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I grew up around a lot of alcoholics - it actually runs in my family. My mother and father have been split up since I was a baby - on opposide sides of the country. My dad only drinks once or twice a year, socially. My mom and step-dad drank all the time and were very open about it - letting me try things, etc. When I was a teenager, I stopped trying drinks and abstained 100%, even after my mom offered to buy me whatever I wanted. Her goal/theory was to teach me how to be responsible/mature with alcohol by learning to drink just one, etc... Instead of learning with my friends and getting wasted. Well, I hated drunks, hated drunk driving, hated so many things about it... So I found a group of kids who knew how to have fun without it, and even after most of them started drinking (later than average), I still abstained. Anyway, to the point... In my early 20's, I opened up a little, learned my limits, learned my preferences (I really don't like beer, but hard cider and mixed drinks are great - I like sour drinks like Margaritas and Whiskey Sours), etc... And that's when I learned the benefits of light usage. I enjoyed myself a lot more and found my altered state of mind liberating to a degree (less social inhibition, but I also feel like I can think clearer/faster when I am just a little tipsy). If you believe you could be an alcoholic, then don't start... But otherwise, I'd recommend you break down some of those barriers you have against it - keep to a goal of only drinking once a month, and only 2 beers/ciders or one mixed drink until you are comfortable/stable. Last - To the person who said they've only tried Bud Light - no wonder you don't like to drink... lol... Not exactly the cream-of-the-crop. |