Binge drinking?

ChaseAlder

If binge drinking if the question, the answer is yes.

ZozoMonster

I don't really even go out any more because of my new found weight loss/fitness obsession. That sucks balls. I barely socialise anymore. And whenever I do go out I just find myself obsessing over wasted calories

rougecrayon

Also, if you get a beer, you can continue to fill it with water to make it look like you are drinking.

Your post was great except for this. This is some sort of blasphemous heretic infidel something really bad and wicked way of speaking. Also it sounds gross. And upsetting. I'm upset. I'm upset and I rarely even drink anymore.

This world. What is it coming to?

(But overall, great advice!)

Haha! I know! I rarely have beer, but when I do I don't want it to be watered down.

Gross...

I meant just fill an empty beer bottle. The colour of the bottle will make it look always like beer.

doc800

Well, to make you feel better I am 47 and the same scene holds true. Many of my friends hate if I don't drink with them and have flat out said if I am not going to drink at the pub, then don't bother showing up. So, I belong to a gym that has yoga, spin classes and such. I am slowly seeking healthier minded people. You need not explain why you don't drink, remember misery loves company. You will be far better off on your new path.

k8eekins

I go on nights out maybe once or twice a month at this point. I used to drink a lot more, maybe a bottle of vodka, on these nights. Now, when I have a night out I drink anywhere from a quarter bottle to a half bottle (15 units), with soda and lime or diet coke. I always log it.

I'm 20 years old, and all my friends go out a couple times a week, as I used to too. But now that I'm making an effort to be healthier overall, which includes drinking less, I feel like I'm being left out. My friends think it's weird that I don't drink like I used to... When I go out with them and don't drink, they don't like it. I love being able to remember going home, I love not being a complete hungover mess the next day, and I love feeling healthier. It's like they can't support my new healthier lifestyle.

Has anyone else felt left out now they drink less? Do you have any advice for me?

Never felt nor do I ever feel left out, amongst my friends (some of whom) qualify as binge-drinkers, for it's all about how you commandeer yourself as you work through and amongst your circle of friends. If you highlight NOT drinking then they'll be all eyes to take notice.

What I'd started doing well before hitting my 20s (where drinking was permissible by law) was that I'd request for a cocktail glass (depending on the venue) only turned mocktail (strictly non-alcoholic).

Subtle adjustments ... Transitionally smooth, just so that if you so decide to enjoy a martini or some other vodka/gin cocktail and other varieties (in your immediate future), there is still that flexibility.

Have fun!

Edit: Typo

CollegiateGrief

You could offer to DD them. Then you can't drink too much.

funneltube

Ok technically, you are not old enough to drink if you are 20. Assuming you meant to say you were 21, the following points are offered. Drinking with your friends is fun. I was once a highly trained athlete, used to go out drinking with my not-so-buffed friends. I would order a mixed drink on the rocks, tipped the bartender well, then the next several drinks were just soda water on the rocks. My friends were blissfully unaware. Try that. If your friends cannot cope, and you are committed to a new approach, you will probably be making new friends with your similar interests, Good luck!

Annatmj

If you're having 15 units but not 15 drinks, then I assume you're on doubles?

Simple solution, drink singles instead. Immediately you've halved your alcohol intake and your calories.

And if you're having single vodka and diet coke (approx 50 calories) it's difficult to tell if there's any alcohol in it at all and you can easily switch to plain old diet coke when you feel like it.

Also, lol all the telling off over 'underage' drinking.

Timshel_

I feel like I'm being left out. My friends think it's weird that I don't drink like I used to. I'm still BINGE drinking when I go out though, which is obviously not the healthiest... When I go out with them and don't drink, they don't like it. I love being able to remember going home, I love not being a complete hungover mess the next day, and I love feeling healthier. It's like they can't support my new healthier lifestyle. Socialising to people my age seems to revolve around alcohol. I've asked some of my friends to come to the cinema, or go bowling or whatever, and it doesn't appeal to them. :frown:

Has anyone else felt left out now they drink less? Do you have any advice for me?

Been there. The older person perspective is, there are always good friends out there that will support you. It might be you are ready to move on from the friends you had as a kid and embrace people that fit your new life. You may also find that you can lead by example, and other friends you have now start following your lead when they see that going out and getting completely pissed all the time does nothing for you.

Tough transition in life at that age, but you sound like your head is in the right place. It'll be whatever it is, with whoever you end up with as friends. New and old. It's all good.

Best of luck.

jessmart83

So sorry to hear that your friends don't support your non drinking. I get left out a lot too with my friends now that I have limited my drinking to maybe once a month or less. When I do go out with them, guess who the DD always ends up being? At least I know they all get home safe now, but its not always fun.

danika2point0

I know the feeling! I actually do like going out and partying and usually do at least once a week but it sucks if you feel *pressure* to drink and you just don't want to. I have had a couple of friends who would really lay into me if I was not drinking. I know that it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with them and their own relationship to booze. I used to be the same way honestly and I could not understand someone not drinking. Needless to say, you can either persevere with the friendship and only meet those types of friends for nights out or you can sort of just let the friendship go (not in a negative way but sometimes you grow apart). Things I have found that help me are to suggest new activities - I know you said they don't tend to go for that but you also mentioned one friend going to the gym with you. As you start to change, you might sort of weed out friends but also find that some of the other people you're out with have interest in doing other things, too - shopping, cinema, tea, running a 5K (you can meet and train together!), hiking, museums? I've started to learn that just because you were friends once and have a 'fun' shared history, doesn't mean you have to be best buds for life. Good luck x

danelledawnc

Underage and admittedly openly about being a binge drinker is not a good sign. Put the booze down and find friends who don't partake. I used to binge drink and cleaned up. Yes I lost friends and felt like a lost lamb for a month but then decided they're losers who can't afford to do anything extra like go on vacations bc they spend all their money on something the will urinate in 20 minutes. Your liver is more important than that good luck

I'm not underage... I live in Northern Ireland. The legal drinking age in the UK is 18.
My friends who enjoy drinking are not losers.

Honey, Thank you for your reply to someone who apparently completely flipped the coin. There is absolutely no need for being condescending to anyone under any circumstances! It really irritates me when the pot calls the kettle black; just because she gave up drinking, does not mean it gives her the right to judge you or your friends. Your friends are NOT losers, you are NOT a loser - you are young and full of life - most all of us go through that phase in life, those who don't, I "tip my hat to you." It's hard, but you are only young once. I binged quite regularly after my cousin died when I was 21, all my friends too, I am now 33 and only indulge 2 time a month. The binging lasted for about 1-2 years, then everyone started growing up, getting married, having kids and slowly alcohol was not and is not so much of a factor in our lives. Don't get me wrong, I like to have a nice buzz, but that's as far as I take it anymore (especially when the hangovers started lasting 2 days). There is NOTHING wrong with it! Remember the most important thing in life is to ENJOY IT! We have a very short time on this planet; do what it takes to make YOU happy As for me most days alcohol is not worth it, other days the mood just hits me right with some good tunes and good music, a boat and happy friends. As long as you are in control of yourself, who cares what you do or don't drink. Your friends will get it, maybe not as fast as you, but they will catch on (especially when they start gaining weight from their bad habits). Always make sure you enjoy your life - don't fret about everything all the time, you will end up regretting it.

wikitbikit

Gross...

I meant just fill an empty beer bottle. The colour of the bottle will make it look always like beer.

Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't even think about it coming in a bottle. Back in my drinking days I always got beer on draft, lol