1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila, floor
Most people can say they have drunk alcohol at some point in their lives. To many people it's a fun, relaxing way to wind down with friends after a long day. We want to have an open and frank discussion about alcohol that focuses on what we can do to help keep drinking in moderation and focused on the fun times!
The main reason people enjoy drinking is also one of the major reasons that alcohol causes problems – it lowers inhibitions, producing a feeling of carefree relaxation. While this is not necessarily a bad thing in small doses, enough alcohol can bring out a person's less-controlled side, resulting in anything from throwaway kisses, jumping off funces to aggressive fights. Binge drinking is the type of drinking that causes problems - often a person may not even remember what happened the following morning – here's hoping you brought your non-drinking friend to catch you up on last night's events!
Unfortunately, for some people drinking goes from a supporter of good times to an instigator of some things that are dangerous. In the long-term, alcohol dependence can result in a variety of problems, and many people have lost families, jobs, and possessions as a result of their addiction. Cutting back becomes especially hard – alcohol addiction is known to be one of the hardest to crack, and withdrawal symptoms can be a nightmare. That said, if you or someone you know has a drinking problem, get help straight away! There are a number of services available to you, including your local GP.
All this is not to say that drinking is wrong, we just want to have a realistic convo that looks at all the possibilities. Done right, it can help make a good night into a great night, and alongside an awesome group of friends there's no reason not to have a few drinks. Just keep it safe, know your limits, and have a great time!
Want to share your experience and help others know more about alcohol and drunkenness? Maybe you have a few questions and comments of your own? Whatever it is, join us right here on Monday 16th September for the next Getting Real session – it's sure to be a great discussion!
Here's some info to help get your drinking with less risks!
Nathan5653 wrote:
5) What does 'responsible drinking' mean to you? What does it look like?
Well, here is some handy info I took from the RO.com factsheet
Keep an eye on what you’re drinking. EG If you’re drinking shots, remember that spirits often have a high alcohol content. Make sure you leave enough time between shots to feel the effects of the first one before shotting the next one. Also, drink water between your drinks to help you keep hydrated.
Don’t drink and drive. EG If you’re going out for a big night, work out amongst your group of friends who’s going to be the one that drives home. If no one wants to have a sober night, bring enough money for a taxi. You could also keep an emergency cash stash at home, so that if something unexpected happens and you need a taxi, you can still pay the fare.
Wait till you’re 18. EG Even if your underage mates are drinking, go for the soft drink. If you’re worried about what they’ll think of you, you can even pretend that there’s alcohol in your drink. Because really, no one wants the police on the phone to their parents (or a criminal record!).
Avoid mixing alcohol and other drugs. EG. If you’re on medication, check the information in the box to see what it says about drinking alcohol. If you’re taking recreational drugs, you’re better off just sticking with what you’re on and not mixing.
Drinking a glass of water between every alcohoic drink usually helps prevent a hangover too!
@Chonty wrote:
Drinking a glass of water between every alcohoic drink usually helps prevent a hangover too!
And a glass or two before going to bed when you get home!
Is it possible to tell if you or a friend might have a drinking problem? How could you try to cut down (or help your friend) if you thought it was an issue?
It's definitely possible to tell! Drinking becomes a problem when you start to notice yourself developing a tolerance (usually a good sign that you've been drinking too much/frequently) and when it starts to affect your social and work life. Also, if every time you go out you find yourself in bad situations, it's a good idea to cut down!
It's a bit harder when it's a friend who has the problem. I think the best thing to do is to sit them down and have an honest conversation with them, and - if you're a frequent drinking buddy of theirs - keep an eye on their intake throughout the night. If they're having too much, try to slow them down a bit, or even ask if they'd like to leave the bar/pub/party and grab some food, just to get them away from the drinks for a while.
@Magga wrote:
Also, if every time you go out you find yourself in bad situations, it's a good idea to cut down!
yea i agree with this one too! if you are always having fights or end up in tears everytime you go out is a sign you might be using alcohol to mask underlying emotional issues...
@Sophie-RO wrote:
Actually even in the past I have filled up an empty beer bottle with water so I felt like I was still part of the party!
Haha I have totally done this too Soph!
Guys, really great responses! Onto the next question then...
4) Have you ever witnessed somebody else being drunk while you were sober? If so, what were your thoughts then?
Have you ever witnessed somebody else being drunk while you were sober? If so, what were your thoughts then?
Many times. If the other person/people are tipsy and happy drunk, I generally don't mind at all, but when they've drunk too much and start getting stupid I usually just end up getting frustrated and pissed off. It's no fun trying to have a conversation or hang out with someone who can't stand straight or hold a conversation. Once you're being a jerk, talking crap and doing things you wouldn't normally do, I usually just end up bored and annoyed. More than happy to hang out when we're all just having a couple of drinks, or sober, but when you're the only sober one in a situation... soooo frustrating.
I think it depends on the individual. I have a lot of friends who are pretty fun to be around when they're drinking, but in the past I've had a few that just irritated me. I had to drive a friend home once because, even after we warned her, she kept drinking until she was spewing. I tend not to enjoy hanging out with people like that, but otherwise I don't have much of a problem 🙂
5) What does 'responsible drinking' mean to you? What does it look like?
To me, responsible drinking is knowing your limits and not going overboard. It's fine to drink, and to have a great time - but when you're so drunk that you're making a mess of everything, or getting on everyone else's nerves, it's time to stop. Let everyone else have as much fun as you are!
Ugh I had a horrible two years binge drinking after highschool. It was the social norm to get so drunk you couldn't remember what you'd done the next day. And the feeling I got the next morning waking up in unknown places, sometimes next to uunknown men, was enough to make me want to drink again to forget haha.
As fun as having a drink can be, it's hard to know when to stop when you're prone to addiction :<
Drinking with friends can be a lot of fun – but sometimes it can get to a point where things go a little too far. What are the positives and negatives of drinking alcohol?
Losing your dignity is a big risk with drinking alcohol. Before I learnt my limits, I used to drink too much, too often, and there's many nights I ended up regretting and wishing I could take back. While drinking can be fun, can help you relax, & can be a good way to connect & socialise with others, I think it's super important to know where your line is drawn, & to be able to respect that. Some of the negatives (that I've experienced) have been feeling like an idiot, doing things I regret, hurting friends/family by saying/doing things I wouldn't usually, making myself sick from drinking too much, & the inevitable hangovers...
Gail, so true! I suppose people have different levels of shame, but if you're regretting the night before it's definitely a sign to start thinking about your drinking habits. Thanks for the response!
Other negatives can be moving into addiction, taking risks you wouldn't normally (like driving or playing games like chicken or unprotected sex or trying drugs you might not have tried if you were sober)
Chonty's comments leads well into the next Q...
Drinking with friends can be a lot of fun – but sometimes it can get to a point where things go a little too far. What are the positives and negatives of drinking alcohol?
Hey Chonty! Thanks for joining us.
That's a shame that things got so bad, but it seems like you've learned from it all - so that's good! Any tips for anyone going through similar things?
Having the kind of friends that will accept that you don't want to get blind every weekend. I had to lose a few friends that wouldn't accept it, and wanted to peer pressure, but the good friends stuck around. That and moving 700k away for a year for a fresh start haha
It can be hard when all your social group wants to do is hit the pubs and clubs
