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Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

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Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#21
It’s really weird how a generation that is more conscious of the downsides of alcohol is somehow portrayed negatively. Are people really that insecure about their personal choices in alcohol consumption?

I don’t see why a more deliberate approach to alcohol is problematic.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#22

Question: Why has smoking all but been extinguished and is now viewed as gross and trashy (as it should), while alcohol has retained its glamour? Do governments need to start mandating pictures of people with alcohol poisoning on every bottle and can? Do restaurants need to start banning alcohol from their venues?

Smoking indoors has a direct and significant effect on people who have no choice in the matter. The “gross and trashy” attitude for an occasional smoker doesn’t really exist all that widely, but a few people are really into it.

The weird binge drinking attitude of Americans needs to be toned down but it’s really a cultural thing encouraged with the high legal drinking age and various inhibitions against, say, a beer at lunch. For most people there’s nothing at all wrong with light or occasionally moderate drinking.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#23
post #6

Good for them; hope they are happy. Very much doubt that unfortunately. Something will take the place of drinks most likely. Hope it’s healthier but also doubt that.

As someone who doesn't drink alcohol, I'm quite happy with my life.

I'm not sure you could say anything took the place of it. I work in computer security (lots of alcohol use there). I go to furry conventions (lots of alcohol use there).

I live with the same group of friends I've had for 10+ years. None of us drink alcohol. We all have our own careers but none of us overwork.

The only notable difference between us and the social alcohol drinkers is we save a few hundred dollars a month that would otherwise go to a bar tab.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#24

I'll say why I am. I don't even know what it's like to be under the influence of alcohol...and I love it. The type of social situations with a bunch of people laughing and tipsy is repulsive to me. I have been to a few such situations and it is universally a waste of time.

Sounds a bit like what you love is feeling superior.

I’m unsure if you intended for your comment to be condescending, but it certainly came across that way. I very rarely drink these days, but I also don’t judge other people for doing so.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#25
post #18
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it's one person they interviewed, citing concerns about predatory men and vilification of women that are drunk. I agree that's a peripheral topic and not really a sobriety topic. But, the article doesn't seem to push it much beyond one person's reason.

That person said, paraphrased, that if a drunk woman cheats then the woman gets blamed for infidelity (implying it’s somehow someone else’s fault, maybe her partner or the person she hooks up with?). Yes, if you cheat, you are a cheater. Guess I’m too old to follow her reasoning beyond that.

She did phrase that poorly, but starts with "you get a harsher punishment for poor decisions", I assume she means in comparison to men.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#27
The pub scene got boring quickly after the initial thrill, and then my 30s hit and even 1 drink had miserable gastrointestinal consequences.

I can't really think of any cherished memories formed with the help of alcohol, but I have plenty without it

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#29
post #6

Good for them; hope they are happy. Very much doubt that unfortunately. Something will take the place of drinks most likely. Hope it’s healthier but also doubt that.

As someone who doesn't drink alcohol, I'm quite happy with my life. I'm not sure you could say anything took the place of it. I work in computer security (lots of alcohol use there). I go to furry conventions (lots of alcohol use there). I live with the same group of friends I've had for 10+ years. None of us drink alcohol. We all have our own careers but none of us overwork. The only notable difference between us an…

I know there are many happy people not drinking or using drugs and that’s great. I wish I would’ve been one. But of all students, 1/3rd seems very hard to not have any (most or significant) of those 100ks in the article to do something else that’s addictive and unhealthy; eat, dope, etc.

Re: Reasons young people are choosing sobriety

#30
When I was in my 20s, I drank socially from time to time and even occasionally by myself. As I've grown older, I pretty much stopped:

- I've found that the pressures of "adult" responsibilities (kids, real career, etc) leave little time for it

- I want to model good behavior for my kids, and in particular, I don't want my kids to see me drinking or drunk

- I'm in the back half of my 30s now - I've realized that the time ahead of me is limited - and I still have a ton of stuff I want to accomplish. Spending that time with dulled senses or on dealing with hangovers just seems wasteful and pointless

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