Alcohol; the Cause of and Solution to all of Life's Problems

[mrcool37]

Looks like there's alot of different views on the subject with lots of people wanting to have a say, so I've made a thread about it so the 'ticks you off' thread can continue as normal.

What are your thoughts on alcohol? Do you like it? If not, then why not?

As said previously, in my high school years I was a staunchly against anything that was considered an illicit substance, which also included alcohol. Fom years 10 through to 12 I'd go to parties completely sober and watch everyone make an idiot of themselves around me. People spewing everywhere, not able to put two words together. Yet this was considered 'fun to do.'

I was horrified. Why would I ever want to drink if I would end up like this? So from these observations, I was heavily against drinking from a young age.

Then, I finally decided to give it a go (final term year 12), and lo and behold, it was, and still is, a pretty damn fun thing to do, as long as you do it properly (which no one around me at the time seemed to be doing).

Which brings me to what is now known as the question that simply shouldn't be asked, why don't you drink alcohol?

The most popular responses as to why people from PALGN don't drink alcohol:

*It's expensive
*It tastes horrible
*It makes people feel horrible

but there's two particular reasons that really irk me:

*People don't like being 'mentally incontinent'
*It's unhealthy for you

I've copped a bit of criticism over it, but I seriously consider these two reasons as a bit of a childish and uneducated assumption based on inexperience with alcohol. I say this because these were also my exact reasons for not wanting to drink alcohol back in high school.

Beer was my first experience. It tasted dirty, made me feel sick and bloated, and I felt that if I kept drinking it I would end up on the floor spewing my guts up. Not a very healthy thing to be doing.

But then I found spirits, in particular Bundy rum (which I can happily say I'll never drink again) I gave it a go properly over a few pool and card nights, and whaddaya know; it was way too much fun for my own good. And that's because I was going about it the right way.

The whole poisonous/mentailty incontinent argument I now see purely as a scare tactic instilled in people's minds who have always been on the fence towards drinking. Because if you go about everything the right way, you will in fact never experience these feelings.

People who decide take up drinking for the first time will of course feel woozy and sick. I think it's because your body has been introduced to something that's new and is naturally trying to reject it. Kind of like a vegetarian that finally decides to try meat. They feel awfully sick after trying it. Billions of people eat meat and don't get sick. It isn't bad for you at all. But it makes them feel sick, but that's purely because their body isn't used to it and is trying to reject it.

So I feel that people who try it once and complain shouldn't let that be the be-all-and-end-all attitude towards drinking. It's an acquired taste for your body.

Then there's the 'mentally incontinent' argument. Experienced drinkers will know that it won't make you feel this way at all, that is unless you play a game of King's cup and lose in the first 10 minutes. If you drink a fair amount but still be responsible about it (drinks over time etc), you will still be in control of what you're doing, whilst being technically 'drunk'

People who don't drink loathe at the thought of people trying their best to convince them otherwise. But as drinkers, we just feel that you are just seriously missing out on some ridiculously fun times ahead, and we feel that it is our duty to make sure you're living a fun life with no regrets. And alcohol is definitely something I would regret never giving a serious, yet responsible go. Life's pretty straight without twisties, I mean alcohol. I think Sinthesys summed it up nicely:

[IHateFrasierCrane]

I'd write a coherent reply, but i'm too drunk.
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[mrpookles]

I love having a beer. My two main non-gaming hobbies are watching sport and music - 2 activities that that are best-enjoyed with a coldy.

I don't see as much live music now as I did in the 3 years after high school, but I've got fond memories (blurry as they may be) of getting tanked and watching some great bands.

I quit smoking 3 years ago, I go to the gym 6 days a week, I eat fairly healthily... I'm not sure what's wrong with sitting around in the comfort of my own place or with some mates and gobbling a few pints or cans from time to time.

[lapzod]

Alcohol is broken down to acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde is rapidly converted to acetate by other enzymes and is eventually metabolized to carbon dioxide and water.

Although the liver is the primary site for breakdown of alcohol, the testes also possesses the necessary enzymes. This ability of the testes to breakdown alcohol to acetaldehyde is documented in articles published in the Alcoholism and Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology. Apparently, the enzymes that help breakdown alcohol are also required for testosterone production. In the presence of alcohol, these enzymes in the testes are diverted to alcohol breakdown and not help testosterone production. This leads to a reduction in testosterone levels over time.

According to studies in Journal Alcohol and in Bone Journal, drinking resulted in higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It lasted for 4 hours after the first drink and remained elevated for 24 hours. Cortisol acts directly on cells in the testes to inhibit the production and release of testosterone.

Stress hormones in our bodies help us during panic situations or “fight or flight” situations. In such conditions, the body shuts off the reproductive system by suppressing testosterone to channel blood into the muscles.


In conclusion drinking lowers your test levels. To build muscle you need test.
It's why I gave up drinking.

[FalconDude]

Unfortunately many people who drink regularly were introduced to this way of life from early age by parents, relatives etc. Of course this includes smoking and other substance abuse.

I am one of those people brought up to believe drinking is normal. I love to drink. But at my age (39 in 2 months) the side effects of drinking are becoming worse and worse. Some people on here know some personally history of mine that I wont to into extensively, but last year I had a seriously disturbing experience in my life, because I was drunk.

But saying that, as MrCool points out, if you keep it at a safe level, you should stay out of trouble. But there also is the long term affects to think about.

Anyway I have to admit drinking makes feel great, and as I grow older, the need to control the amount i drink is more and more important. I doubt I will ever give it up totally.
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Trade Games Here

[Aussie XP]

I enjoy having a drink with friends, I just don't over do it to the point of throwing up. As soon as its not fun I stop, or most nights I just have a few to loosen me up a bit.

I have some "high and mighty" friends who look down on me for drinking, which to be honest really annoys me. Now I know how annoying it must be for a smoker to constantly be told its bad for them (granted I hate smoking and it affects other people) when I'm sure they are well aware of the risks. Drinking isn't as bad but its a similar sort of thing. They use the argument "oh i don't like not being in control".......unless your a complete lightweight, or you drink MORE than your personal limit, your totally in control, this is just an assumption that people who don't drink have.
As I said in the other thread, I don't seem to get very drunk, or at least what I think is drunk easily. After consuming up to 15-20 standard drinks I'm still very much able to make mature rational decisions, even aiding friends who have taken things too far. People can never tell if I'm drunk or not (or my definition of drunk) because I don't act like a jackass flailing my arms and yelling like a moron, I stay in control. I just don't see it as a logical argument at all as the typical drunk people you see who appear to have no control, are really just idiots and theres probably a lot of placebo involved in how they act.

As for the taste of it, well its an acquired taste. If you don't like it, then you probably never will if you don't gradually start having a few, but I can 100% guarantee that everyone can easily start to like it if introduced properly. At first when I had a few drinks in high school, offcourse I didn't really like the taste, I was just a dumbass teen who wanted to get drunk. But these days I enjoy a drink to the point where I have a few just to enjoy it, rather than get drunk.
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[StorminNorman]

It's un-Australian to drink less than one beer a day.

I used to be pretty anti-drinking, but then I turned 18 and I haven't looked back since.
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Twitter | XBL: Tamaaya | PSN: stormo | GameCentre/Steam: StorminNorman

[Benza]

All I'm saying is there are two choices.

Either I watch movies like big titted zombies sober.

Or I stop watching movies like big titted zombies.

Neither of those really apeal to me. So hand me the booze.
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[grim-one]

[mrcool37]

The 'childish and uneducated' point was solely aimed towards being 'mentally impaired' and alcohol being 'poison', that line should've been further down the page, after I only gave my ideas against those two points. Of course you can't argue that it's expensive.

[Sinthesys]

[FalconDude]

Speaking of taste.

I loved the taste of beer when I was only 12 years old. No I didn't drink at that age, I was allowed to have a sip.

I hated the taste of olives as a kid and in my 20's. They were way too salty, but now I love them.
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Trade Games Here

[admeister]

[mrcool37]

I don't think he literally meant 'lightweight' as light in weight. Moreso softness, HTFU etc.

Can totally relate with Sinthesys, I used to hate tomatoes and cucumber not so long ago too!

[G3ck0]

Heh, with a BMI of less than 16, even one beer can make me pretty tipsy, it's kind of pathetic, but fun at the same time

[Ramblerun]

Although you are entitled to your opinions, I still don't understand why you are attacking the people that have a different view to yours. Saying things like 'childish' and 'uneducated' are in my opinion the epitome of a horrible argument.

A lot of your argument seems to revolve around getting used to it or doing it properly. I can only ask why would someone want to endure at something that gives them no joy in the first place until they get used to it or dependant on it?
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Most Anticipated: Deponia - Kaptain Brawe

[mrpookles]

Yeah, I remember my mum giving me a solitary Crownie when I was 15 at Xmas. Had one mouthful and nearly spewed at the taste. I now enjoy the taste of beer.

Also hated coffee up until a couple of years ago and now absolutely love it. Same with olives, sundried tomatoes, etc.

I wouldn't write off booze on the taste when you're a teenager.

[Benza]

[Macka]

It's up to you whether you drink or not, but anyone who denies themselves alcohol is honestly missing out. You can definitely have fun without it, but you can have a completely different kind of fun while under the influence.

I know a few guys who are anti-drinking, and it's always the same arguments. Guess what guys, as long as you drink responsibly, you will be fine. As for the horrible taste argument - you develop the taste. I hated beer when I first tried it, but it grew on me. Now I couldn't imagine watching the footy without a VB.

You only live once, so don't have any regrets.
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[Ramblerun]

[Benza]

[Sinthesys]

[Ramblerun]

[Sinthesys]

Because it provides additional benefits besides taste?
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GT: Da Herbalist - Keep on Choppin'

[Aussie XP]

Its been clear to me over the years that you just can't convince some people no matter what, to even try it. Bottom line is, when I'm lying on my deathbed, I'm going to regret the things I didn't do more than the things I did. I truly feel if you haven't had a few drunken experiences with your closest buddies, your missing out on some good memories. As long as you don't over do it.

Drinking is a very sociable thing to do. I'm not dependent on it, I have a set of drinking mates, and a set of gaming mates basically so I balance things out that way. But some people seem to think its the bane of all evil or something....it's not like smoking, your not going to get dependent on it unless you let yourself go down that road.
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