How important is Alcohol?

[sam_gordon]

This question (and it's not really a question) has been rattling around in my brain for a while... how important is alcohol to you?

When I'm out at a restaurant (especially a "sports bar" or the like), I almost feel like I SHOULD get a beer or a cocktail. Of course, no one else is making me, and I decline myself MUCH more often than I partake.

And then we go on cruises or to AIs and see how much people are drinking (for cruises "oh, I MORE than get my money's worth out of the drink plan").

Is it because of media/advertising that I feel this way? That I'm sort of "obligated" to have alcohol?

No, I'm not an alcoholic. When I do imbibe, it's generally one cocktail or beer at dinner, and that maybe 20% of the times when I'm at a restaurant.

 

[ronandannette]

I'd say 0% important. I love a glass of wine or champagne, a frozen umbrella drink on the deck of a cruise ship and shots of Bailey's in coffee at Christmas. LOVE. But in our social circles, hardly anybody drinks and we have close family members in recovery, so we do without whenever we are with any of them. It's not a big sacrifice. I go months and months and months without the opportunity for a drink and I'd never contrive situations to make it happen. Based on your sports-bar scenario, though, I would absolutely be having a drink. It's the appropriate place and likely good company.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Pretty darn important. Should be listed up there with Life & Liberty.

 

[Christine]

Not important for me. I just never got into alcohol. Some days, wish that I could. It just doesn't make me feel well--I don't get a good vibe from it. I don't even find any drink that's "delicious" enough to even waste the 120+ calories.

 

[fly girl]

It isn't a necessity, but I do enjoy a good adult beverage.

Dh and I will typically have a glass of wine or beer with dinner.

The only time I really feel weird without a drink (beer) is when I am eating hot wings. Beer and hot wings are a joint combo for me. You cannot have one without the other.

Cruising, yes, I will imbibe more than at home. Same goes for Las Vegas. But drunk, no. Those days are over. Who wants to feel the aftermath? Ugh, no. Recovery is longer now too. Hard pass.

In the last 20 years I have only prayed to the porcelain god twice, and I will admit it was two times too much. At my age I should know my limit. However, when you are with a bunch of people and the drinks keep flowing and you aren't paying attention it is easy to get caught up in the moment. Especially when you have a good buzz and you don't want the night to end.

On the importance scale, I would say minimal. But I am one of those people that when you tell me I cannot have something that is all I can think about. With that said, I should change to moderately important as I drink in moderation.

 

[Meriweather]

not at all important.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I can certainly live without it out and sometimes start the year with a "dry January", just because it's a good way to start the year. But DH and I enjoy wine and so we typically have two glasses of wine each on Friday and Saturday night while enjoying a movie or streaming something. Maybe one glass on Sunday night, and that's it. It's two bottles over the course of three nights...between the two of us. We enjoy it though, and I'm not sure how much marketing is in play....have enjoyed wine for as long as I've been with DH. We don't drink wine with meals at home....we save our glasses for movie time. And no booze Mon-Thurs.

When on vacation we typically have wine with every dinner....and some lunches if I'm honest . If it's a beachy vacation, instead of wine with lunch there's a margarita by the pool or beach. After a vacation we usually do go 1-2 weeks with no alcohol...a mini-detox.

But, we're in good shape (56 and 55), work out... and our bloodwork is good....all normal and our primary doc is comfortable with our level of drinking. We're honest with her about it and she has told each of us that most people aren't, and that a lot of people drink a lot more....especially over the past several years. She sees big issues with this down the road for our collective health as a nation. But she also said that maintaining our weight is really key too....she sees a lot of fatty liver disease in people who don't drink alcohol at all. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is just as dangerous as the alcoholic version.

 

[disneychrista]

Finding & trying new beers & visiting new (and favorite) breweries is a hobby of mine. But I would enjoy that just as much if the beers were non-alcoholic.

 

[GreatLakes]

Not important. I rarely drink anyway but I took all of 2023 as a totally dry year and I just don't miss it.

I have had a lot of N/A beers this year, and subscribe to a box of N/A beers from brew dog but I do not miss alcohol at all.

 

[SpaceMan5]

In the last 20 years I have only prayed to the porcelain god twice,

I haven't heard that phrase in years and years. Prayed a few times in my college years but not as an adult.

I will say I like an Old Fashioned after a long day

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not important at all. Though I probably will, over the course of a year, have a a half dozen beers and a half dozen glasses of wine. Though not two at any one time. More than one makes me sleepy and some of my meds are not alcohol friendly.

60 years ago, a different story.

 

[fly girl]

I haven't heard that phrase in years and years. Prayed a few times in my college years but not as an adult.

I will say I like an Old Fashioned after a long day

LOL, the phrase sounds so much better than puking your guts out.

Both times in my non college years it was due to shots. And not heavy straight shots (no!) but the girly shots that'll sneak up on you (Washington Apple, Purple Hooter). Both times it was my cousins who lead me down the path. Damn cousins, still up to no good. But, I was stupid enough to join!

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I collect spirits and am always on the lookout for a unique bottle. I also like making interesting cocktails so I’d say quite important to me.

 

[starry_solo]

Not important.
We don't get a drink plan when we cruise, it's just pay as you go.
We've cruised on DCL and Carnival. We prefer DCL and will likely pay the extra to go DCL for Alaska, but just get an oceanview room, rather than verandah. Friend has already been to Alaska via Princess and wants to go with us on DCL.

 

[Karin1984]

It is important as having an alcoholic parent messed up my child/adulthood. Or maybe the word is significant. I do not mind being around people who drink. I do mind being around people who are tipsy or drunk.

But in my life it's not important as due to reason above, I do not drink and I never had friends or colleagues who pressured me into drinking. I know there are people who do not drink alcohol who are constantly bothered by others to have a drink ("One drink, it's fine, just join in. It's a fun evening"), but that's luckily not my experience.

 

[GAN]

Not important. I rarely drink anyway but I took all of 2023 as a totally dry year and I just don't miss it.

I have had a lot of N/A beers this year, and subscribe to a box of N/A beers from brew dog but I do not miss alcohol at all.

Have you tried “Athletic”? Pretty good for an N/A, 25 calories and 5g carbs(the Lite version) -if we‘re going to a party or the beach I’ll pack a few to mix in with the real stuff over the course of a day.

 

[MillauFr]

This question (and it's not really a question) has been rattling around in my brain for a while... how important is alcohol to you?

When I'm out at a restaurant (especially a "sports bar" or the like), I almost feel like I SHOULD get a beer or a cocktail. Of course, no one else is making me, and I decline myself MUCH more often than I partake.

And then we go on cruises or to AIs and see how much people are drinking (for cruises "oh, I MORE than get my money's worth out of the drink plan").

Is it because of media/advertising that I feel this way? That I'm sort of "obligated" to have alcohol?

No, I'm not an alcoholic. When I do imbibe, it's generally one cocktail or beer at dinner, and that maybe 20% of the times when I'm at a restaurant.

I don’t see how you can read all of the nonsense in the other thread without drinking.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mildly important, if you put it that way. Not more than that.

I had one sombrero on vacation last week and two pina coladas. Oh, and wine at a wedding.

At home I have wine once in a while and I like a good espresso martini if I go out to a nice restaurant.

That’s about it.

 

[mikehn]

It's up there for me. Bar tabs are right up there with car payments and mortgages.

 

[TippyThomas]

No importance for me at all as I don't drink. Not that I'm taking a stance or anything it's just not something I was exposed to growing up so I really have no experience with it.