I’m not a prude, nor do I think everyone that drinks before the age of 21 or after is a terrible person. I don’t believe I put myself above any others with my decision not to drink alcohol, and if one of my friends chose to drink I would never judge them for it.
Drinking is a personal choice, but just as a lot of other things in college, it seems like since everyone else is taking shots on the weekend you should be, too.
When people ask me why I don’t drink, I usually say something along the lines as, “I want to have control over my body” or “I just don’t want to.” They’ll usually push a little harder to try to get me to take a sip but after a few more attempts they walk away. I don’t think it is anyone’s business why I am choosing not to drink now or hopefully ever. Much to many people’s dismay, not all college students love to drink and party every weekend.
A big part of the reason I don’t drink is because I just don’t see the point. I’m paying a lot of money for drinks that what, get me a little buzzed? No thanks, I’ve been told my personality seems like I’m always buzzed anyway, so why add onto that? I have no desire to get over the toilet, black out drunk. Maybe I’ve seen too many cases of alcohol poisoning going tragically bad, or watched too many college movies that show girls being taken advantage of in their drunken state.
Don’t get me wrong, I love going out and hanging out with my friends. I’ll just be sipping from a water bottle instead of a red solo cup.
Every once in a while I’ll tell a few close friends the main reason why I don’t drink. I don’t mind telling people the real reason; it’s more so they don’t get uncomfortable and awkward for the real reason.
My birth dad was an alcoholic, and while I ended that relationship with him in 8th grade, I made a promise to myself then that I would never drink. I am well aware that having one beer or a glass of wine will not put you into a drunken haze, but for those who have been closely related to someone with a drinking problem all you see is the unhealthy relationship with alcohol. All I saw when I was young were the problems and tension it caused within my family, so why would I want to put the people that love me in the position I was put in when I was a child? Yeah, no thanks.
That being said, I understand that some people enjoying going out and drinking, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s just not for me, and I have been happily surprised at the response I get in college when I tell people I don’t drink and never have nor plan to. Especially the guys, the replies vary from “wow, really?” to “I really respect that.” Of course there are always a few who try to pressure me, and I can’t say I haven’t been tempted in the past, but I know myself and I would rather pass on a drink than be disappointed with myself in the morning.
Writing this is so refreshing. If this article can help anyone see that they don’t have to drink or simply get a new perspective on alcohol, I’ll be happy.
Something that might help others who don’t want to drink; make a deal with your parents that if you don’t drink throughout college they’ll get you something. I may or may not have made a deal with my Grandpa that entails him buying me whatever wedding dress I want, at any cost from Kleinfelds if I don’t drink or do any drugs throughout college… I don’t think my Grandpa quite understood how serious I was. No jungle juice is worth a wedding dress from Kleinfelds.