Alcohol Awareness Week

Comments

• DonnerKebab Posts: 1,612 Extreme Poster

  July 8 edited July 8

  pints are too expensive, dispensable income is lower than it's ever been, especially for the young, so for many it's not really choice. I remember going to the pub in an hour break between uni lectures, and pints just got more and more expensive over time until i had to drop to a half pint between said lectures. I actually did my finest work at uni after a quick pint. Factor in all living expenses and lower salaries now, and it's not viable for so many like it used to be. The reason for the reduction in drinking is not good at all, and you're gonna have waves of people who as soon as they get to middle class status, or get to have disposable income start to go crazy drinking catching up for years lost. Did the poll in question ever ask why? Because i feel this isn't a positive thing, it's a ticking time bomb, which is gonna cause all sorts of issues later down the line. I hope I'm wrong and it's a increase in personal choice, but i doubt it, and i fear we'll have waves of alcoholism later down the line.
  
  I should say i don't drink now, Only for major events, which is rare.

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• independent_ Community Connector Posts: 9,824 Supreme Poster

  July 8

  I definitely think @DonnerKebab is right in that some of the reduction in drinking among young people is due to cost. I have a friend who rarely drinks, partly because she doesn’t really like the taste of anything other than sourz, but also partly because it costs too much and it’s out of her budget. She has said before she might have two instead of one if it cost a bit less.
  
  I do drink, it’s one of the small luxuries I do spend my money on, but then again I’m happy with cheap wine from the supermarket. Going to the pub is great for socialising, but I have spent £40 on rounds of drinks before, which is not sustainable long term.
  
  I think a lot of young people are right into fitness and things these days too, so alcohol doesn’t really align with that - you can tell I’m not one of those people, though I am trying to be a little healthier.
  
  Some people also have negative past experiences with it, either because they got too drunk one time and it made them ill, or a family member has a bad relationship with it.
  
  I have also noticed over the past couple of years that drinking culture has changed a lot among young people. Among those my age I know who do drink, I am in a minority in that I will have one or 2 drinks at home. A lot of young people only drink when they go out, but that means excessive drinking every single time they drink. I have a friend like this too.

  “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”

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• ellie2000 Posts: 4,736 The Mix Elder

  July 8

  Drinking alcohol is bad, it makes ppl depressed, n worse if they r already. Buried memories n thoughts come to the top its not a solution

  Crazy mad insane

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• AnonymousToe Posts: 2,708 Boards Guru

  July 8

  I don’t intend to drink ever. It’s bad for your health and I feel like I’d get addicted and it’d spiral out of control. I don’t want to risk it. It helps that my parents don’t drink and I’ve never seen people drinking or been in that kind of environment. I’m also too socially anxious etc to go to the social events where people would drink. And there’s no way I’m drinking on my meds because I can’t deal with messing that up. I don’t really feel like I’m missing out to be honest

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• Sian321 Community Manager Posts: 1,927 Extreme Poster

  July 9

  Really great to hear all your opinions everyone! Keep them coming!

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• Owen Community Manager Posts: 10 Settling in

  July 9

  Hey thank you so much for your responses, really interesting. And that is a good point about the 'why'? Just looking at NHS stats (linked on this page) and it does not ask that. So your insight is even more valuable!
  
  https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/continued-decline-in-youth-drinking-no-cause-for-complacency
  
  Good to hear your thoughts on the effects of alcohol too - we also have an interesting article here......
  [url="http://"]https://www.themix.org.uk/explore-our-topics/drink-and-drugs/?topics=alcohol#listing[/url]

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• Amy22 Posts: 5,308 Part of The Furniture

  July 9

  I have definitely seen a big decrease in younger people drinking as @independent_ mentioned partially due to the cost of living and stuff. Also,.I think people are becoming more health conscious too as sometimes alcohol can lead to health problems later on in life (eventhough not everyone gets affected by it, it depends how much you consume and stuff i think). As I say it's okay to drink but to drink responsibily and in moderation too (it's okay to have some as a treat now and then).
  
  As for me I'm not really a huge fan of drinking spirits or alcohol in general as I'm not fond of the taste (plus I'm already hyper as it is when I drink Pepsi max 😂 😝 so having a drink would make me more hyper). I think the only time I will drink is at special occasions, Christmas etc because for me it's like a treat, plus booze is so expensive at the moment too. I do love a nice cider now and then or the odd martini at christmas, especially cider in this hot weather, its refreshing and cooling. However I tend to drink more water and soft drinks more mainly because of staying hydrated and being on medication as well.

  Just a person who likes pop culture and films

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• Leyla Community Manager Posts: 241 Trailblazer

  July 10

  To round up some of what we've seen from your comments!
  
  There's a lot of insight from you all here, with @DonnerKebab @independent_ and @Amy22 mentioning less money and disposable income for everyone, so it not being a choice as such and an indicator of bigger problems in the world
  
  @ellie2000 @AnonymousToe @Amy22 Have pointed out some reasons why people may make the choice not to drink such as social anxiety, it not being good for your health when used to excess, and it also interfering with medication for a lot of people (which I actually hadnt considered so thank you for pointing that one out!)
  
  There were also mentions of bad experiences with alcohol whether that is yourself or family members, and I think it's true that even one bad experience can be a huge put off, which is so valid!
  
  As a follow-up question, I wonder if you all had any insights on how you feel about the culture surrounding drinking at the moment? As in, do you feel comfy speaking about not wanting a drink right now, or having a drink if the group you're with might not to?
  
  I know in the past it could be seen as something you 'had' to do in a social situation - I wonder where it sits now in your experiences?

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• ellie2000 Posts: 4,736 The Mix Elder

  July 10 edited July 10

  @Leyla wen u drink ur brain goes into defence mode, it says 'i dont like this' n it switches off n teleport safely tucked up in bed. i dont drink anymore coz life is kindof gd

  Crazy mad insane

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