Choosing to drink: why?
There are several reasons why you might drink alcohol: you like the taste, to socialize, to celebrate, to act like other people who all have a glass in their hand, etc. It might also be a kind of escape. Some people use alcohol to flee from a reality they’d rather not face or to push back certain feelings. These people are more at risk of becoming addicted.
Choosing to be teetotaler
You might choose not to drink a drop of alcohol because you know it has risks, you don’t like the taste, you’ve already had a bad experience with it, or you don’t like the person you turn into when you drink. It might also be for religious or legal reasons or out of principle. If you have friends who don’t drink, it might be easier for you to respect your values and choices.
Choosing moderation......because you know about the effects of alcohol
Drinking moderately means acting responsibly. It also means taking the necessary measures to avoid putting your safety and that of others in danger. It means being aware that several factors can affect your body’s absorption of alcohol, depending on the situation you’re in.
Alcohol abuseWhen does drinking too much become a problem?
Some people abuse alcohol occasionally because they want the associated effect (getting drunk). However, other people develop a problem related to alcohol because of how frequently they drink. For example, if you can’t wait for it to be 5 p.m. so you can have your first beer (and it won’t be the only one you have that evening) or you make sure there’s always beer in the fridge because you’re scared of running out, you could have a problem.