Hey Ozbargain community,
I've been a non-drinker since I left high school. I'm talking alcoholic beverages here. It all stemmed from getting my drivers license at the same time as completing my RSA (bar and gaming) license. The course was run by an experienced bar/club owner, and his stories turned me off. I was a terrible drinker to begin with, and annoyed myself more than anything while inebriated, let alone the sickness that followed.
I soon built up a tolerance to beer, wine and spirits, and consuming any in small quantities would make me sick or physically uncomfortable. Drinking scotch would send me sleep, and I'd get hangovers without reaching inebriation.
Through my early 20's I was ostracized by my mates, who would often go halves in a carton on the weekend or drink a hundred dollars on a night out. I'd spend the money on kebabs and lemon-lime and bitters. I was judged as a 'PUUSSSAAAY' or 'pr1ck who wouldn't drive them home at the end of the night'.
I've also developed greater sensitivities to alcohol, and suffer from gout attacks. Last Easter, baileys and milk had me spend 4 days off work in horrible pain, with an inflamed big toe twice the size of the other.
Now that I'm 30, I've started to enjoy going out to the local again, and have no problem needing liquid courage to have a good night out with a group of people or meeting new people out on my own.
On a night out, I'll drink waters, occasionally soft drinks, and unless its a birth/death/marriage, I'll have a single beer. It's got to be special and I'd only drink with the best of company, at the best of times.
Who else in the community experiences similar?
What would you like on the menu for non-alcoholic drinkers, and could something like this make nightlife experiences in bars and clubs more enjoyable for designated drivers, non-drinkers and reformed drinkers?
How easily do you enjoy your time out in public places without the need for intoxication?
Poll below and share some stories. Thank you
23 here, non-drinker currently due to medical reasons.
When I was in the 18-21 range I was a rare, minimal sort of drinker and was never interested in going out clubbing or pubs. Its not much fun going out when all your friends are hammered and acting like idiots whilst you're sober. Plus, the constant mocking and pressure - you're weak, you need to loosen up, learn to have some fun etc. So yeah, I got ostracised as well. The drinking culture is extremely prevalent at that age, along with putting pressure on and being competitive over masculinity and its not always a possibility to find people who aren't like that - I didn't at least.
Now I can't drink even when I'd like to but thankfully my mates are fine with it and there's no pressure on me either way. I wouldn't be friends with them if it wasn't this way.
It doesn't stop me going out - I just don't go when I know they'll be getting drunk. When I go out I just get a coke or water and that's fine for me.