For centuries, alcohol in all its different forms has had a place in society. Drunk as ale in the Western world during Medieval Times to its now global presence for everyone; be it red wine or a lager, we’re taught we should all pick our poison to the point where alcohol can be seen in many ways. Perhaps as a tool to let your hair down, or more dangerously as part of a trapping, vicious cycle. I could never judge someone for their preference on alcohol and appreciate that it’s a lifestyle choice and only an individual can make that choice for themselves; whether you drink or not, whatever the situation, I’m afraid I won’t be raising a glass with you. Here’s why:
- I’ve seen the way alcohol is something people rely upon
I know it isn’t true of all cases, but the profound drinking culture younger British society has means that people value alcohol and possibly drugs as a social crutch for their behaviour. Instead of enjoying the situation for what it is, we’re taught from a young age that booze and heavy drinking is essential to the party scene, essential to having a good time and if you don’t drink, you’re something of an unsociable freak. Whenever I go to parties and places with my friends where there is drinking involved, I’m asked why I don’t join in. Why should I? It’s been estimated that teenagers are five times more likely to drink if their friends do, and although now’s the time to explore and find yourself as a person, I personally don’t think letting something having an impact on your personality is a good way to discover who you are when you are growing up.
- As alcohol is common in social situations, people forget how addictive it is
Again, the way society and the government have normalised alcohol (partly due to how long it’s been around, but also because of alcohol businesses putting pressure on the government for advertising) has stopped us from viewing it as addictive. What starts off as just enough to get you tipsy at a party can work its way into becoming a glass or two of wine before bed, until someone needs to drink as soon as they wake up, therefore boosting the number of alcohol related concerns and alcohol-dependency in the UK. This is far more than just an opinion; in 2015/2016 208,277 men and 98,970 women in England had been admitted to hospital as a direct result of an alcohol related condition, which is 60% higher than the 2014/2015 period. At the end of the day, no matter how much we can legally buy, alcohol will always be a drug that changes the natural chemistry of our bodies, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst.
- I like feeling in control of my behaviour to the point where being drunk isn’t something I could enjoy
I’ll be honest: like most of the population, I dislike being used, manipulated or influenced negatively and alcohol is a slippery slope. There is a reason as to why we aren’t allowed to drive cars, our biggest, most lethal everyday tool, when we’ve had over a certain amount to drink. It’s hardly as innocent as it seems. My inhibitions and what I do or don’t do should be up to me, and alcohol shouldn’t have a monopoly on my actions. The 2009 Chief Medical Officer reported that teenagers who drink heavily are most at risk, with abnormalities in the areas of the brain dealing with interpersonal actions, drive and motivation and reasoning, all stemming from heavy drinking under the age of 20. This is one of the key drawbacks that, for me, make alcohol a risk I personally would not take.
All in all, I want to tame my mind and want to mature into someone who is responsible enough to know what they’re doing and can let themselves go without being put at risk. It ultimately comes down to me finding peace with myself and my actions away from something that can have a concerning amount of power over me. Perhaps my desire not to drink stems from a more spiritual goal to improve my behaviour and to look after myself, and perhaps if alcohol was less addictive, less unhealthy and less controlling I could consider drinking, but for now I’ve decided that alcohol isn’t for me and that’s a choice I have the right to make.
Photo source: https://pixabay.com/en/beer-mug-refreshment-beer-mug-2439237/
