When I first came to university, I was a bit of a party animal. Not a crazy one.. But I did really enjoy going out, getting drunk and party the night away with friends.
I had never really been one to enjoy nights out before. In fact, before I came to uni, the furthest I had gone to get drunk was a small, local pub by my house. The city night life was a whole new experience for me, so I was enjoying it as much as I could with all of my new friends, considering town was right on my doorstep.
Half way through my first year, I hit a bad patch in life. I had become ill, but the cause of this was unknown. I would constantly be sick and have breathing problems, and it was getting severe. I had so many tests done at the hospital; including blood tests, MRI scans and an endoscopy, but all results came back negative. I was on medication for about 2-3 months, and going out partying became too much for me.
In my second year (when I was much better), I still didn’t drink alcohol a lot, but I would have enough to enjoy myself. In June, I got put on long term medication (which I am still on now), which meant I could not drink any alcohol, and still can’t.
At first, I was a little annoyed. I thought it would mean that all of my friends would go off and get drunk without me, and I would be left alone at the flat having to keep myself company. But I was wrong.
I went out, and I actually enjoyed myself. I could party the night away, yet keep myself safe too. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t last until 4am partying like all of my friends did – By 1.30am, I was ready for my bed. This didn’t bother me though. I was able to go out and have fun with everyone else.
The one thing that bugs me though, is people judging me. “How can you be out sober?!”, “Why aren’t you drinking? That’s no excuse!”, “For goodness sake, you’ve been on medication for ages. Just have one drink. It won’t hurt”.
People didn’t understand. They didn’t understand that it was dangerous for me to consume alcohol with my medication. They didn’t understand that this medication is what is keeping me going – Without it, I would be a mess.
There are so many assumptions that you need to get drunk in order to have a night out in town, but I have realised you don’t necessarily need to. I enjoy not getting so drunk that I forget what I did, or where I am. I enjoy waking up fresh without a hangover, whilst everyone else is feeling rough.
I even enjoy being “the mother” of the group when I go out. I don’t know why, but some of my friends like to go round tables, drinking random “free” drinks when they are drunk. I can’t even describe how angry this makes me. I have had my experience of being spiked, and I would never even wish that on my worst enemy. I almost died. Therefore, when I’m out, I seem to have this tendency to watch my friends and make sure their drinks are safe, and that they stay safe.
To be honest, I don’t go out very much at all anymore. The thought of a cosy night in watching DVD’s and reading appeals to me a lot more nowadays.. But when I do go out, I do have fun even though I’m sober.
Who else enjoys a night out without having to get drunk?
smallgirlbigdreams1993 
I don’t drink, never really have done as I learnt to drive as soon as I was legally able – I preferred to get home safely rather then getting drunk and waiting at a taxi rank. I understand your pressure, except my only response to “why are you not drinking” was “because I don’t WANT to”! People look at you like you’ve lost your mind. On the plus side, I’ve never been the girl someone had to scoop off the sidewalk covered in their own sick…
Exactly! I’m glad you understand what I mean. When I say I’m not drinking, people look at me too as if I’m crazy. They just don’t seem to accept that I choose not to drink! Some people know their limits, but others get completely paralytic . It’s better to be safe than sorry 🙂 x
I found this post quite touching! I’ve only been drunk once in my life and I’m 23. I don’t mind having a drink socially but I’ve never really enjoyed getting drunk. When going out with friends, I’ll have one or two but that’s it. And that is completely my choice. I am much more of a stay-at-home-with-a-good-book-person, yet also don’t mind going out sometimes too. Some people I know around my age think it weird, but of course, unless you have experienced something you can never truly understand. I often go out with people and drink non-alcoholic drinks and still manage to enjoy myself. 🙂 xx
Glad you like the post! 🙂 it sounds like we are quite similar in that sense – I enjoy going out but I much prefer nights in , especially when the weather is cold 🙂 xx
Every time I go out I don’t drink. I’m not much of a drinker. Never been. I usually, I mean pretty much, always, have to drive. And I’m completely against drinking and driving. So, I just don’t drink. But it doesn’t mean I don’t have fun. I have plenty of fun sober! My friends never made fun of me or any comments about the fact that I don’t drink. It’s just normal. For them it’d be weird if I’d drink. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t like an ice cold beer in a hot summer day.
Yeah I don’t blame you at all if you are usually driving. I dont understand why people risk that.. it’s really upsetting 😦
Exactly, its fun when you are sober as well. If you have great company, you will have a great time in my eyes 🙂 x
I like people who walk their own path–I say keep up the good work. I was never a drinker and thus was popular in undergrad as I could always be the designated driver.
Thankyou 🙂 Ah I can imagine! If you’re driving, people round here only accept that as a good excuse for you not to drink! x
I love this post! I hate it when people judge others for not drinking. Why does it matter to them? Does it affect their night because YOU’RE not drinking? Nope.
I am a bit like you, I used to drink loads. I mean LOADS. When I was in college and just turned 18 I was always out and the amount of alcohol I would consume on a weekly basic was disgusting but then a few years ago I developed some anxiety problems which have affected my life quite a lot and although things aren’t perfect, I’m fairly happy now and I don’t drink anymore. In the past 3 years since it all started I’ve probably had about 4 full drinks but I don’t even have the desire to drink anymore and I feel so much better for it. It doesn’t matter to me so why should it matter to anyone else? It makes anxiety worse if I drink so I just don’t want to bother with it and surly that’s a good thing?
I used to be one of those people who couldn’t believe it if someone went out and chose not to drink and now I can understand how annoying and unnecessary it is because I’m on the other side of it!
Jenny
xoxox
Exactly, its not like it has any impact on their night! If anything, it’s better for them as they have someone sober to look out for them!
We sound quite similar in that aspect – I have developed really bad anxiety now (which is what my medication is for), therefore I’m unable to drink. Even when I go out and don’t drink it gets too much sometimes, but I feel much better than if I was drinking too!
People need to be a bit more understanding, don’t they?
Thanks for your comment 🙂 xxx
Really? That’s so strange how similar we are! I don’t take any medication for my anxiety, just tried to power on through without it haha but even so, drinking makes me feel more anxious the day after anyway and sometimes it’s not worth the hassle!
Even if I explain it to some people they’re like, ‘Why don’t you just have one?’ If I wanted one I would have had one! Haha Anyway, rant over! xxxx
Haha, exactly!! If I decide to drink then I will do so 😛 Yeah we are very similar! It got so bad I couldn’t get out of bed for days so I’m on it at the moment. It’s great if you have ways of dealing with it 🙂 xxx
Ahh a little while after mine first started I spent an awful lot of time in bed and couldn’t leave the house for about 3 weeks! If you ever need a chat about it I’m always here! 🙂 It’s great finding people who know what you’ve been through xxx
It’s horrible isn’t it? 😦 Aww thankyou. Same to you! 🙂 It really does help talking about it to people who understand how you are feeling, especially sometimes people have different coping strategies that may help eachother 🙂 xxx
Oh yeah definitely! It’s also amazing how many people actually suffer from similar things that you’re not aware of! xxx
First so sorry you struggled with unknown of health.. It can be so frustrating. And second what an awesome post. This is something I think everyone should read and I couldn’t agree with you more on all you said. I never was one to have to drink but people would look at me and ask why not. When I would say I could have fun without it I would get blank stares.. I personally like to remember my night and the fun in having! Yes drinking is fun and I do it but I don’t live by it. I can have a good time with or without alcohol! This is the type of info I wish was spread around! Great post abs thanks for sharing!
Aw, thank you lovely 🙂
Exactly, I would much rather enjoy my night, stay safe and wake up feeling fresh than having a stinking hangover the next day! People just don’t really understand how we can have fun without drinking nowadays!
Thanks for commenting 🙂 x
Pingback: Sunday Funday Challenge #5 | smallgirlbigdreams1993