I was wondering if there is anyone out there who does not drink alcohol? Is anyone teetotal? It amazes me that such a chemical potion can have such a hold over so many people? I feel alone in my stand against it.

Does ANYONE not drink alcohol?
Can ANYONE drink fruit juice on a night out and be happy?

Yes, I don't drink. Not for any special moral reasons, but I just don't like what it does to people

Many drinkers seem to think it's some kind of licence to behave like an ar*sehole

That's quite apart from the many social problems it causes (domestic violence, road accidents etc)

I'm usually the driver on a night out, so I'm quite happy to drink soft drinks and watch those around me make fools of themselves

How do you mean?

They make fools of themselves in those endearing ways that only alcohol-impaired people can:

They have a tendency to get loud and aggressive, they dance badly and they have a predisposition to vomit/urinate/sleep in shop doorways. Strangely enough, they also get arrested in greater numbers than sober folk.

Have I mentioned karaoke yet?!

i dont drink either!! i just dont see the point of it, it doesnt make me any happier and it saves me money!! :D! actually i'm quite happy just drinking water, its healthy and its the cheapest drink u can get!! :D!!

I dont drink (much), i wouldnt go as far to say im t-total because im not, but I rarely drink

I could happily go out and not drink alcohol and have a good time :thumbsup:

But then again, i rarely go out :lol:

I don't drink, lifes much happier.

:o (AA Meeting) Hello i'm Jon i haven't had a drink in two weeks :rolleyes: to be honest i don't miss alcohol thought i would but i don't :clap: Not easy though going in pubs and having to drink Cola while your mates drink Lager.

Just as expensive too. :mad:

:thumbsup: A Pint of Lime & soda water cost's £1 try it,its nice :o

I dont drink much, dont see the need - only pouring money down your neck.

Only reallly drink xmas, new year and birthdays, that kind of thing.

Rather buy something for my house than go get [censored] :rolleyes: :D :thumbsup:

I spend over £100 a weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) on alcohol.

I'm gunna try and stop, for healthy living and all that.. it's just hard when everyone around you is drinking.

I might just try and cut down, maybe drink on Friday, stay in on Saturday (or go to the pics or something) and then water on a Sunday.

Save money and save a liver.

I don't drink much anymore but I'm not a teetotal either. I used to drink like a fish when I was at Uni.

I don't mind drinking fruit juice on a night out but I stop enjoying it if everyone else is really plastered and I'm sober. You know, when the ones who are really drunk start staggering around and shouting into your ear and accidently spitting into your face when "talking" (or shouting) at you or spilling their drink onto you because they can't stand up without wobbling etc. I didn't used to notice that kind of thing when I was drunk along with them! However, thankfully most of the people I go out with now don't get like this anymore so it's not too bad.

I sometimes get people looking at me like I'm a freak when I order a soft drink. If anyone says anything like "God, orange juice? What are you drinking that for?" I use a line I nicked from Hollyoaks of all places, "Don't worry it's not contagious". :)

Originally posted by kittykat
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who does not drink alcohol? Is anyone teetotal? It amazes me that such a chemical potion can have such a hold over so many people? I feel alone in my stand against it.

Does ANYONE not drink alcohol?
Can ANYONE drink fruit juice on a night out and be happy?

Humans are attracted to mind altering drugs, always have been and probably always will be...

Originally posted by RPG
I dont drink (much), i wouldnt go as far to say im t-total because im not, but I rarely drink

I could happily go out and not drink alcohol and have a good time :thumbsup:

But then again, i rarely go out :lol:

:) Just like me, I do drink,
but everytime I go out I don't need to drink alcohol, I can happily sit and drink cola and fruit juice and still enjoy myself (alot of the times more so than when I drink alcohol)!

DM:thumbsup:

Originally posted by fnkysknky
Humans are attracted to mind altering drugs, always have been and probably always will be...
I hate that argument.

I only drink at weekends now. I used to drink more or less every day, but suspected that it was probably turning into a problem. I'm also running low on cash, which is another good reason to stop.

As for giving it up completely, I'm not sure if I could, I'd miss it too much. It makes you wonder how you got by as a child.

So what if you hate it, it's true. Drugs have been an important part of all societies. I'm sure Phan could go into more detail about 'em than me.

Don't say that! It's not as easy to disagree with Phan....

It might be a true argument, but I don't feel it should be used as an excuse.

I Just saw on T.V that prat George Best lose his licence for 18 months, obviously he can't manage without it.
Anyway got to go and put the Kettle on.

I was involved with a drunk in a previous relationship and it's not an experience I can recommend to anyone. I would come home from work in the afternoon to find my young step kids on their own as she was down the pub drunk. I was told that the only way to socialise with people is down the pub. In the end you become brainwashed into thinking you are the odd one out because they surround themselves with a circle of friends who are also drunks with the same opinions.

I don't condemn drink, and I do drink myself, though not to excess. I do find myself feeling uncomfortable around people who are drunk now though.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
Humans are attracted to mind altering drugs, always have been and probably always will be...

Judging by this thread, your little "rule" doesn't seem to apply to ALL humans. Perhaps you should stipulate this in future.

Reality is a disease caused by lack of alcohol.

As Peter Griffin says 'Let's drink beer until we can't feel feelings anymore.'

Originally posted by t020
Judging by this thread, your little "rule" doesn't seem to apply to ALL humans. Perhaps you should stipulate this in future.

How the hell can you comment when you hardly ever back up your 'facts' with sources.

Anyway rules are there to be broken...

At what point did I state ALL humans anyway?

I dont drink a lot, but i aint tee-total either!

I generally go out every wk 2 or 3 times and mainly drive just cos its cheaper and easier!! I went out on friday and didnt spend a penny :D (gr8 when a friend buys you a drink and you know the ppl on the door at a club hehe). Doesnt bother me just being on water or whatever!! Still have a good time!

Ive been out and drank twice in January, which is hardly anything, does make a nice change not to have to drive though, but im not excessive with it! Im not the type who gets absolutely hammered either, i get merry and i know when to stop, cant even remember the last time i woke up with a hangover and i can always remember everything that happened! :)

I guess in answer to the thread ? though, i could live without alcohol easily if i had too! Just i choose to indulge in it every so often!! :)

I drink

I drink therefore I am

Drink is the curse of the working classes

I drink therefore presumably you all now have another reason to despise me - I bet you are all dead chuffed about that

I drink because I like it and because it is addictive

and I drink because I can afford to

And I drink

So there - mind you I am amazed that from amongst 2000 Sheffield Forum members I am alone in my drinking. Does that say something about
a. internet users
b. Sheffield or
c. your honesty

This imbiber would love to know.....

Hiccup

Go on , tell me off: I love a drink, especially at weekends. I don't go out that often, but enjoy a few chilled cans and the odd vat of wine on a Friday and Saturday night.

I used to drink quite often but not so much now.

Most European countries have far more relaxed laws and as a result have much less problems in alcohol abuse and drunkness because you don't have to drink as fast and in large quantities just because it shuts at 11pm.

Originally posted by kittykat
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who does not drink alcohol? Is anyone teetotal? It amazes me that such a chemical potion can have such a hold over so many people? I feel alone in my stand against it.

Does ANYONE not drink alcohol?
Can ANYONE drink fruit juice on a night out and be happy?

I can live without alcohol and I always could, and social drugs, and cigarettes, and sniffing glue, and sexual perversion. Although I will have a drink of lager or whisky just to be sociable with my friends, however, I can take it or leave it as the case may be. And please don't say I am miserable because nothing could be further from the truth.:) :) :) :banana: :banana: :banana:

Originally posted by John
I used to drink quite often but not so much now.

Most European countries have far more relaxed laws and as a result have much less problems in alcohol abuse and drunkness because you don't have to drink as fast and in large quantities just because it shuts at 11pm.

Certainly Mediterranean countries don't seem to have the same problems as us. I have yet to see gangs of foul-mouthed Italian or Spanish teenagers rolling about drunk and throwing up all over the place when on holiday. Perhaps their culture has something to do with it?

Originally posted by Terminator
Certainly Mediterranean countries don't seem to have the same problems as us. I have yet to see gangs of foul-mouthed Italian or Spanish teenagers rolling about drunk and throwing up all over the place when on holiday. Perhaps their culture has something to do with it?

It is Holiday reps that encourage this sort of behaviour.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
How the hell can you comment when you hardly ever back up your 'facts' with sources.

Anyway rules are there to be broken...

At what point did I state ALL humans anyway?


I can comment because the 'facts' are within the thread - i.e. the many people in this thread who have no interest in alcohol.

You also implicitly said that ALL humans are attracted to mind altering drugs: "Humans are attracted to mind altering drugs, always have been and probably always will be... "

So don't bother denying it now.

Originally posted by Terminator
Certainly Mediterranean countries don't seem to have the same problems as us. I have yet to see gangs of foul-mouthed Italian or Spanish teenagers rolling about drunk and throwing up all over the place when on holiday. Perhaps their culture has something to do with it?

Admitedly, they don't help, but it happens every weekend in every town and city in Britain. Can't blame the holiday reps for that.

Originally posted by Terminator
Admitedly, they don't help, but it happens every weekend in every town and city in Britain. Can't blame the holiday reps for that.

I sense it's Ground Hog day.... ;) minus the spelling

Most European countries have far more relaxed laws and as a result have much less problems in alcohol abuse and drunkenness because you don't have to drink as fast and in large quantities just because it shuts at 11pm.

Originally posted by John
I sense it's Ground Hog day.... ;) minus the spelling

Most European countries have far more relaxed laws and as a result have much less problems in alcohol abuse and drunkenness because you don't have to drink as fast and in large quantities just because it shuts at 11pm.


So drunken louts can rule the streets all night too? Good thinking...... Not. Wouldn't work in this country due to the 'yob culture'. People would just get more drunk by drinking all the way through the night at their pub, and instead of one batch of loud thugs all on their way home at 11.10pm causing noise, littering, and urinating in the streets, residents near the pubs would have to put up with the same occurence but in several, smaller batches throughout the night.

IMO the Police should be preventing these anti social louts from ruling the streets. Not according to Blunkett though, he basically said the other week that it was nothing to do with the Police and stated that "The drinks industry must help to curb this behaviour".

I've never drunk alcohol in my life... I don't think I'm missing much.

I'm teetotal for a variety of reasons - religious and social (spending three years living next to a pub in a rough area of Liverpool, for instance)

Yes, I've seen the fights, the car crashes, the vomiting, the anti-social behaviour... I want no part of that, thanks all the same.

Originally posted by t020
So drunken louts can rule the streets all night too? Good thinking...... Not. Wouldn't work in this country due to the 'yob culture'. People would just get more drunk by drinking all the way through the night at their pub, and instead of one batch of loud thugs all on their way home at 11.10pm causing noise, littering, and urinating in the streets, residents near the pubs would have to put up with the same occurence but in several, smaller batches throughout the night.

Not at all. I think this shows a lack of understanding of how it works here and abroad. The essential point is that without the time restrictions, the "go home" will spread itself out. people won't drink any more, but they will spread it out over a longer period, and at different periods. This in turn will reduce the time pressure that causes the rowdyness that is experienced at the moment. There are many other factors, but I won't go into it here (unless pressed).

That's a very romantic view, Tony, but I don't think it will work.

I agree with t020 in that drunks will be walking the streets all night.

But why should the breweries care? It's not their problem. It's the problem of residents who are unfortunate enough to live in the vicinity of pubs.

I don't think that it's a romantic view at all Abdul. It's a view formed from owning a big bar and spending time studying the trade abroad and at home. The issue is a social one, not an industry one. By comparison to many places, we have rather weedy weak beer, but we have a culture that is about "power drinking" rather than enjoying drinking, so we still manage to get lots of disorderly drunks.

Let's also not have the other romantic idea that the UK has a solus position on street drunks, but where it is integrated into the social fabric it is not such an issue. Check out the thread for the 18th Birthday party - lots of talk about getting trashed as soon as you're old enough to go in the pub. Like a small child, telling someone that they can't have something will make them gorge when they do get it.

Taking the retrictions off drinking time will remove a lot of that pressure, but it's not the only answer for a farily complex issue.

Don't blame breweries and bar owners, because I honestly believe that there will be little if any extra spending on alchohol, but bars and pubs will have to stay open for longer - and you will understand that actually means increased costs and reduced profits. There will be no more drunks onthe streets, but they won't all be there at the same time. That has to be a better thing.

In a posh wine bar, yes there may be the benefits you speak of.

In some scruffy pub on a hell hole estate, not a bloody chance mate!

I think that you underestimate people Abdul, but I do understand and to some extent share you reservations on that particular issue.

Most of those types of pubs are maginal businesses at the moment, and the new licensing laws will probably put them out of business anyway.

I’m off topic here – I thought I was reply to the late opening thread.

Originally posted by t020
So drunken louts can rule the streets all night too? Good thinking...... Not. Wouldn't work in this country due to the 'yob culture'. People would just get more drunk by drinking all the way through the night at their pub, and instead of one batch of loud thugs all on their way home at 11.10pm causing noise, littering, and urinating in the streets, residents near the pubs would have to put up with the same occurence but in several, smaller batches throughout the night.

*occurrence (if t020 insist on correcting my spelling then I must return the favour :D ).

I admit, such change in law won't solve drunken yob behaviour overnight but over time many problems will go away.

Drunken louts are the result of binge drinking just before closing time, which is very much driven by UK licensing laws. Solve binge drinking and you’ll solve a lot more problems than just the noise.

I have seen it so many times - you drink up so that you can move onto the next pub before last orders are called and/or having to buy yet another pint just because last orders has been called when you've already got a nearly full one in your hand.

Urinating and throwing up in the street is the result of the above after being forced out just after you've down those 2 pints in the last 15-20 minutes without having the opportunity to go to the toilet.

I very much doubt many 24hrs licences will be issued outside city centre, so you can go to bed at 11.15pm.

Ban happy hour as that encourages binge drinking - put a big tax on alco-pop.

Originally posted by Tony
The essential point is that without the time restrictions, the "go home" will spread itself out.


Exactly. People who live near pubs will have people passing by all through the night, instead of a (albeit larger and louder) group at just past 11.00pm. If I lived near a pub, I'd rather have one big group of heavily drunk idiots passing at the same time every night instead of a steadier flow of people all through the night. At least with how it is now, people near pubs know what to expect and when to expect it, and that it is usually all over by 11.30.

Originally posted by t020
I can comment because the 'facts' are within the thread - i.e. the many people in this thread who have no interest in alcohol.

You also implicitly said that ALL humans are attracted to mind altering drugs: "Humans are attracted to mind altering drugs, always have been and probably always will be... "

So don't bother denying it now.

Yes, if I had said 'Men are attracted to women, always have been and probably always will be...' - that would have been perfectly valid but guess what, some men are gay and aren't attracted to women. At no point did I say every human on the planet.

T020, you're missing the point, which is that there will be LESS drunks.

Originally posted by Tony
T020, you're missing the point, which is that there will be LESS drunks.
How do you figure?

Not everyone goes to the pub to get hammered! This thread seems to be going down the path of you are either sober or you are totally ratted. There are various stages in between.

A large number of my customers come along to have a drink to help them unwind at the end of the day - stress release - so drink is good for you in that sense. It also lowers the cholestoral and improves circulation.

Many other customers come in to see the bands playing and as a drink helps them relax it heightens the pleasure experienced.

We have a sign by our door asking customers to be considerate to our neighbours as they leave and not be too noisy.

I think the point I'm trying to make is that you don't get many people who make utter fools out of themselves when under the influence of alcohol, but a stereotype is created and heightened by the media that this is what alcohol turns you into.

What about those who fall asleep after a few drinks? What about those who feel more subdued by it and go quietly home? Others just become more talkative.....but don't start shouting.

Alas a few loud people can tar the brush and can cause annoyance. Nobody in the wrong mood for this appreciates it. But not everyone is like that.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Alas a few loud people can tar the brush and can cause annoyance. Nobody in the wrong mood for this appreciates it. But not everyone is like that.

Here here! :loopy:

Can someone tell me what it is that kills your liver through alcohol abuse?

Moon

http://archive.mail-list.com/hbv_research/msg00321.html

That explains a lot of it Moon, hope it helps.

Some facts about alcohol drinkers should be aware of. IMO it is important to educate yourself about the effects of everything you ingest.

Anwyay
The other problem with alcohol, is that it also produces nausea. Likewise, the opiates. So once again, the two drugs enhance each other's side-effects. Pulmonary oedema - drowning in your own vomit - is the second major cause of drug related death and alcohol is often a major contributory factor.
Unfortunately, the adverse effects of alcohol on the breast occur at the same levels of drinking that protect the heart. In the Nurses' Health Study, for example, women who typically consumed three to nine drinks a week were 30 percent more likely than nondrinkers to develop breast cancer. Other studies have indicated that one drink a day is associated with an increased breast cancer risk of from 18 to 40 percent.

Dr. Matthew Longnecker of the University of California at Los Angeles analyzed 38 studies on alcohol and breast cancer. He concluded that one drink a day increased breast cancer risk by about 10 percent and two drinks increased it by 25 percent.

This spring, Dr. Marsha E. Reichman at the National Cancer Institute showed that premenopausal women given the equivalent of two drinks a day had a shift in estrogen hormones that could be the mechanism behind the rise in breast cancer associated with alcohol. Breast tissue is acutely sensitive to estrogen, and certain types of estrogen are known to stimulate growth of breast cancer cells
and

BAC
(mg / dL) Effect
__________________________________________________ _______________

50 Mild intoxication
Feeling of warmth, skin flushed; impaired judgment;
decreased inhibitions


100 Obvious intoxication in most people
Increased impairment of judgment, inhibition, attention, and control;
Some impairment of muscular performance; slowing of reflexes


150 Obvious intoxication in all normal people
Staggering gait and other muscular incoordination; slurred
speech; double vision; memory and comprehension loss


250 Extreme intoxication or stupor
Reduced response to stimuli; inability to stand; vomiting;
incontinence; sleepiness

350 Coma
Unconsciousness; little response to stimuli; incontinence;
low body temperature; poor respiration; fall in blood
pressure; clammy skin

500 Death likely

Originally posted by Tony
T020, you're missing the point, which is that there will be LESS drunks.


Even if that was the case, it still doesn't change the fact that all it would take would be a couple of idiots walking home from the pub at 3am to wake a whole street up. At the moment however, even if there are more, they're all clear by 11.30pm. If I lived near a pub, I'd much prefer to have lots of people at 11 - 11.30pm then a few people at 3am or later.

what about city centre late bars. I don't think there are enough in this city.

Originally posted by Andy78
what about city centre late bars. I don't think there are enough in this city.

Very true, it's quite embarassing when you compare it to other cities.

I agree, however, at the moment, there are either not enough drinkers or too many pubs.

The trade in Sheffiled is having a tough time at the moment. There just isn't enough money being spent.

Originally posted by Sidla
How do you figure?

Quite simply because people will generally modify thier behaviour and not drink so much so quickly. They will be less drunk. Ergo, there will be less drunks.

Originally posted by Andy78
Here here! :loopy:

Sorry to be a pedant, but the correct term is, "hear, hear!"

It is an abbreviation for "hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"

Originally posted by Classic Rock
We have a sign by our door asking customers to be considerate to our neighbours as they leave and not be too noisy.
.

Surely that's just a disclaimer? It simply pays lip service to what is a serious problem for residents who live close to pubs, clubs etc

I wonder how many drinkers actually say to themselves, "blimey, I'm really glad that sign's there. I was just about to launch into a couple of verses of Wonderwall at top volume, urinate against someone's car, then vomit in the doorway of KFC. But now I've read that sign, I'll just go home quietly and watch Tonight With Trevor McDonald"

Taking a walk down west street or division street on a friday night and seeing all the scum puts me off drinking...

Define scum.. as I certainly have no problem walking down those roads at any time of any night :loopy:

Sorry to be a bit rude, but you need to take your head out of your own rear end.

Thank you for the links on the alcohol damage.

Has anyone conducted research into the effects of drinking mead in excess :D
I just wondered as there are quite obviously a lot of 'modern' ingredients now used in the making of beer, larger, wine and spirits and I wondered if this had any baring on the amount of damage it can cause the body.

Moon Maiden

well, I doubt there's much research into mead because it is quite an unusual drink.

But you are right in pointing out that most over the counter alcohol these days is stuffed with additives to make it last longer, stay fizzy etc.

Although these do not contribute directly to the damage to your brain and liver as much as alcohol, these congeners are widely believed to be the cause of bad hangovers (that and dehydration due to alcohol's diuretic effect.

But alcohol is a toxic substance that happens to get us inebriated, whichever form it takes. Taken in excess (200mg/dl) the alcohol in mead is just as damaging, but if you have made it yourself, there are probably going to be less congeners.

Originally posted by GazB
Define scum.. as I certainly have no problem walking down those roads at any time of any night :loopy:

Sorry to be a bit rude, but you need to take your head out of your own rear end.

Well said.

Originally posted by GazB
Define scum.. as I certainly have no problem walking down those roads at any time of any night :loopy:

Sorry to be a bit rude, but you need to take your head out of your own rear end.

Nice one...Saying ive got my head up my own rear end while simultaneously asking me what I actually mean.

By scum, I mean those who turn violent when drunk...Its a very small minority and its not a big problem in sheffield but those people are what keep me from drinking like that.

Perhaps you should take yours out of our yours before getting insulting?

I'm not being insulting..

You can't be serious about West St and Division Street being full of scum though.. I've never once seen a fight on either of those, main reason being it's a student hotspot. Students are generally of a friendly nature as they are out to enjoy themselves and take their mind of studies etc.. not get their heads kicked in.

Originally posted by GazB
I'm not being insulting..

You can't be serious about West St and Division Street being full of scum though.. I've never once seen a fight on either of those, main reason being it's a student hotspot. Students are generally of a friendly nature as they are out to enjoy themselves and take their mind of studies etc.. not get their heads kicked in.

I didnt say they were full of scum...Generally Sheffield is an extremely nice and friendly place. Ive certainly had no real problems here. Maybe it was bad wording on my part.

They are still there though...maybe you havent, but I have seen fights there. The violent drunks are still there even if they dont start fights, arguing, threatening people...I reckon one of the main reasons theres so few fights is the doorstaff on pretty much every door in the area and the excellent police coverage down there.

Yeah I've noticed alot more bobby's on the beat around Town recently. About time as well.. will stop all the 15- 17 year olds that think they're big men because they can get into the odd club and drink.. they're the ones that start fighting, because they can't handle their drink.

i have a drink problem,i drink,get drunk,fall down,no problem.

Having persperationally participated in hard day's graft, I am now happily settled at my keyboard together with a snuggly, wuggly can of reassuringly expensive continental beer sitting happily on my desk.

I ask you: how can one even contemplate burgling a decent, hard-working man of this unique pleasure?

Alas, I fear I may go wayward and open a second can later.

Can I just ask if your reassuring expensive continental beer is actually from the continent.

I only ask, because I have never found Stella in cans to be brewed anywhere but the UK.

I would be interested if imported cans were available.