<p>“in MY opinion, drugs are worse than alcohol”</p>
<p>By definition? As I said before, that’s a bit arbitrary. I think substances should be judged on an individual basis, especially since many drugs are less harmful than alcohol.</p>
<p>I see two issues that can be overcome with your OP.</p>
<p>You ‘feel’ like you could have a dependency with alcohol? You are just setting yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don’t become your own victim!
Congnitively master the drink. Master when is too much, when you shouldnt drink, and what you shouldnt do under the influence.</p>
<p>I read that unfortunate jazz your friends and your girlfriend went through, but don’t let the availability heuristic put you down. So those around you were disproportionately affected by alcohol? Don’t trip over their mistakes. You ought to be more empowered and in control versus the average collegiate because you know how the drink can affect and screw with the individual.</p>
<p>Regardless of how horrible his music is, in the words of ice cube, u can do it. just put your back into it.</p>
<p>I never smoked cigarettes or pot and I probably never will. I don’t see a point in smoking and for pot, I don’t think it’s “bad” but I just can’t see myself fit in with the culture. All pot-smokers I know have made a extremely bad impressions on me. If my friends were to say “okay, let’s try and smoke pot one time” I would definitely try but I feel I am not missing anything by not smoking. I definitely wouldn’t date any girl who smokes pot regularly. It’s a major turn-off for me. Cigarettes are still okay though I prefer non-smokers of course.</p>
<p>Anyway, back to alcohol.
As far as research goes it has been shown that moderate consumption of alcohol has positive effects. This may be true or not, but certainly alcohol has no negative effects if not drunken in excess. So I don’t see how drugs can be “less harmful” than alcohol if alcohol already has no negative effects. </p>
<p>Not alcohol is the problem, the problem is how immature people cannot handle alcohol. Also Why would somebody even drink alcohol in excess anyway? It mostly happens because of peer pressure not because it actually makes you feel good. If you drink slowly there’s almost a guarantee that you won’t drink too much because you will get sick of it at some point. In that sense alcohol is pretty “harmless” if you are mature enough to know your limits. Everything taken in excess is bad for you. Be it pot, alcohol, video-games or fast food. </p>
<p>Also, alcohol is and has always been part of cultures, ceremonies and gatherings. It will make it easier for you to socialize, make friends, and so on. Not because of its effects on you, but because of social expectations and the way we build rapport.</p>
<p>Some cultures will EXPECT you to drink in business situations and if you don’t you will be at a disadvantage. Now, I am not saying that by drinking alcohol you can be more successful than by not drinking (I understand, respect and like non-drinkers, many of my friends are), but learning to enjoy alcohol might make your life easier, plus there’s nothing bad about it.</p>
<p>cool story, bro</p>
<p>im not quiet sure how to respond to your last post. I’m just trying to give helpful adivce like you asked, but was your last post for or against drinking alcohol?</p>
<p>I guess the better question is, for which side of the debate do you want me (and the cc community) to give you advice on? (or dissuade)</p>
<p>These discussions always crack me up.</p>
<p>Look people - alcohol is an inanimate object. It is not satan incarnate, nor does drinking it or not drinking it reflect any moral values in itself, just like whether you drink Mountain Dew or not does not confer any great moral standing on yourself. It is a substance, an object, an item, which can abused or lead to addiction much like a remote control can be used as a blunt object weapon or one can become addicted to cake.</p>
<p>The problems with alcohol stem from the people who use it. And the problems are mainly overconsumption, driving while intoxicated, and sometimes excessive risk-taking.</p>
<p>But the real comedy are the people who dislike alcohol and have never tried it. Same with pot as well.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to try it, because you think it’ll have adverse effects, that’s understandable (though neither alcohol nor cannibis are instantly addictive - or rather, addictive at all for the majority of users).</p>
<p>But you don’t like it? That’s like saying you don’t like Burger King, having never been to their restaurant. Or saying you hate guacamole, though you’ve never tried it. Perposterous! And frankly, I think it should be tried at least once, because many people do enjoy it responsibly.</p>
<p>But more often then not, people don’t try it either because they are terrified of alcohol - not knowing what it is - or because in their head they have tied up their identity and core values with drinking and especially drugs. They think becoming “a drinker” or so forth is a major identity change, a major value change – and their image of “a drinker” or “someone who’s used weed” is pretty negative (as evidenced by a previous poster). That is why they avoid the substances - they want to remain congruent with how they self-identify - with how they see themselves.</p>
<p>What you fail to realize, however, is that drinking alcohol is NOT a major life decision or identity change. It’s like you’re someone who eats at Burger King or someone who doesn’t ever go there. Frankly, no one cares.</p>
<p>And I see loser potheads around all the time. I’ve probably only smoked the stuff myself a total of 6 times over the last 3 years - extremely rare. Because really, pot isn’t all that exciting. Alcohol is a lot more potent. I believe that a lot of losers are attracted to pot for some reason – but this does not mean that if you decide to smoke it, you are suddenly a loser like them. You got the wrong casuality there - the wrong directional relationship. My two cents.</p>
<p>Why not try some at home with your family the next time you guys are having a dinner party? Honestly, 1-2 beers/drinks won’t make you go out of control. There’s nothing wrong with trying UNLESS you can’t control yourself. Good luck.</p>
<p>Well, I’m surprised at all the responses. I understand that drinking isn’t a do or die situation, but I have always thought that if it can be done responsibly, that’s great. The thing I can’t stand is the thought of actually not remembering you did something. And you should understand that I’m from a family where I have never seen beer in the house. My dad use to be an alcoholic and he always talks about what a waste it was in college. So this is why I have m view on it that I do</p>
<p>If you drink responsibly you will always remember what you did. I yet have to lose my memory once. Even after the one time I drank too much I could still remember everything. I have no idea to what point you need to drink to lose your memory, maybe it depends on the person. Anyway that’s nothing you need to be afraid of as long as you know your limits.</p>
<p>My dad was an alcoholic too so I know how you feel.</p>
<p>I find any drug use pretty pathetic. If your life sucks bad enough the only way to enjoy it is to alter your way of thought you should probably seek help. And drinking for social reasons isn’t any better, if you need alcohol to enjoy your company you need better company (I’ve used that line several times).</p>
<p>That said I don’t mind being friends/associates with people who drink/do drugs but, I won’t lie, I think less of them and I rather not be around them when they do as I find it rather unsavory.</p>
<p>That is because you are naive and immature jeff.</p>
<p>It’s obvious from your lack of insight that you’ve hardly ever touched alcohol if ever and certainly not any drugs.</p>
<p>Contrary to your self-absorbed delusions of what reality is, people don’t drink or do drugs because their life sucks. It’s simply to have a good time. Hell, playing Call of Duty on X-box is probably greater escapism than using beer or weed.</p>
<p>Secondly, not everyone gets drunk whenever they drink - in fact, more people don’t than do. Nonetheless, it’s not because you can’t enjoy social interactions without booze that you use it - it’s simply because it’s fun.</p>
<p>Hell, you probably had more chemicals flood your brain when you were obsessing over your last crush — or that time you saw a spider in your bedsheets.</p>
<p>Just another inexpereinced, completely naive poster who fears alcohol and, like a mindless drone, has adopted some archaic beliefs from parents, local out-of-date religion, or obscure moral majority concerning the devil juice that is ---- oh wait, wine? Isn’t that pretty Christian? lol…</p>
<p>I don’t drink and have never had any real desire to.</p>
<p>When I went to Spain when I was sixteen I had some sangria on New Year’s Eve(Which was one of the only times I have ever consumed alcohol in my life. Previous to this I had one or two glasses of wine prior to Christmas and Easter dinner) and I noticed that both my memory and speed of thought had both been hurt while I was drinking(Which wasn’t even that much by society’s standards- I can still remember everything). After I experienced that at the age age of sixteen I stopped drinking alcohol altogether: Since I don’t need people telling me what is good or bad for my brain anyway.</p>
<p>Now, living in Michigan at the age of the age of 22 the grand majority of College students in this state drink. I don’t really personally care what they do as long as I am not living with them(Because then I have to deal with the hangovers and the random coming into the dorm room at 3:00am; which happened with my last roommate).</p>
<p>People drink to fit in. People go to College to fit in. People wear a certain type of clothes and buy a certain brand to fit in. Thanks to things like MTV and the Real World America is now a culture amazed of thousands of young people with the brain power of a liquid sponge.</p>
<p>Very few young people stop and critically analyze what they do in life(Following the crowd is just so much easier) so it is no surprise America is like the way it is right now. And it is not going to change anytime soon.</p>
<p>But I guess I have always lead my life by example.</p>
<p>If your dad was an alcoholic then definitely be careful mate. Drink VERY responsibly. Alcoholism can run in families… meaning you could become one if you abuse it. Any one could obviously, but it’s much easier for people whose families have a history of alcoholism.</p>
<p>What I don’t like is people using alcohol as a crutch. An ability to “act more loosely” than they would if they were at a party sober. And of course, using it as a scapegoat for stupid actions. It’s naiz, yes, but I stopped doing that. You can just as easily loosen up by believing in yourself a bit more.</p>
<p>I agree with Spiderman; if you look down upon people who use drugs or alcohol substances, and yet have never even tried drugs or alcohol yourself, then you are extremely immature.</p>
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I could take this argument apart for it doesn’t make any sense, but honestly, I’m too lazy to respond to something stupid ;)</p>
<p>
You should really learn to respect other people for what they are doing or not doing. Even though I won’t smoke pot and I will continue drinking I respect people who do just the opposite. As long as we get along well and it doesn’t affect our relationship I don’t care what they like and don’t like, as long as it’s not illegal that is. Life is all about experiencing different things and learning about other people’s viewpoints. That’s what makes it interesting. You won’t get far with the state of mind you have right now…</p>
<p>The drug/alcohol saga continues . . . oyyyy!</p>
<p>Alcoholism unfortunately runs within my family, as well as liver problems. I have, therefore, seen what it can do to a family. I grew up drinking wine from 4 years old (living in a wine city) and have always drank at dinner events/with my parents. </p>
<p>Living in Europe, you can essentially get served alcohol at any age, and are rarely carded, so drinking here is easy and obviously, fun. Because we start early, we aren’t stupid about it, and don’t drink to get drunk.</p>
<p>I respect people’s opinions on drinking/smoking (which is also big) and would never not be friends with someone because they differ in my opinion on it. What I dont understand though, is people who are super anti alcohol and have never even TASTED it. I know soooo many people like this, and i know they judge me when I go out, but until you try, don’t hate. People have this ridiculous misconception that you try and you’re addicted. I personally do NOT think alcohol is this way, smoking is another story though. Don’t be so judgemental of people who drink. We aren’t worse people because of it.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with drinking, just set limits.</p>
<p>I hate when people judge others by saying that they need alcohol to have fun. Am I able to form fully functional relationships with the people around me without the presence of alcohol? Of course. I didn’t drink until my senior year in high school, so I had a lot of practice saying no; I was never against it, it just wasn’t the right time for me personally. Once I did drink, I did it for my own personal reasons, and now I continue to do so because I find it fun.</p>
<p>If I were a soccer player who had good friends from my team, no one would fault me for having friends with similar interests, on and off the field. Soccer can be pretty dangerous if not played responsibly (broken limbs, concussions, and whatnot), yet you don’t see anyone telling soccer players that they should quit having fun with their friends. To me, alcohol is the exact same thing.</p>
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<p>So why do you need alcohol to enjoy yourself? It seems pretty sad if you need to chemically make yourself happy when you don’t have any sort of medical imbalance.</p>
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<p>Nothing to do with getting drunk really, drunks disgust me but that’s beside that’s for physical reasons, not moral ones.</p>
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<p>Despite popular opinion, all chemicals are not equivalent.</p>
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<p>I’m an atheist. My family enjoys drinking quite a bit.</p>
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Then we have nothing to talk about?</p>
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<p>That makes no sense, if I respect people regardless of what they do or don’t do should I respect a mass murderer, cause “Hey, I don’t do it but it’s an experience”? What makes a difference between it being illegal and not by the way? If they legalized heroin would you suddenly have no problem with heroin users?</p>
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<p>Don’t argue in hyperbole, it’s silly. Comparing the respecting (which is to say, the acceptance) of others consuming a type of beverage to that of accepting/allowing murder is a little farfetched.</p>
<p>Frankly, no one “needs” alcohol to enjoy themselves, however it can add to the experience in that it is a unique social activity, which when done on a special occasion with people around can make the experience that much more enjoyable. If you have ever drank you can (notice I said can, not will/would!) see why. And it is not, I would say, an inherently negative thing.</p>