Alcohol

[Jamey-Maria]

The difference between Australia and other countries with alcohol is that 'we' drink to get drunk. Italiens, Greeks, etc etc, don't have this issue. Even in my extended family (who love their wines ) when we have big family dinners they drink heaps and yet they don't get sloshed. Because they drink with food, and to heighten the occasion, not for the sole purpose of downing as much as they can in one sitting. I have friends that go out of a weekend with the intention of getting wasted and think wow is that what marks a great night out for you, one you can't remember?

I'd had a drink or two before turning 18 but I waited until I was the legal age before my first big night out and even then it wasn't that big. I knew when to stop, I didn't binge drink and I always make sure I'm not drinking on an empty stomach. I don't even really like the taste of most alcohol and end up going for the ones that taste like lolly water instead, which in the ends makes me wonder why I don't just pick a soft drink and the I usually opt for it. It's cheaper, it tastes the same and I'll be able to get myself home safely. The fact that I'm a poor uni student kinda limits alcohol for me anywhere because I can barely afford all my printing assignment costs let alone a drinking night! Apart from the celebratory glass of wine or champagne at an event, a vondka/lemonade at a party I don't really drink.

My biggest issue with alcohol is that so many teenagers/adults (and yes, I'm sick of the blame going solely on the teenagers) is that they're under this illusion that it can only be a good night if you're drunk and I just don't get why. /rant.

[Anaya]

^ Not just Australia, very much the same in Britain too. Infact isn't it very much an Anglo-American drinking culture? And most of these type of countries are almost identical in their alcohol consumption & drinking habits, where in you drink to get drunk, just like you said. It all comes down to the culture that is promoted in these countries. Where, becoming drunk, was once deemed unacceptable & almost a social taboo and a cause for shame, is now regarded by many people (young or older) as acceptable, even desirable.

My biggest issue with alcohol is that so many teenagers/adults (and yes, I'm sick of the blame going solely on the teenagers) is that they're under this illusion that it can only be a good night if you're drunk and I just don't get why. /rant.

This desirabilty is what is promoted through media, celebrities (Z-list ones that love to be photographed & plastered across newspapers/magazines falling out of clubs drunk, with no underwear on ), even through music & videos. Couple that with cheaply priced shots, happy hours, and down-in-one drinking games etc. and add on the fact that humans largely have the tendancy to conform, especially when they're trying to fit in, or achieve a sense of security within a group and you have yourself a mean cocktail for binge-drinking & getting drunk equalling a 'great' night out. And who cares if you don't even like the taste of alcohol, the need to get smashed to look cool in front of their friends, rates way higher on their list.

It's very true that Mediterranean countries were admired for their moderation, and that they enjoyed their alcoholic drinks with food & at dinner. Plus within these countries it was acceptable for children to also taste/have a small measure of alcohol with their meals too. Yet none of these teens became binge-drinking alcoholics as that 'getting drunk' concept was never something they strived for. Funnily enough though, there's been a real shift in the attitude to alcohol within these countries too, they are being influenced by this 'party hard lifestyle' as well. Which is a shame.

[Lise]

This story is so unbelieveably sad. I don't think that people realise the damage that alcohol can cause until it's too late. Drinking until you can't remember what you did the previous night is not cool.

If you were reading the Support Thread this time last year you'll know what my Dad went through and it wasn't pretty. It's caused me to almost be scared of alcohol and I wont touch it now because I don't want to end up the place he did.

NZ definitely has a binge drinking culture and it sounds like Australia and the UK do to. It's only highlighted in the city I live in every weekend by drunk students trashing the part of the city they live in. Nothing seems to stop them either and it happens every year.

[adellejefferiesxox]

I think my mum is an Alcoholic, just consider yourself lucky that you're dad got help despite going through hell. (sorry if that sounded bad, I hope that didn't come across like I'm attacking you, cuz I'm not )

My mum's problem isn't something I can discuss with her, because she'll just get defensive and give me the silent treatment.

I don't drink and I don't want to, only because I'm sick of being addicted to it and I like to be in control of my body.

[Nathan.]

Alcohol is the cause of, and the answer to, life's problems.

[Lise]

I think my mum is an Alcoholic, just consider yourself lucky that you're dad got help despite going through hell. (sorry if that sounded bad, I hope that didn't come across like I'm attacking you, cuz I'm not )

My mum's problem isn't something I can discuss with her, because she'll just get defensive and give me the silent treatment.

I don't drink and I don't want to, only because I'm sick of being addicted to it and I like to be in control of my body.

It didn't sound bad, Steph. Don't worry. My Dad would have never have gotten any help if it wasn't for a very stubborn friend who wasn't going to take no for an answer. He said that he didn't want to hurt me and my sister by going through the process of getting better but he didn't realise that he was hurting us more by keeping on going. I think that keeping on going is easier for them so they just keep doing what they've been doing for years.

I think it's best if I just leave it there because anything else is probably better suited to The Support Group thread.

[Inactive User]

I am not a heavy drinker. I am a light drinker because I never get drunk neither have hangovers. Because I weigh probably between 37-40kgs so I have a thin body as it won't cope if I drink too much alcohol, you know what I meant, right?

I only drink one bottle of rum and cola. But I sometimes drink a second bottle if I felt like it or not.

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[halcyon06]

I'm 18 now but I know people wont agree with this, but I have been drinking at home with my parents since I was 13 maybe. Now, when I say drinking, from age 13-16 it was a mere glass of wine on a saturday night, so if that is what you define as drinking... after that my parents would let me have a drink on occasions, like birthdays, holidays, ect. When I was 17 they let me head out once in a little while and let me drink maybe 2 or 3 glasses at the weekend. Now I'm 18 so its all good. But I have to say, because my parents trusted me and allowed me to drink at home with them, I never ever drank behind their back, even when my friends were drinking at disco's at 15 and all that. I have to say they have done an excellent job, because even when I go out I find that I can drink 5 times more than some of my friends and not get drunk, while they can barely stand. Only twice have I been pretty drunk but that was due to mixing drinks, which i will never do again. I'm in my final year of school now which means I don't go out every weekend, maybe once a month or so, but I would drink at home on a friday and saturday with my parents and friends while watching a movie.

[KristinaLeigh]

I'm legal to drink and have been for two years now here in England, however I cannot legally drink in America which I don't understand, stupid law. >.< But to me I love drinking on a saturday night on a big night out or having a quiet one at the pub in the week but I can't stand it when everybody around me is drunk, and I'm not because people actually become very annoying aha!