'Sober October' - Heroic?

[identityissues8]

I am quite far removed from any kind of alcoholic culture, so definitely forgive my ignorance in my approach to this article. I just have to comment, while in a agreement with the writer, on how much it shocks me that simple abstinence from something in this day and age can stir such 'bragging rights.'

I haven't had a drop since April 2007. And while I'm proud of it, it really was no mean feat. When I explain that I don't drink I'm always met with responses like 'What? At all?' or "But why?" or "Wasn't it hard to give up?" (The last one, when I explain that yes, I have before.) It's always kind of baffled me how I have to explain that I actually had no problems simply transitioning to the next chapter of life (alcoholically speaking) and simply not injesting booze anymore. So when reading the article I kind of gave a slight smirk and nod when "This is not because we’re pregnant, or in recovery, but because booze is – despite what British* culture may insinuate – not actually intrinsic to your survival." (*Or Australian...)

Here is the article I read here: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/01/sober-october-giving-up-alcohol-not-heroic

So I guess I'm kind of looking for thoughts. Why do you think alcohol is perceived as though it is absolutely necessary to our existence? Do you see this attitude as one that can or will change in the near or distant future?

 

[Nebulous]

If someone can put an addiction on pause for a month, that is commendable. If they can do that, maybe they'll realize they can kick the habit for good. Gotta start somewhere.

 

[Dee]

So I guess I'm kind of looking for thoughts. Why do you think alcohol is perceived as though it is absolutely necessary to our existence? Do you see this attitude as one that can or will change in the near or distant future?

This is something I'm still trying to figure out. I am not a drinker. I just don't find alcohol to be good or beneficial, so I don't bother, but when I tell people I don't drink they look at me like I'm an alien and it's crazy. However, I suppose I can see why and how alcohol has become a given in this society. If you don't partake in it, you get singled and left out of one of the most popular pastimes this country has known.

 

[Raven]

Personally I drink about 2 lagers/ales a night (Have a fair few binge nights though.), over the weekend I have 4 - 8 cans depending on what I'm doing. (This is when I am home) plus spirits, If I go out and drink then I have 5 + ales/Guinness - depends how long I am out for.

So for me, doing the Go Sober challenge is going to be a real challenge. I know I can do it, but it's going to be hard.

I understand what the article is saying but I don't give a **** if people think it's heroic or not. I'm doing this to raise money and to prove to people that I can do this. As most think I will fail. But then that's nothing new.

 

[Bluezone777]

I suppose alcohol looks different from the standpoint of an addict as opposed to someone who simply enjoys it but can go without it. It's very possible many are addicted to it but at a low enough level that they can work around their addiction and not have it impair their ability to live or simply not even realize they are an addict. Say for example, someone who can't last a week without booze as opposed to someone who can't go through a day without it. Both are addicted but the one who can't go a week without it can get their fix on a day they can afford to be drunk as opposed to the other guy who can't.

As for bragging about it, people will use anything to boost themselves up over others even if the accomplishment has little to no impact over their value in society so it's not surprising people brag about such things as how long they went without a drink. If you treat the days they went without booze like a score in a game then you can see why some people brag about their "high score".

 

[Dee]

As for bragging about it, people will use anything to boost themselves up over others even if the accomplishment has little to no impact over their value in society so it's not surprising people brag about such things as how long they went without a drink. If you treat the days they went without booze like a score in a game then you can see why some people brag about their "high score".

On the opposite, it's no better if you brag about how you went out with your friends the night before and got trashed so hard you don't even remember how you got home. Personally, I don't bring up the non-drinker thing unless someone asks because I've found it makes most people uncomfortable. You get left out of things if you mention it right off the bat because no one I know doesn't drink other than my five year old nephew.

 

[Bluezone777]

I don't drink either because it simply doesn't appeal to me and never has. I believe there are many who don't who either don't talk about it out of fear of being perceived as different or simply don't care to talk about it. I wonder how many drink simply so they can appear to be drinkers when otherwise they wouldn't?

I don't see getting hammered so much so that you can't remember anything as an accomplishment either. I guess it goes back to the score concept but this time in regards to how many drinks you can consume before getting drunk and passing out.