because it makes you physically sick if you drink too much of it? And also makes some people out of control.

I hardly ever drink because of these reasons

It makes you feel shit, can have fun without it, healthier lifestyle. I rarely drink either

I’ve been sober for almost twenty years and my DDs have never seen me drink alcohol…they’re teenagers & have both tried it. Neither liked the effect and haven’t really bothered with it since…

Crikey. Judgey much?

Don’t think you’re buying the right wine. 😉😂

I have three young male relatives who smoke weed, long term users. I can’t stand it, they get so moody and angry if they go five mins without, unless you’re an alcoholic it is not like that with alcohol. And the amount they spent on it is ridiculous, never any money for anything else.

That's not the same for all weed users. Or for all people who are alcohol dependent. You're generalising.

Some weed users can have a bit, then nothing for a while, because all it does is relax them. Same with drinkers.

Some drinkers can't function properly when they are sober. Same with some smokers.

That is a very small percentage of users. A larger percentage of those who use alcohol have a much worse impact on others.

What a strange thread, OP. Who are you trying to convince?

I don't know - from the responses on here, it seems a lot of people get bored and irritable and grumpy if they can't have alcohol!