Introduce yourself & your "reason" thread

fermoyboy

Not a very frequent on these boards but just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in here.

I'm 28 and have never drank in my life. Growing up I used to watch my mates get smashed and wanted none of it. Then as socialising/clubbing age came about I quickly realised I was able to enjoy nights out without drinking so was never interested in starting. I still love going out to pubs and clubs and find I can have as much fun if not more, than my mates.

I've made some great friends down through the years that I've met on nights out, wheras my mates don't even remember talking to people at times.

It's also very handy being able to hop into the car at the end of the night and drive home........now that's a serious advantage!!!

leahyl

fermoyboy wrote: »

Not a very frequent on these boards but just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in here.

I'm 28 and have never drank in my life. Growing up I used to watch my mates get smashed and wanted none of it. Then as socialising/clubbing age came about I quickly realised I was able to enjoy nights out without drinking so was never interested in starting. I still love going out to pubs and clubs and find I can have as much fun if not more, than my mates.

I've made some great friends down through the years that I've met on nights out, wheras my mates don't even remember talking to people at times.

It's also very handy being able to hop into the car at the end of the night and drive home........now that's a serious advantage!!!

Totally agree with you about the driving home part. I'm not one for going to pubs and clubs all that much anyway and i don't drive but if i did it'd be a serious advantage. I HATE wating for a taxi at 2.30 in the morning... My friend drives and a few times when we've gone for a drink she has driven to town and then dropped us home later.

Grimebox

I'm cutting back. I've been having night after night of getting completely polluted and not even enjoying any part of it anymore. The objective lately has been to just get as trashed as possible, nothing else. I've been wasting my money and my life

marti101

My reason at the minute is that im breastfeeding and i dont miss it as much as i thought,i didnt drink during my pregnancy either went right off it.So once im finished bf i might stay off the booze for good

brokensoul

I drank too much, too often, for too long.

Havent had a drink in 8 and a half months. Feel so much better for it, physically and psychologically.

Also, i have a better social life now than when i was drinking. Meals out, cinema, theatre, gigs etc. I still go to the pub to meet people and i enjoy it. Once people get past about 5 pints and shart talking ****e tis time for me to go though!

As Fermoyboy siad, tis great being able to hop into the car at the end of the night.

kelle

I've given my reason here

princess-sprkle

StormWarrior wrote: »

Two reasons for me: Made me do things I regretted, and also trying to cut out unhealthy food & drink.

This for me, it hasn't been that long yet. Its probably only 3 weeks but I'm starting to feel better already about it. I enjoy not drinking now, i never thought I'd say that!:)

metaoblivia

I've given my reason in another thread, but I'll do it here too.
I'm 26 and had my first drink at 20. I don't usually drink as I dislike the taste and prefer soft drinks/water/tea. If I drink, I have only one and never get around to finishing it, so I've never actually been drunk.
My father is a functioning alcoholic. He's always been since I can remember and is now. I don't think he'll ever come to terms with it, to be honest. My mother left him because of it, and his long term girlfriend after her left him as well because of it. So now he's old, with no partner and has a distant relationship with his children because he spent our childhood putting the drink before everything else. It's really sad. Seeing his struggle with alcohol put me off to it, I think.

kelle

metaoblivia wrote: »

My father is a functioning alcoholic. He's always been since I can remember and is now. I don't think he'll ever come to terms with it, to be honest. My mother left him because of it, and his long term girlfriend after her left him as well because of it. So now he's old, with no partner and has a distant relationship with his children because he spent our childhood putting the drink before everything else. It's really sad. Seeing his struggle with alcohol put me off to it, I think.

I'm sorry to read your story, Metaoblivia. It's a very sad situation.

Creachadóir

I'm off drink at the moment. I just can't seem to handle any drink these days. One glass of wine and I'm floored, so I'd prefer to just leave it. I have good nights out without drink...although the night seems to go by a bit slower!

I'm not sure how long I'll stay away from it, but I'm doing ok, and have no interest in drinking now and I'm out every weekend.

titan18

I'm 18 and I dont drink as I ee how my 'friends' act with in them and the damage it can cause to people.That and I dont want to give in to the pressure the people in my class put on me to drink.I also decided form an early age to never drink and I want to keep it like that

thusspakeblixa

titan18 wrote: »

I'm 18 and I dont drink as I ee how my 'friends' act with in them and the damage it can cause to people.That and I dont want to give in to the pressure the people in my class put on me to drink.I also decided form an early age to never drink and I want to keep it like that

Non-drinking 18 year olds FTW

titan18

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Non-drinking 18 year olds FTW

Theres so little of us out there.I think I'm the only one in my year who doesant drink at all.Theres another 2 who only drink at really special occasions cos they're into sport and stuff

thusspakeblixa

titan18 wrote: »

Theres so little of us out there.I think I'm the only one in my year who doesant drink at all.Theres another 2 who only drink at really special occasions cos they're into sport and stuff

Yeah I know, I mean I only know of one person besides myself who is a non drinker and is my age, and she's in it for all the wrong reasons, lets say!
Stay with it, it's a lonely path, and yet it's one that requires bravery!

geminilady

Snap! well technically not 18 for a few weeks! but woo! i know a few other of my friends that don't drink but when i was in school, think it was only another girl and me not drinking at the grad!

Pythia

I have a problem with alcohol in that if I have a few drinks, I will be very ill for a few days. It's to do with my IBS and the doctor says I should have as little alcohol as possible. I find it difficult to cope with as it's a decision which has been made for me (by my tummy!). It has only started in the last 2 years as well, so it's only new.

The pain just isn't worth it!

Feeonaw

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Yeah I know, I mean I only know of one person besides myself who is a non drinker and is my age, and she's in it for all the wrong reasons, lets say!
Stay with it, it's a lonely path, and yet it's one that requires bravery!

It doesn't have to be a lonely path! Join a club & do something that interests you...start looking around...there's something for everyone

Davidius

I don't drink because I don't want to.

There's not much more to it than that.

zAbbo

I do drink! but not often, and have went through long periods of not drinking.

I don't think it's a conscious decision to drink or not drink, I guess it's just one of those things.

I think it's good to differentitiate drinking from getting drunk.

I don't like the taste of most alcoholic beverages and even then it doesn't agree with me - I just end up sick so I keep off it.

Certainly off the agenda now though due to a potential stomach ulcer (maybe that's why it never agreed with me?)

offaly1

I have to say i didn't drink till i was 18 (quite a while ago:eek::eek:) and even now i really do see the point in it! i Just drink on special occasions...so that could just be 3 r 4 times a year.... i prefer to have a clear head the next morning....nd I despise hangovers!! :( I also hate been drunk... its just not me, so whats the point?!?!?!
Have to say it doesn't go down well with some of my "friends", but then again if they were friends they would take me for who i am!!!!!!!!:D

BroomBurner

Same as other posters, can't find an alcoholic drink that I like. Also don't really like being drunk or sick, so giving it up wasn't difficult. Am off the booze now ~3 years Is good for a cheap night out though as friends will only let ya buy one round if you're drinking water. Plus, I can drive home

DJ_Spider

I work as a DJ and am always being offered drinks when working. Usually to make sure I play the song they asked for! But as I am learning to drive and Mrs Spider doesn't drink, (he da was an alcoholic and she loves driving) I am beginning to cut down my drinking. I do drink, but in fact since comming to Ireland I have cut down immensly.

I used to work in the UK in a pub doing karaoke & discos, we would get there about 7:15/7:30pm, set up, do the soundchecks, sort everything out etc and then start about 9:00pm. We would work til about midnight, then go on to a club til silly o'clock! Did that for 5 years, 4 nights a week!

I now notice you go out a lot later here and to me by the time you go to the pub, I would be well on the way to being locked in the UK! :eek: But I am now trying to cut down my drinking, (I did go to the last beers, but only drank about 5 pints from 7pm to 2am so not bad - not good either!) as when i pass my test I wont touch a drop. If I have one I want another and it not worth the risk drinking & driving. If you don't kill yourself you could kill someone else and I wouldn't want that on my conscience.

So would I be welcome at any of your events even though I am a drinker? +1 for getting the forum anyway!

thusspakeblixa

DJ_Spider wrote: »

So would I be welcome at any of your events even though I am a drinker? +1 for getting the forum anyway!

well I know there were a few drinkers at the last one, I'm sure you'd be more than welcome!

Feeonaw

All events are open to both drinkers and non drinkers! For more info on what the group is about just check out our websitehttp://www.nondrinkersgroup.com/

Some events are entirely non-drinking (Example: Non Drinking Table Quiz) and some events might be a non-drinking activity where people have the option to go to a pub afterwards if they want to (Example: Dublin Movie Club)

Feel free to come along to any event or even organise your own!

Bruno1

Hi, just came across this group yesterday, great idea, whoever came up with it!
I've never drank, like a lot of people here, I was turned off the idea when i was in school ( which is a while ago now), just wasn't into the whole 'getting completely plastered' competition it always seemed to be. Ever since then it's just been something I didn't do.
It would be great to chat to other non drinkers here simply because most of the time, people/friends talk to me about it as though it's something either amazing or odd. I've had a few people over the years who were ****ty about it, especially the 'how can you be any fun when you don't drink' thing, or worse 'I wouldn't trust someone who didn't drink' argument. I have to say though, a lot of people have been great about it.
Do any of you ever find that when someone discovers you don't drink, they kind of assume you're looking down on them?? That does turn me off, it's a pity people would think like that without talking to you a bit first.

Any posters here from Galway/Mayo/Sligo who are interested in organising something/meeting up I'd be happy to here from you.

geminilady

yeah i feel like they think i look them at them too. i always seem to notice some people's reaction changing when they realise im not drinking!!
well im from leitrim! but say there could be other connaught ones here too so we could try and arrange something if we have enough people! : )

I don't drink because I've never drank in my life. My dad is an alcoholic pretty much (not the stereotypical alcoholic thats constantly angry and beating his family kinda thing, but it just annoys me how much money he blows on it and it leaves him in a real messy state).

So i've never really wanted to drink. But also, i don't like the whole pub/club thing. I don't really like being in the company of people I'm not familiar with and i rarely even see the people i do know (i wouldn't say i've hung around with anyone in well over two months or so).

I think i've Social Anxiety Disorder, so yeah.

All that combines to pretty much being housebound and not really feeling up for doing anything, especially going to a crowded pub to drink.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

I think i've Social Anxiety Disorder, so yeah.

All that combines to pretty much being housebound and not really feeling up for doing anything, especially going to a crowded pub to drink.

I know what you mean, I'm really uncomfortable around people I don't know and it's horrible!

This will sound selfish and prick-like.. but I'm glad im not the only one :-/


Sorry about that though

Cabaal

I drink the very very odd time but for the most part I'd refer to myself as a non-drinker...in fairness I've gone to 5 wedding over the past 12 months and not drank at any of them.

The reason I don't, I guess it comes from the fact my family owned a pub so I saw the affects the drink had on customers from a young age and how some people wasted their lives, lost their familys/wifes etc bny drinking too much or just staying in a pub all day.

Feeonaw

Karsini wrote: »

I know what you mean, I'm really uncomfortable around people I don't know and it's horrible!

Just so yiz know - almost EVERYONE is uncomfortable around people they don't know!

Meeting new people can be a bit scary, but if you do want to get out of the house sometimes (and maybe find some people you'd like to get to know better) then it's something you just have to do! And who knows, you might have a great time.

There are lots of meet-ups happening over the next while. I think it would be a good idea to come along if you can.

entropi

Think i'll add my 2c then since i've never posted here before:

Non drinker my whole life, don't intend to either and thats been good enough for me so far. Don't get ill, feel i don't waste money on such a short term thrill and never seen the attraction it holds for alot of people

Oh and hello all

Ruu_Old

I mentioned in another thread, I don't drink and I don't judge others who drink. Now I used to go out, was a DJ for a while and friends used to be always at me to have a drink. I wish they would have understood instead of buying me something and then being pissed off when I rejected it. The state of majority of my friends at the end of each night was depressing. The lads were asleep in a plate of chicken burgers and chips and the women weren't much better hanging out of some lads arm roaring up the street. I would rather spend my money on something more worthwhile and that I can remember the next day. The cost of going out is ridiculous and I'd rather have a nice, posh dinner anyway.

cute_cow

Cabaal wrote: »

I drink the very very odd time but for the most part I'd refer to myself as a non-drinker

+1

I very rarely take a drink. I think the drink culture in this country is out of control. I just feel I have a better time if I go out and remember the night!!

I also hate the way people act when I say I don't drink, I think they would be less shocked if I stripped off and danced on the bar. I sometimes feel I have to justify why I don't drink. Its really annoying!!

mondeo

I dont drink, I have no desire to drink as I have seen alcohol destroy our family. No drink for me thanks, give me a seven up with ice anyday!

Good Luck

larryone

Since the new year, I've had:
Half of an aperitif given to me for free in a diner in Paris. (he was a little slow with the food)
A taste of a cocktail in Captain Americas.

Been a long time since I've been drunk. In some ways I do miss it a bit. I liked the taste of a good ale, stout, wine, whatever. I liked the feeling of being a bit tipsy.

Should I support an industry that makes millions off alcoholics every year? I'd rather not. I know it's not as sinister as the tobacco industry that needs to reel in enough addicts each year to replace the ones they kill, but I'd still rather not give my money to an industry that thrives on the destructive drink culture that has built up in this country.

carl-sagan

got fed up ..Didnt like how it made me feel. Thought what better way to rebel against the culture than not to drink. How weird is it that usually drinking is seen as an act of rebellion and defiance whereas in Ireland choosing not to drink seems like the more defiant rebellious stance to take..!

Bruno1

I sometimes feel I have to justify why I don't drink. Its really annoying!!

Dead right .... occasionally it's been made rather clear to me that I have to justify why I don't drink, this is usually the last night I spent in the company of those people though ...., it's no big deal so I can never understand why people would wish to make it one.
Once a person who was on to me about all of this told me that they wouldn't feel comfortable being out with a non drinker because they didn't want to be getting drunk while somebody they were out with was staying sober .... that really made me feel great about myself as you might imagine!!! Like i say, it's a small pity that sometimes people amke a deal of it when it isn't a big deal at all.

gipi

Hey folks,
Stumbled upon this forum last week, and was amazed and delighted to find it.

I was never into the "drinking culture" when younger. I socialised with many serious drinking folk when younger and couldn't see the attraction myself! My capacity for alcohol is quite low - 2 or maybe 3 glasses of wine at most, or 1.5 pints of lager is all I could take without being ill.

I have suffered from depression for many years, it comes and goes and is generally manageable without medication. But I always found that about 36 hours after a few drinks a very black cloud would land. Yep, it was the demon drink wot did it (or is that wot dun it?:D).

So anyhoo, I decided that I'm better off away from the stuff (the odd glass aside). Means I don't socialise as much as I probably should, because I'm not into the pub/drinking/getting pie-eyed scene.

But I've signed up for the movie club, and will keep an eye on events round here, so things are looking up!

kerfuffle

Hi everyone. Have just been reading through this forum and am interested in finding out more.

Firstly, I am a drinker. I like a few drinks now and then, usually in 'old man' type pubs or bars with good music. And I enjoy those drinks. But do feel distant from what an earlier poster described so eloquently as getting regularly 'rat-arsed'. Was looking at the threads for general (drinking) Boards drinks and felt a little depressed. Don't really fancy being really drunk with a bunch of people I have never met before. Do feel there is a big difference between binge drinking and a few drinks in good company.

So, basically am asking would I be welcome and what kinds of events take place, seem to be references to stuff that didn't then take place (such as Ghost Bus). Would be interested in the cinema club anyway.

unreggd

Yup! welcome away!

I think this forum is more about showing that you dont need alcohol to enjoy yourself, as opposed to being anti-alcohol

why dont ye try it yourself? the next time your at the bar, go on as you normally would, but jus dont drink any alcohol. If you rarely get rat-arsed then you shouldnt notice much of a difference

kerfuffle

Thanks! I do sometimes go to pubs and not drink alcohol. But would be interesting to see what it would be like to be in a whole group of non-drinkers in a pub environment. Would it be just the same as if I was in a cafe or would the fact that it is a pub make it a different kind of experience.......Curious now:rolleyes:

sarahf

Hi everyone,

Just had a quick read of the posts and they are v. interesting and amusing! I'm researching an article on people who don't drink and wondered if any of you would like to be interviewed for the piece?

My email address is sarahf80@hotmail.com

thanks and good luck,

Sarah

dave.omeara

Howdy all,

Firstly, I'd like to say it's great that someone thought to start this forum. I've suffered the same fate as a few of the others have as well. Gave up drinking and then gradually lost interest in going to the pub to watch my mates getting locked every weekend and after a while my mates all seemed to forget about me, so its nice that there is now an alternative.

I just had a really bad night once and said never again, or rather had it asked of me, and I stuck to it. Will power is an amazing thing, you know. Looking forward to any events being organised.

Dave

emy-87

I am so glad I found this thread!I have to admit my reason was selfish at first. When I was 17 my parents offered my money to not drink until I was 21. I am so glad I did it. I saw how stupid people become when they drink, and I do not like the idea of losing control of myself.I am a month off my 21st, and I really feel that I will be a very light drinker afterwards. I dont really see the point.Two more reasons; I live up the dublin mountains, I dont want to get a taxi up there by myself!And I recently found out I have an intolerance to yeast. So there you go! I am so happy there is a non-drinking group, I was beginning to think I was the only one.:D

faithy

Hi my name is Shana and im 23 and dont drink. I got put off once cos I drank too much one night and had to go to the hospital. And also my friends really put me off drink. They would get too hammered and make a show of me. Nowadays im really tempted to just drink and get it over with. I mean everyone socializes in pubs/nightclubs and I rarely go and it not healthy. I mean Im 23 and should be living my life so hopefully this forum can change my mind and hopefully I will get to meet new non drinkers.

ImDave

Hey folks, never posted here before. I'm going on 21 and decided to more or less give up drink about 3 months ago. I feel that the cons outweight the pros in a big way. I have found that alcohol acts as sort of a depressent rather than a stimulant with me, and I hate that because I am in no way a depressed type of person. A few months back I was out with friends on a normal night out and I just had a bit of a break down and after that I decided thats enough. When you weigh up the cost, effect on health and the effects the next day, it's just not worth it in my opinion.

up the town

What a brillaint idea, I stopped drinking over 2 years ago and it is near impossible to meet people outside of the pub. Im definitley up for meeting. Im from Dundalk and have no problem travelling as im always fit to drive:)

wes

Just stumbled upon this forum. Suffice to say I don't drink either and nice to find this place.

I don't drink, as I am Muslim. However, even with that I have never had any real interest in drinking. I personally don't find it appealing.