As others have said, you need friends who don't drink.
From there, you go have fun. Shortly you begin to wonder why people think drinking is tied to fun at all.
Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
201–208 of 208 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#202Earlier quoted context omitted.
Among primary English speakers, “alcoholic” almost always refers to abusive drinking. I can’t imagine using “alcoholic” to describe people who consume alcohol in moderation. And I am around a lot of teetotalers.
In the context of 23 year-olds, I think it's safe to say that none of them are actual alcoholics, just that they drink A LOT, as many people at that age do.
How is that safe to say? There are plenty of 23-year-old alcoholics, having lost control over their alcohol consumption, in full-blown physical and/or psychological addiction. You don't have to age into it, or take a test, or carry a card. It just happens to you.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#203You need a new group of friends, firstly. It sucks to say, but people who need to drink to have fun will always drag you along that path. It doesn't matter if it's a night on the town, or a board game night, they will always want booze around. Also, they will probably pressure you to drink, because that's what gives them permission to. So find new people who don't drink. Do the normal things you would do, but without…
>You need a new group of friends, firstly. This is absolutely horrible advice. Alienating yourself from all of your friends simply because you don't want to drink the same things as them is not a good idea. If you don't want alcohol, then just don't drink it? I have been to many, many, many music festivals, parties, etc. and not drank anything. I can't imagine just exiling myself from all of my friends instead of sim…
I mean... First, you don't have to alienate yourself from your old friends in order to meet new people. Second, you don't have to make "left the group" reach the level of alienating.
People comes and goes, booze night can be fun at times. But if it stopped been fun, then your decision of leaving should be honored. Otherwise, the relationship is unhealthy and needs adjustment.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#204You need a new group of friends, firstly. It sucks to say, but people who need to drink to have fun will always drag you along that path. It doesn't matter if it's a night on the town, or a board game night, they will always want booze around. Also, they will probably pressure you to drink, because that's what gives them permission to. So find new people who don't drink. Do the normal things you would do, but without…
Not true at all. I quit years ago and for a long time continued to hang out, go clubbing, party without any alcohol or drugs with the same group of friends.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#205The best nights I remember from my 20s were late night hacking sessions.
No alcohol (or friends) required.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#206Find new friends then, that's not true friendship. I mostly do gaming, solo or with my friends, spend my time with girlfriend doing all sort of stuff, or spend time with friends or family. Also have 3 cats and I have a lot of fun playing with them.
If you have friends that drink they are not real friends? Honestly I never rarely see my friends without drinking: I'm just not particularly interested in socializing unless I'm buzzed. But it works out great, I drink one night a week and hang out with people and then am not distracted the rest of the week and can work.
I mean, if it's the only way you can have fun with them, why even bother with them?
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#207Social fun during the day is fairly easy, do sports or crossfit. Social fun at night? That's trickier since most people are spent at the end of the day. Go restaurant exploring later at night, like 8:30 or 9 instead of 6, maybe camping, or have backyard bonfires. I can relate to your question, because before my friends discovered alcohol, they'd be game for an 10pm inline hockey match, but after it was alcohol or nothing -- of course they've all moved away at this point, or are busy with kids to hang out much, but that's how it goes.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#208I`m 41 now and sober for almost 5 years. When I started drinking at around fourteen we were always a bunch of people going to partys, festivals, disco and such things it was fun at the beginning. We continued drinking, and I think I never had a whole month without alcohol or getting drunk after I was 20, until around my 35th birthday. Then I just stoped everything, smoking cigarettes, drinking, all the "fun" stuff. B…
I hope you still listen to metal though! :)