Alcohol; is it necessary for a healthy social life?

Question

It has become apparent to me that alcohol is the basis for a great deal of social interactions and friendships. So much so, that meeting the requirements of a happy and outgoing social life requires the need to drink. Would you have the social life you have now if you didn't drink? Do you have friendly relationships with people where you maintain that relationship without drinking? If so, how do you maintain such a relationship?

Answer 1

Good question... most people drink to take the edge off a hard day (helps them relax), limber up themselves to socialize (helps the relax) and gets rid of a few jitters they may have dealing with the opposite sex (helps them to relax). Seeing a trend? People rely on alcohol for its relaxing properties just like people rely on caffinne for waking up in the morning (for which few are completely innocent of). Its a means to an ends, although most don't really put much thought into the whys and just enjoy the effects.

As for having a good social life with drinkers, its easy. I used to hang out in a bar with friends I made there. I had NO trouble relaxing and never drank, but I was surrounded by people in every state between sober and dead drunk. In fact, people respected me for it because I kept my wits about me, stood firm in my decision not to and could help out if someone needed a drive home.

Moral of the story... Don't let the partiers rope you into thinking that drinking is the start and end of a social life. Its perfectly acceptable and viable to stay relaxed without drinking and not relying on a substance to aid in your social skills :P. I consider alcohol in social situations as a crutch, but make your own mind up what you think.

Answer 2

If alcohol really is a requirement for the relationships, then you have a problem with either the alcohol, or the relationships. You can not possibly be at your best when you are impaired by an alcoholic haze...and your "Friends" are not either. Maybe you should switch to straight Coke, without the rum, and see if your friends are really all that much fun...or are they getting a lot of help from Capt. Morgan.

Get into activities like skydiving, or something that would not be associated with drinking, and see where that leads...not all old drunks end up as funny as Norm from Cheers.

Answer 3

I quit drinking 9 years ago and I have no problem interacting with people socially. I have friends who drink and friends who don't drink and we all get along just fine and accept each other the way we are. Alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time, even though I used to think it was when I was younger. I guess growing up and feeling more comfortable with myself in social settings, I finally realized I didn't need to drink to be able to interact with people. I actually have better conversations with people now that I don't drink and I actually remember them the next day.

Answer 4

You most certainly can have a great social life without alcohol!!!!
My daughter, her boyfriend and two other friends went to a very expensive restaurant for Thanksgiving and there was no alcohol involved! A perfect occasion was had by all.

Alcohol is not the factor of a good time. But it can turn a good time into an embarrassing time or to memories that you will never forget because of impairment that it causes in the mind, and actions.

I went out to supper with friends last evening, NO ALCOHOL drank and had a great time. Yes, I would have the greatest of social life events and can go anywhere with my friends and not worry that I might get embarred by anyone of them because of what Alcohol does to you.

If your friends make you feel out of place because you do not partake of alcohol at any social event, I say they are pretty rude. That is your personal choice. If you feel like you HAVE TO partake in anything you know you should not do, moraly or otherwise, with so called friends, then you need to think of who are are calling your friends.

Answer 5

No alcohol is not necessary for a healthy social life. I have friends that don't drink and we have a blast hanging out with each other without drinking. Don't get me wrong sometimes it is fun to have a drink with some friends once in a while, but it is never required.

Answer 6

Well, drinking in general seems to be just an excuse to bring people together, and it seems to be a largely spread habit among humans, not because of it´s mind bending characteristics, but because it´s easy to find and cheap. So, for instance, you could gather your friends by arranging a trip to the beach, or a walk to the museum, or a parachute jump... But all those activities consume time and money over the relative amount you would consume by getting to the nearest bar and having a couple of beers. So, no, you don´t have to drink to maintain a healthy social life, but still you do have to manage activities by which you could gather everybody together and have fun. I think there are lots of them out there, just be creative. Regards, Gabriel.

Answer 7

Sadly, many people develop friendships based around drinking, and these are NOT true friendships. Booze tends to bring out the best, and worst in people. Many people drink because they arent comfortable in their own skin, and over time, they become increasingly bitter and unhappy when sober because they have depleted their body of seritonin. Honestly, watch people who drink a lot. They are seldom happy when sober, and are usually uncomfortable in social settings without booze, very sad!!!

Answer 8

Ummm...you talk, you dance, you have fun...Only sad people can't have relationships that don't revolve around booze. The occasional drink among friends is one thing, but if that is the only way you meet up or the only thing you do when you do see each other, then it is indeed a sad existance. Life isn't about who can become drunk the fastest or who can get drunk without puking up a lung....

Answer 9

that's a really hard one. i drink and i sometimes i even get drunk and i do find it hard to be around people that aren't only because i know that I'm going to act differently when I've had a few and i don't want to be embarrassed. i guess it just depends how drunk your friends get if it is just a few drinks at dinner then there is no problem but if they are drunk all the time you will get sick of quite quick I'm sure, as would i

Answer 10

I have notice this too. So lately when I go out to watch a friends band at a bar. I have one or two drinks if that & watch all the others around me get stupid drunk. It is kinda fun watching people get out of control. I have found it to be entertaining. Try it you might like it too.