The Excuses We Use For Drinking Alcohol
Both Drinkers and Non-Drinkers Make Excuses For Drinking Or Not
If you drink alcohol, you will be fibbing if you say you have never used an excuse for drinking too much, or even when drinking period. If your friends remember times you have drank and made a you know what out of yourself, you may be using excuses to them now if you want to have a drink. If you do not drink alcohol, good for you! I really respect how someone does not "have" to drink alcohol to make them feel better or relaxed. Actually, I've never told her this, but I really respect my Step-Mom for never taking a drink in her life. That is pretty amazing to me. Me? Well, I am an Aquarius. Is that an excuse? I believe it is! Since I've gotten to know myself through the years, I've found with my actions, it's not that I'm a follower. I just like to do what I want to do.
Have you ever noticed when someone who does not drink is asked if he or she would like an alcoholic drink, they also use excuses? I kind of feel bad for the non-drinker because the situation is almost like high school peer pressure. Excuses also happen when the person drinks occasionally, but is trying to turn down the beverage for one specific day or night. The excuses are usually, "I have to get up early in the morning" or "I drank too much yesterday", etc.
If the person is strictly a non-drinker, like my step-mom, they usually have not been asked to take a drink from friends or family in years. Sometimes at a restaurant, the waiter or waitress asks my step-mom if she would like a drink. She has no problem at all telling the person she does not drink. This is always really awesome to me, for someone to be so strong in what she believes in.
Excuses, Excuses!!
What are the excuses someone uses to drink alcohol? I'm sure you've heard a bunch of them. I have used many. How about.....
- I have had a long, hard day! This excuse has probably been used before people found out how to make alcohol. Why should we even give an excuse for our drinking habits anyway? This is most likely because we don't want others to think "bad" of us, or maybe others will think we're lazy, bar flies, or good for nothing drunks. This is a great excuse to yourself also if you're trying to talk yourself out of drinking "again" after you tied one on the night before.
- It's 5:00 somewhere: When the popular country song by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett was released in 2003 called It's 5 O'clock Somewhere, everyone seemed to be using this catchy phrase to explain their drinking at noon. I know I sure did! Maybe this phrase was around before 2003. Whatever the case, I think this is a great excuse to use especially when on vacation!
- Alcohol makes me relax & puts me to sleep: If you're an insomniac, like I once was, you may try some wine before bed. During a certain period in my life, it seemed like I needed to get "hammered" to go to sleep. This is when I decided to ask my doctor for a subtle sleeping pill. The sleeping pill worked a lot better than getting drunk. The pill also did not cause stupid actions when I took it and did not give me a wicked hangover the next day.
Beer Before Liquor? Never Sicker?
All Work and No Play? No Way
A couple of reasons people drink is because of high stress jobs or long hours at the office. Here are a couple that I remember:
- Beer: 30: I remember when I first heard this phrase "Beer 30". I was at work, and one of my co-workers would say, "It's almost Beer 30!" I had no idea what this meant, so I asked her. She told me Beer 30 really meant 5:30 p.m. Since we were off work at 5:00, this gave people enough time to get home, and open a beer. Soon after I heard that phrase, there was a new bar in the neighborhood open up called "Beer 30". This isn't really an excuse, but the phrase is fun to say if you're having a hard day at work.
- Stress and Anxiety: Have you ever said or heard someone else say, "I just need a drink.” I hear it all the time, and I say it even if I am not going to drink. Beer/Wine are depressants and can help to calm a person down, but sometimes for me, a couple for calming down may turn into too many.
- Friday Night After Work: When working with a small or big group of people, it is always fun to get together once in a while after work. Across the street from the office I worked for was a Mexican restaurant. We loved to enjoy margaritas, chips, and salsa on Fridays after work. This can be a fun time to talk about the work (or not), and just unwind and have some drinks. Again, be careful how many drinks you have if you are driving.
LAME: I Was Drunk and Didn't Know...
First of all, don't get to this point. This is the biggest cop-out and sissy alibi a person can use to justify them acting like a fool. Just because you were drunk or incoherent, doesn't mean you are excused for being an absolute idiot. You are still the one doing these things even if you black out or sloppy drunk. I'm not preaching because I've used it. Once you've said "I was drunk and I didn't know what I did" comes out of your mouth, this becomes easier and easier to use and somewhat like a habit. Try to have some will power and try not to drink to that extent. If you are feeling your will power is gone, it's time to get help.
Second of all, if you are a young girl or woman, you should never proclaim you are SO drunk especially in the act of drinking. Even though men seem so nice or are your friends, they are still MEN. Don't get so wasted that you have no idea what you are doing. I have found I like to have a few drinks, but not to the point where I have no control of my actions or others' actions towards and with me.
Weed Out The Drama Starter's Questions:
Family and friends can be curious, nosy, asking questions just to make sure you know what you're doing, and some are sincerely concerned and want the best for us. The questions can be annoying, especially if you're trying to drink and relax. Some of the family and friends are not trying to start drama. Some though (you know who they are), may be trying to stir drama up, or put the spotlight on you as if to say to someone else, "Oh my goodness, look at him/her, they're drinking again!" I do not know anyone's specific situation, but I can tell you to be gentle on the ones who care, and ignore the rest. The drama starters will most likely make you want to continue to drink more and more. From my own experience, if I am pestered by someone and already in a bad mood and continue to drink alcohol, the night does not turn out so lovely.
Have You Used An Excuse?
Have you ever felt you had to use an excuse for drinking, or even NOT drinking?
Society VS. Self
Why Explain?
Why should we explain ourselves to others if we want to drink alcohol or not? I get irritated about explaining "why" I'm doing something to anyone about anything. I have had to explain myself to a lot of people in my life, but I should try to watch how I react when someone asks a question. I sometimes come back with a smart remark if I know the person is being nosy or trying to embarrass me. I am not speaking of people asking questions regarding alcohol if you are underage, living with family, or are too drunk to drive. Obviously for these reasons, people SHOULD be asking you questions if and why you're drinking. If you are an adult, and don't have to abide by anyone's rules I don't think you should have to explain yourself (unless you're trying to drive).
Cause And Effect
Dr. Seus With Advice:
Drink Responsibly:
Whatever your excuse, make sure to be careful with consumption of alcohol. No, you don't owe anyone an explanation for your actions, but to drink and drive is very dangerous. I know everyone's heard it before, but some people don't learn until they receive a DUI, injure themselves, or kill or injure someone else. If you know of someone or you think you have an alcohol problem, please get help. There are all kinds of sources in every area.
Helpful Links Regarding Alcohol
- Blood Alcohol Level Chart | Are You Legally Drunk? | BAC Level | DrivingLaws.org
Use the blood alcohol level chart to determine blood alcohol content. A breathalyzer test will determine your BAC. The legal limit is any number below .08 in all states. - A Beer a Day Keeps the Cardiologist Away | Drinking Beer Improves Heart Health
Drinking a pint of beer every day improves heart health, a new study says. Although the benefits of drinking wine are well known, drinking beer may be better for you, in some ways. - Stress and Drinking | Psych Central
Studies indicate that many people drink as a means of coping with modern life and its accompanying economic stress, job stress and marital discord. Today's - The Truth About Beer: Calories, Bellies, Nutrition, and More
Bellies, calories, benefits and risks: Learn the beer facts at WebMD. - Addiction and Substance Abuse Health Center
WebMD Substance Abuse and Addiction Health Center: Find in-depth information about causes, symptoms, risks, prevention, and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.