Alcohol is a very harmful drug- perhaps the most harmful because it is socially acceptable. Many teenagers ruin their lives on drinking.....I just wanted to hear the different views out there. I have had my bad experiences, so to me, yes, I think it is terrible. The worst thing is that if I wanted, I could waltz down to the bottlo around the corner and buy whatever I wanted even though I'm underage. Do you think the system is set up well enough to protect teens from the thrills and curiosity of heavy alcohol abuse?

What is your take on Teenage drinking?

Ok, well, I am kind of a good girl so I have had an experience with drinking, nor have most of my friends, but I do think that it is a HUGE problem! At my school so many people drink and I think part of the reason is because it has become easy for them to get their hands on it. The school decided to raid everyones' cars last year and I am pretty sure that about twenty people gt busted for possession of alcohol!! Alcohol is everywhere, especially because parents keep it in a place where it is easy for teens to get their hands on it. I know that one of my friends, who is actually a good girl too, had a bad experience with drinking one night because he parents were out and she just wanted to try it out (her parents never found out, only her little brother did so she bribed him with alcohol).

I also agree is saying that part of the reason is because it has become acceptable. I hear my peers talking about how drunk they got at parties and the teachers just laugh, one of my teachers even had us write a paper, which all the drunken details, about a party that we attended. Most people had some pretty wild stories and we are all underage. It is sad that for most people it takes a serious problem or death to get them to understand that they shouldn't drink, and I am glad that you got over your bad experience! That's my take on it all!

I havn't even had a seep of alchol let becuse it just isn't appealing. One of the problems thoughin the U.S. is taken to seriously. I thinkin Europe drinking is naturaly but it is done in a reassuring way. they drink but its not where you can get drunk out. Drinking alcohol can be done but it is moderated and should not be excessive. I also know tha tthe drinking age in europe is like 12 so its not a big deal there but here it is taken rather serious. What i'm saying is that getting drunk is bad but just having a single glass of one is not really a problem. its the excessive drinking that can ruin lives not the alcohol

Yeah, I think you can drink from the age of 5 at home (not that it's advisable) and 12 in restaraunts if you're with an adult. I'm not sure, I think that's right... You have to be 18 though to acually buy alcohol and I think there is a huge amount of people who get away with it even though they are about 3-4 years underage. A lot of people I know are constantly going on about how they went and got drunk or stoned in the night and woke up at 3 in the morning at a random guy's house... what I don't get is how their parents don't realise what they're up to (these are like 14 year olds) and if they do, why do they still let them go out. I've only tried a sip or two of alcohol and I thought it tasted horrible. Me and my friends once bought a can of shandy, when we went camping with school, to share between us, but that's probably the most... we thought we were being very reckless because the teachers had said no alcohol was allowed. Can I just point out that shandy is about 0.2% alcohol and the rest lemonade.

thats the problem. some peple drink regularly but in some kind of caution but not overly. the real problem with uderage drinking in the US is that when teenagers rink they drink too much, they don't know too much self control sometimes. if drinking was a casuall thin gthen overage of alcohol would be not as much as it is now

I'm bored, so I'm just going to continue my crazy life story and how alcohol was involved.

A couple of years ago, I started drinking- not much- the maximum always a can/bottle (beer/Cruiser, whatever) per party, which is very little. Then tolerance grew, so did all the animosity in my personal life (**** to do with miscarriages- you DON'T want to know!!)- and I got bored with the one drink, so i drank more. It was so easy- ever sice I was 14 I was buying my own alcohol down at the bottlo (or legal age is 18 in Australia). Anyway, I wont continue because thats pointless and you all can see, or imagine the possible outcomes, all of which I probably did/had happen to me. Those were my "darker"days. Now i'm normal and totally against teen binge drinking because I know what it can do to people- because wierd stuff has happened to me. Advice: REBEL....BE SOBER!!! Its NOT worth it!

-thesolitaryone-

well personility i don't like it because all fo my friends did it and they would get all drunk and it was stupid because their only 14-15 it is sick. so i didn't want to be there friend any more because they would call me stright-edge or something and it got me mad so i left. and haven't talk to them since and i found out like a week ago that they were caught on the street drunk and the police stopped them and i dont know what happen.

i really don't have much of a problem with underage drinking as long as the kid knows their limits and doesn't try to get behind a wheel. im all for having a good time as immoral as it is, you just got to make sure you don't overdo it, and do it responsibly. high school is one of the best times of your life, so im going to enjoy it

My first post in this thread! Woot.
My view on teenage binge drinking is that it shouldn't happen... but I think it also kind of depends. (I know I'm going against what I just said... I'm sorry, that's just how I am.)
I mean, if you're 14- stay away from the drinks. Honestly. But maybe 16-17... and in moderation- if you know your limit, don't go past it. And don't drive. That's just... not smart.

I cannot say I am completely against teenage drinking. Personally, I sometimes have a glass of champagne or something of that nature on special occasions, but I never get drunk. Even if I am home alone and know where the alcohol is - it's never really hidden - I never get the urge to go and drink half a bottle of vodka. I simply don't want to. So, if the drinking is in moderation, I think it's ok.
However, the problems start when a teenager is someone who can easily become addicted. Or, if a teen doesn't know when to stop and gets drunk every chance he/she gets.

But we can't create laws for each teen depending on the person's ability to control his/her drinking. So.. To be on the safe side, I suppose it is better to restrict underage alcohol consumption completely.
Yet, even though laws are enforced, it doesn't seem hard for teenagers to get their hands on beer, liquor, etc..

Oh, by the way, I do not believe that 12 is the legal drinking age in Europe..

The legal drinking age is 17 in most european countries. I really dont see much of a problem with drinking underage. I think its fine as long as you only goout about 2 times a week with mates. That's what I do and Im only 16 and its no problem. I go to boarding school and the school even has its own bar for the boys of 16 and up.

i will have a beer every now and then but never more than two and i never ever ever get drunk! im 17 and im not stupid ok i see no problem with a drink at 16 or 17 its just getting drunk i have a problem with i mean how stupid can you get? oh geee lets go get drunk and then do god knows what and not rember a thing about it!---yea thats a real smart attitude to have about it no i think a cold beer every so often is fine just as long as your not drunking to get away or loose a problem cuz thats stupid

For me personally it is the reason behind the drinking that is the important bit. If they are binge drinking to show off to their mates or who ever. I have this to say, grow up and get a life. If they are drinking because it is the only way they can find happiness then I am fine with that. They need help, not to be lectured about how stupid they are. Some people binge drink because their parents won't give them freedom or are not understanding. Everyone goes through a rebellious stage and some people can binge drink as part as rebellion. Some people do it because of child abuse or bullying or anger or depression. It is the reason behind it that is important not the fact that they are doing it but why they are doing it in my book.

There's one thing I have to say first: To Dumbledoreisalive and Golden Phoenix, in Europe buying alcohol is allowed when you are 18 or in some countries 21!
Of course there some differences between the single countries: In Germany you may drink alcohol when you're together with your parents in a restaurant or so and you may buy beer when you're 16, but you should be controlled buy whoever sells it. There are some stores where they do controll, in some they don't, but especially when you buy some harder stuff like vodka or whatever, they will ask you for your driver's license or something else, to know you're already 18.

I do drink something with my friends, but we make sure that nobody will drive when they drank something. Yet most of the teens did drink something before they turned 18 or even 16, but that is because their parents don't care enough (or they care too much)...
There's one thing left: Everybody knows that drinking and driving a car is very dangerous, but you should remember that you're a danger for other participants in the streets when you're drunk and you ride a bike or walk, too, because it's easy to run into a car or whatever...
Make sure you get home safely or stay sober!!!

I think alcohol is a horrible substance. Not being judgemental, I drink myself and have had my bad experiences with it, but it can really screw with your head.
Main reason for people binge drinking or becoming an alcoholic is depression... then the alcohol makes you a hell of a lot worse. Everyone goes through a rebellious stage, but alcohol is extremely dangerous and addictive- fact.
The fact there's a whole law on it, really makes rebellious teenagers want it more, as to well...break the law. I think alcohol should be introduced at a younger age as it is in some countries. If everyone makes it this 'big thing' people will go crazy with it when they finally get there hands on it. As for how easy it is for an underage person to get there hands on it, it's ridiculous.
But I agree with james pickles, the reason for someones drinking is the most important part.

Alcohol is almost inevitable to come across in some way in High School. All of my life I've chosen not to drink, I really don't plan on it either. Maybe when I'm of age--which is 21 in America--I'll have a glass of wine here and there or something, but, otherwise I really don't feel the need to at all. Not right now, under age especially.

The majority of people in my High School drink occasionally or get drunk at least every weekend. A lot of my friends do, and that's why I'm thankful for Harry Potter and the fact that I really enjoy being by myself or with my family at home and reading more than going out and partying. I really don't look down on people who party, or drink underage. I just think it's rather dangerous, and it can make people do unexpected, stupid things. And High School isn't the best time to make a life altering mistake.

A lot of us value the wrong things, and drinking under age is one of them.

<3

DISCLAIMER: VERY MESSED UP STORY...Lol.. I'm turning 17 in December and I drink nearly every day and have for a good year or so. [edited] I pride myself on being one of the biggest teen drunks I know.. If not the. Lmao. I'm very serious people... There's nothing wrong with me though, I mean I know my limits and I certainly don't do anything stupid.
[edited]

And as for it ruining my life.. well.. No. I maintain very good grades in my last year of HS and I only drive sober... Alcohol is the least of my vices so I am not at all worried. Alcohol is nothing. Maybe we should discuss the extreme use of drugs? Hmm? I myself have been witness to hundreds of teens under the influence of EVERY, yes, EVERY DRUG. And most of them have screwed their lives up but their is a certain thing called moderation. And while I do NOT support any of the big 3[H, Crack, & Crystal Meth] I don't see a problem really...
All in all I think I've had more experience in all of this than all of you on this forum put together x3... I personally have no problems with anything I do, I maintain a normal and
healthy life. What I do for fun is my own issues, it doesn't affect anything else. I can't say the same for alot of other teens. But, I know one thing- DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ARE VERY BAD. I have seen soooooooooo many friends and peers mess their lives up... On the other hand I have a very close group of friends that are not total junkies who have ran their lives into the dirt. Me? I'm fine. I really shouldn't have said anything.. but I have actually been very discreet, as opposed to what I HAVEN'T told you guys about. While I do do alot of things I shouldn't I know it IS bad and I would warn any other teen to JUST SAY NO.
This is all very real and very honest... take it as you want.

[edited]

I am 16 and already been through all of this stuff. It's not good, but I am one of the very few people who maintain a normal life throughout it... well, mostly normal.

But... I am a very good person, I'm one of the most caring and sincere people I know. I'm a vegetarian for one, I won't even touch meat. Meat is murder, ya dig? And I'm not actually even a junkie, I don't do stuff that often. And I'm responsible. [edited] Well, yeah, that's my story. Don't worry about me or take pity or hate me, I'm fine. [edited] If anybody wants to talk to me feel free to PM me... about anything.

[btw I'm not one of those crazy kill-your-mother-for-a-fix type junkies or anything lol]

hahahahahahahahahahahaa, that's why i dont oppose alcohol; becuase of all the great stories we get from it. I just love it when ill be sitting in math and my friend will tell me that girl i hooked up with last night was completely wasted, and ill just be like, "Huh? What girl? I dont remember that at all." HA

As long as people don't do anything really stupid im all for it.


Id like to make it clear that i whole-heartedly oppose drug abuse, i believe it is much more dangerous and have seen it screw up many kids' lives much more than alcohol.

[edited]

Okay. I think you guys have forgotten that this is a chat for children. I used to be a heavy alcohol drinker and i've....HA...STUFF IT

Okay...it is true that I dont drink anymore, but I'll share some stories.

[edited]


The truth is that it was alot of fun, but it does mess with your life. I ended up with miscarriages and other really dodgy stuff. I dont care if people try it, but dont be idiots. DONT FOLLOW IN MY EXAMPLE!!

i don't think teenagers drinking is a good thing. i know loads of friends and enemies that like to go up to the park at on a friday and just get hammered. i don't think it's the best idea in the world. anything could happen and a park is hardly the safest of places. i would write more but i got to take me little sister to the park i will write more later.

To be frank, drinking is an idiotic practice. I'll never understand the appeal. You're putting a toxin into your blood stream that interfers with cerebral and intestinal functions. And not in a good way! Your perception of reality is distorted and you lose the ability to respond reasonably to any given set of circumstances. And those of you who don't assume that's a green flag to keep drinking. If you're a heavy weight when it comes to drinking set a bottle limit to yourself.
Anyway about us teens drinking. Everyone I know my age drinks, smokes, takes drugs and started having sex around fifteen. I don't know about you all but that scares me and I sure as Hell is hot don't think it's okay.

[edited]
Drinking is a self chosen vice. Like church. Exactly like church.

And while I'm not comparing my love of drinking to people's faith in a mysterious higher power(AKA the government brainwashing a good percentage of this country's population) I would however like to say that somebody who CHOOSES to drink for recreation, to get away from things, or just to have fun is EXACTLY the same as somebody who CHOOSES to go to church or school or somebody who chooses to eat sand. It's all about one's own actions, you can't classify drinking as some senseless stupid act. People have been drinking forever, just because somebody are squares doesn't mean it takes anything away from the utter pleasure of drinking- lol.

Pleasure?!! I let it slide.
I understand that's it's your choice to drink the same way its your choice to drive twenty miles past the speed limit and ignore every stop sign on your way home. I don't have a problem with you destroying your braincells and damaging vital organs. So long as you are not put me at risk you can OD on heroine for all I care. My comments are directed soley to the general stupidity of drinking. I think any objective person would agree with me; drinking serves no useful purpose.

Lol you let it slide?

Wow. How amusing.....

Drinking and driving is one thing, nobody with any sense drinks and drives and that's the one rule with drinking- don't drive. You can't hold idiots who drink and drive and kill people to the same standard as people who drink safely and responsibly.

Let it slide or no, I actually know what I'm talking about. I have been on both sides of the coin. I am all sorts of messed up half the time and the other half completely sober.Mod Edited

If you really think about it nothing anybody does serves any real purpose. The point of life is enjoying yourself.

As a teen I have already been through SO much, so much that I don't have any reason to listen to any biased opinions from anybody. I was in a car with one of my best friends when we were hit by a drunk driver and my friend was killed, so for me to continue drinking is something in itself. I know what I'm talking about, okay?

Drinking isn't smart, it is very stupid. But nobody can critique somebody's CHOICE to drink, you know what I'm saying?

I mean somebody can go ahead and bite my head off for the act of me drinking, but to say anything about my choice is another thing.

Mod edited- please refer to my post below

Whoa! Ok, after receiving several complaints about this thread, I can understand completely why.

I'd like to refer you to the first of our rules of the forum- do not create a hostile environment. I'm sorry, however name calling, such as 'prude', can be quite offensive and I don't believe that it is fair to judge other people's beliefs and actions as being prudish.

As for this thread, I'd like to remind people that the thread is to talk about your opinions on teenagers engaging in drinking activities. It's to let people know if you approve of under age drinking, why you'd allow your own teenagers to drink (or will in the future) and what consequences- positive or negative- you believe can come from drinking.

It is NOT a place to compare drunken exploits or brag about adventures. Any further posts of this nature will be deleted without notification.

I'd also like to remind people that we have members as young as ten on here that I know of- possibly even younger. What is said on this forum should be appropriate for ALL participants to read- drunken exploits and propositions to others are NOT appropriate. Several of the above posts have now been edited.

Please feel free to PM me if there are any questions. This thread will be being closely monitored

Sorry Pixy.

I wasn't calling anybody in particular prude.

I can understand why as well, I myself have gone into, though not as much as I could, some detail of my fabulous exploits which are a tad more than R rated. But I just want to make it clear that I do NOT support teenage drinking being an avid drinker myself or no, I just want to make my intentions clear.

Drinking is a CHOICE. One that should not be made lightly...

Indeed not. And so wise you must be at the wordly age of 17 to completely understand the full consequences of your actions, of course.

I wonder if you've considered liver cancer, hepatitus, lowered sperm counts, permanent cerebral damage (that you may never even become aware of...just minor memory problems, trouble concentrating), narrowed arteries, stomach cancer and any number of other physical effects - and this is without the social effects, such as actions you may take whilst drunk.

There's a very good campaign being run here in Britain at the moment about the problems binge drinking can cause, but I have very low hopes for any effects it may have on people who will do exactly as they want anyway. I remember mates of mine being completely unaffected by the anti-smoking adverts, making comments such as 'oh well, you've got to die of something', or 'nah, you've got to have family history for that sort of thing' and other such perfectly reasonable justifications for moronic behaviour. I don't think the anti binge drinking ads will have any different effect. Sadly.

Ah well...I'm sure that one day the dangers of binge drinking will become very apparent. When people start dying of liver cancer and have to explain to their children why they've got this disease.

And I'd just like to wholeheartedly echo Pix's sentiments. I foolishly added my vote to allowing this thread to remain open when the issue was raised with the staff. We don't appreciate chances we give being abused. If this thread needs to be warned again, you're going to lose it. Up to you. I suggest everyone pays very close attention to everything Pix has said.

Now it' common everywhere because all the teens think that it's cool to take in alcohol.One of y friends,sits near me.The way she behaves with me is all normal.One day she leaned across to talk to one boy.She said to him to stop drinking alcohol and smoking since it's hazardous to health.The boy who was taken by suprise replied that she should also stop it.I was really shocked since she never told me.I asked her about this and she told it's only thrice a week she does that.She told me it's out cuoriosity she is doin' that.

Teens spoiling their lives because out of curiosity and family problems.If parents are in fight they won't be able to give more attention to their children.And because of this they get really disappointed and start spoiling their own lives.I told my mother about this girl and my mother told me to stay away from this girl(for the fear that she might spoil me).But I told my all she needs is someone to guide her,to spend more time with her.I did that and she became more closer to me telling her family problems and stuff like that.After a few days she told me that she had left that habits.

ok i wouldnt say im for or against it but in my opinion i did it my parents let me and i turned out fine my mates that werent allowed well thats another story what im saying is if you let them but make it in controlled conditions like at home they wont look at it as being rebillious so in take wont push its limits and do stupid things or do it every second a blind eye is turned so thats my take sorry about no full stops and commas everyone

Teens who go out once or twice a week, drink as much alcohol as they can pour down their necks and then pass out because of it. That's binge drinking. You see scene's like this all over the country. Why do they do it? Peer pressure? To look older. It's not because they find it enjoyable surely.

Young girls who binge drink should be especially careful. Anything can happen to you when you're in an incapcitated state. And as Louise said, the damage to the liver, ferility and the other things it causes need to be thought about before you lift that alco-pop to your lips.

I don't drink, not at all, I don't like not being it control of my actions and that's what binge drinking does to you.

When I think of binge drinking, I think of students being twats and school kids trying to be twats - and succeeding.

The key to drinking is to do it for enjoyment. The moment it's not about that, but about escaping, or losing control, it can't be good, because that's ideal circumstances for abusing it. There are better ways to deal with stress. I do enjoy a drink or two, or a few , depending on circumstances, but I don't go out with the purpose of getting drunk.

Alcohol has a certain gemütlichkeit about it that makes it much more fun to enjoy with friends. Don't ask me why, but if, for example, you're just ordering one round, it's just very different from ordering Coke. Milkshake is a bit like that too, eh? To go have a drink, or to go out for a milkshake is a form of cultural expression. If that element is present, drinking doesn't have that negative connotation. It's a social activity.

Ok, but alcohol has a physical effect on you, so it shouldn't be overdone - but it's a bit like milkshake again. Frankly, I have had worse 'too much milkshake' experiences than 'too much alcohol' experiences. It comes down to the same thing in the sense that it's never good to overdo something. The problem with alcohol, though, is that overdoing it doesn't just give you stomache ache. It's a health risk, and it has social implications too.

Moderation sounds flipping boring, I know, but I feel as though the boundaries I want to push do not include seeing how much of an idiot I can be. There are more interesting boundaries that could actually mean something if they were pushed, so why channel your energy into something as pointless as behaving like a prat?

Wow. "... nobody with any sense drinks and drives."

Nobody with sense gets drunk everyday either. Drinking for recreation is one thing being an alcoholic is another.

I think you should see someone about that.

Teenage drinking is great when a) you're 18 and are legal in some places in Canada or b ) 19 and are of legal age.

Disagree? We should meet some time. I have a few friends who wear a bit of blue i'd like you to meet.

Lol first off let me say that me being an alcoholic is my choice.

17 or no I take responsibility for my own actions.

I come from a very different place than most of you, I take care of myself nowadays, and I have to be 21 where I live to drink, Ohio.

I don't need to see anybody about anything, because the honest fact is if I felt like stopping I could, I have no intentions or desires to.

Friends in blue? Is that referring to rehab, hospital, police, or jail?

I have alot of friends in all 3 of those, trust me.

I've lost more friends than I can count and it sucks, alot to drug abuse, violence, and all that other stuff. There is absolutely nobody here that is going to tell me anything about bad habits lol. Because the honest truth is, going on 17 I have done MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more than any of you have yet disclosed. So, by all means I belive I'm the one to be consulted about the matter.

Afterall this, it isn't an argument about me needing help or being superior to anybody in bad habits, it's the fact that TEENS SHOULD NOT DRINK. Period.

I'm not a good example but I don't pretend to be, and I don't drink EVERY day, very nearly. But I am VERY responsible with my actions.

I've never been to jail for drinking, I've never droven drunk, and I've certainly never done anything I REGRET drunk.

It seems as if a discussion is brewing!

Laurette: I understand completely what you are saying about the milkshake thing. My friends and I would never go to a carnival to get water, juice, or soda with my friends, to say "lets go get a milkshake after school" is exactly what you said, a social tool. The same goes for alcohol, it is a social tool. It's common ground for most people to say "lets go out for a drink after work", it just breaks the ice. BUT as with everything, moderation is the key. Milkshakes would be just as bad as alcohol if my friends and I sat in my basement and drank enormous amounts of milkshake... so much that we were vomiting, and seriously ill.. then it is no longer a social tool, but stupidity, and not cool at all, just like Alcohol.



This deeply disturbs me... do you think that drunk driver really intended on killing your friend that night? No, he didnt, but it happened anyway. By drinking at such a young and impressionable age you open yourself up to endless risks. Alcohol effects the brain in a huge manner, therefore making you more vulnerable to succumbing to peer pressure while intoxicated, and we all know the results of peer pressure seems to have no bounds. So having little (or no) control of your body while drunk opens you up to the possibility of you yourself driving, and in turn possibily killing someone as well. So, may I ask, how do you know what you're talking about?





Exactly...



I could drive to your house in less than a day... at the most! So I do not think location has anything to do with it.



Oh my... I am seventeen, and I would not be proud to admit that "I have done MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, more than any of you have yet disclosed.." And why, may I ask, do you think you should be consulted? That does not make sense to me. You admit to being an alcoholic, you admit to having done so "MUCH more", and you admit that you are not a good example.... so why should be consult you. The logic isnt adding up Im afraid. This is a huge reason why teens are so distrusted, most of us think we know what is best, well I am sorry to say, you are going to wish you knew what was best when the worst that can happen actually does happen, and I hope no body else pays for your mistakes. I live close enough, so I daresay I will hear about...




Laurette!! My favorite german word! I am pleased to see it in text once again...its been so long

I hope we arent forming grudges here, for I, personally, enjoy a firm debate such as this

~Albus

My daughter is 17. She has drunk too much and spent the night with her head down the loo saying never again. I'm no fool, I know she'll do it time and again until she realises the bottom of the loo is no great place to look at.

Thanks to someones excesses I nearly lost my life, that's why I don't drink. My husband drinks socially and I don't have a problem with that or anyone else who chooses to drink. I just feel afraid for the young people for whom alcohol has become an important part of having a good time.

Wow, yeah.

You are getting the wrong impression. I am NOT bragging about anything, I'm not PROUD of anything. I'm content with my lifestyle.

I am disappointed that somebody would take what I said in such a bad way, what I meant by that was I have been through so much and enough that I don't have to listen to anybody's critique of my choices, my decisions in life- not up for debate. I was simply making a point- that I know exactly what I'm talking about.

MOD EDIT: And responding to a PM that has been taken private to avoid confrontation in a thread is also against the rules. If you want to respond to a PM that has been sent to you, please do so through a return PM.

If ANYBODY disagrees with my actions, that's fine and dandy. But do NOT pm me trying to tell me I'm full of this and that. Because I don't get on anybody else for staying sober.

Albus- who said I needed to be consulted?

I surely didn't, I need absolutely nobody to tell me anything about what I do in my own life lol, nobody knows my life better than me.

AS for people trying to tell me something about the stuff I do- I'm not listening to it.

I can't see how it's reasonable for somebody to try and get on me for stupid things like that, but it's fine. I guess I can be the bad guy. PLEASE SAVE ME! Oh lord I'm on a downward spiral!! Ahh. Yeah right lol. It's called reality, as I've said before, and I for one am perfectly content with it.

Albus- I don't get how you didn't understand what I was saying. The only thing that I've tooken seriously in this forum is that- I figured you would have understood I wasn't bragging- but affirming my knowledge of the discussion.


Lastly(for this post anyways) I think people should lighten up and stop trying to take everything I say as an excuse to go on some public tyrade to further their face cards, hmm?

Jarn, could you cut down on the caps lock, please? Rather use the bold and italics tags to emphasise certain words if you want to.



I agree with you completely, so can we please move on? You keep using yourself as an example, but you refuse to listen to other's opinions about it. I think we'll be better off discussing the idea in more general terms. You take a defensive line when people say binge drinking is bad, only to come to the conclusion that binge drinking is bad. It looks to me like we're not really going anywhere.



Glad to be of assistance, Tom! It's such a perfect word for the situation here, isn't it? That's exactly how I've grown up thinking about alcohol. Must be the fact that I'm almost half-German... There are few things as gemütlich as enjoying a drink with friends. One of my plans is to visit the south of Germany and go beer testing!



I know a young man of the same age who has experienced it too. I guess it's a lesson hard learnt, but it's always good to get it right sooner rather than later.

I know I am very sick of this topic but I am continually in a position to defend my actions so, lol. I'm sorry about the caps, I know I know I know but it's a habit. Sorry.

Lang, and anybody else who is trying to get on me- I don't care lol, it just doesn't matter what anybody thinks, so, sorry but I'm not arguing annnyyymooore.

I will say this- I am very happy with my life- full of drugs and alcohol and on a downward spiral or not lol. It's o k a y! I am a very happy and peaceful person, I just don't need this drama. I am responsible for myself and have been since I was 15 years old. I have not once tried to claim I have more experience in anything than drugs and alcohol, for which I am in a better position to speakon the matter than somebody who has done nothing and tries to preach about it. Is all I'm saying. Lang I am not PMing you back but as for the war and people dying in other people's arms- I've been to the county more times than I would like to admit and I have been in the room with very close friends and family dying. So Lang- man, woman, whatever- just chill out lol. I'm not even going to argue with you about something so irrelevant as this. Why can't you just get along w/ me? That's cool, I like being the villain!

(pretty cool last words, no?)





But as for 17 year olds having their head in the loo, yeah. Started saying never again at 12. And for some reason I'm still doing it.

Bad Habits.

I don't get why people would try to get on me when I'm trying to say, mainly, that, DRINKING IS BAD. And so are drugs, don't do drugs either lol.

I think, and this is just my take on why people are "getting on you" is because you may say that drinking is bad, but everything else you say contradicts that statement. You enjoy drinking. You drink often. You see no problem with your own drinking. You're even blasse about your drinking and drug use. That's what has been portrayed through your posts, anyways . . .so it seems a tad hypocritical to be excited and happy about your own substance abuse and then to admonish us that you think it is bad. I'm not getting on you, it's your life and you're the one who has to live with your decisions so long as they don't effect anyone else adversely.

Moving on-

In and of itself, I don't feel that alcohol is bad at all. Teenage binge drinking, though? I don't think that is fine. For one, I have a respect for the laws and age-limits put to us in society; and I respect them enough to follow them. I agree with many here that have stated that that type of excessive drinking is bad on your body, your mind, your senses. It impairs . . .whether that is comprehended by the one drinking or not.

Passerby yes that is extremely hypocritical of me, in a fashion. And whoever is getting on me isn't fully comprehending what I'm saying. The bottom line is that ALTHOUGH I do whatever I do I do NOT support other people's use of alcohol and drugs. You know? I can go and get wasted all day but if at the end of the night I say to somebody "Don't touch the stuff, it's the worst thing in the world." then nobody can really say anything to me about my use as long as I hold myself responsible and don't endanger anybody.. but myself. You see?

And whilst I still don't approve of drugs it is a way of life for alot of people, alot of people's sole incomes are that of drug pushing, etc. That's not really the topic but it's those same people who go and waste their lives with drugs and alcohol and lose control.

But it's all about choices, I am content with my choice to do what I want and I am responsible for myself. I am completely aware of how bad it is for you, but the thing is, which everybody may not realize is- that I don't care, at all. However I'm not advocating my actions, and I'm only happy with them because it makes me happy to do as I please.

I am firmly and completely 100% against teenage binge drinking and binge drug use. But my own actions don't really reflect on my choice to think it's not appropriate.


People- I am In Control, I am Aware of the consequences, I Don't Care.

So, I have just as much position as anybody else to say no to binge drinking and drugs. I mean, to say no against them, no to them lol.

Ok, jarn, this is enough.


We realise that. We don't even have the slightest problem with you drinking (except for Lang, who was merely concerned about you), and what you don't understand is that the conversation has long moved on from you and your habits. We were discussing completely different scenarios in between. You've said what you had to say, more than once, and you've made the same points over and over. We get it.

For the benefit of younger kids reading this, I'll comment on some of the things you've said, and with that, the topic of your habits and lifestyle will be over. You have been asked to move on by 4 of the mods, so we really have been very patient, but I'm afraid that's it now. If you reply to this thread with the slightest reference to yourself, it will result in an official warning for disregarding the staff. Not because we think you shouldn't drink, or because we think you're an 'alcoholic' - we don't care, but we do care about whether you respect the staff on this site.


Are you listening to yourself? You're saying, in one sentence, that you haven't claimed to have more experience, and that you should know, because you have more experience. That's not logical, mate.


Why then, are you constantly using yourself as an example? You can't expect people to comment on your posts without making reference to your own choices, because that's all you talk about. No wonder you feel you have to defend yourself the whole time - you're quoting yourself the whole time.


Forgive me if I didn't follow the logic in that statement of yours. I thought it was pretty basic that the choices you make reflect what you believe. Silly me.


Maybe this is the main reason why no-one here is following what you're trying to say. You've lost loved ones to this lifestyle, and you're happy about continuing to live it? Mate, I seriously don't understand that. It's not that I haven't read all your posts, I have, and I flatter myself my comprehension skills are quite adequate to understand the words. It's the idea I don't understand.


Your provoking tone of being the one in control is uncalled for here. I don't know about Lang, but if someone tells me to chill out, the last thing I want to do is chill out. Lang was just concerned, like you keep telling us all to be about drugs and alcohol, and he doesn't deserve your derogatory remarks.

Further, there was never any mention in this thread about you and Lang arguing over something, so I assume it must have been via pm? In that case, keep it via pm, please. It's off topic in here. See passerby's comment above.

Ok, that's enough about jarn's lifestyle. Any further comments on the matter can be made via pm.

Janet, I agree with you about the law. I tend to forget about that, because I never really had reason to worry about it, but it's true. From a moral, health, social, whatever perspective binge drinking is a bad idea, but it's against the law too, which should be enough for everyone, really, no matter what moral stance you have on the idea itself.

I agree, Janet. The laws are there for a very good purpose - the problem is that we don't fully realize this until we are adults. I rememeber being the ignorant teen who went out drinking often. I look back on it now and cringe. How could I have been so stupid? How could I be so careless? How could I be so reckless?

It sometimes jolts me to reality to realize how many times I could have died or killed someone else - or at least witnessed the death by other's hands - when I was younger. Then I realize that that realization never dawned on me then. Why? Is it true that our brains just can't wrap themselves around the necessary concepts in order to show retraint in drinking? As an adult, I have many drinks that are my favorite. But I can say with all seriousness that I have not binged in a loooong time. Why would I? It seems, now, a pointless thing to do.

The laws are diferent around the country/world with respect to drinking, but I believe they could be even tougher. Maybe the consequences rather than the laws. I scares me what teenagers and even adults can do behind the wheel of a car when they have been drinking. So, so scary.

Whilst binge drinking and alcohol related disorders is not my speciality, I did have to work with one of my friend regarding the correlation between high stess/anxiety and binge drinking and she brought to my attention many many facts that I was unaware of.



That is so true, I always considered the biological problems,which are substantial, (oh my goodness I nearly became 100% teetotal when I read about korsacoffs syndrome during a memory lab - it is terrifying and occurs more often than people would like the believe )- But thinking about the social implications during that particular lab opened my eyes

Consider, for example, the effect that groups of teenagers wandering the streets binge drinking has, I know that I would be very intimidated by this, also what about the parents and friends of those teenagers who drink to excess - my friend took several accounts of parents of such teens and it was heart breaking to read (I would hate to put either of my parents through that), whilst they may seem that they are trying to supress you, they are (as cliche as it sounds) trying to help you (during my teenage years, I went through I bit of a rebellion, but now I am firm friends with my parents and cringe at some of the things I used to do).

Also, I suppose that it is considered 'cool' to drink during your teenage years, but I am almost 100% certain that this view is not shared with a majority of the general population, and even worse when it is carried on into adulthood. Indeed, I work part time in a shop (to earn money for my studies) and the sight of alcoholics attempting to steal (many of them do, although not all), or try to cover their alcoholism is at once bth laughable (it is very frowned upon is society and many people laugh at those individuals) and saddening (what drove those poor people to do it)

Whilst it may seem cool now, and many in society find it appaling, at least think about whether the friends you are trying to 'fit in' with or impress will be there for you in the future, will they still make you feel cool or will they have deserted you (having opted for a 'better-life') or will they share your torment at what you may have lost. Trust me, it really isn't cool to do it to excess.

It may seem that drinking is what adult do, and thus by doing it you will also be deemed as such - but even adults regret their actions during drinking, and others take great pleasure in embarrasing them about what they did whilst drunk

Furthermore, there is a stepping stone hypothesis, which states than any intoxicating drug, be it cannabis or alcohol etc - increases the probability of using 'harder' drugs - would you want to be driven by the need to aquire cocaine, heroine etc - losing you job, friends and self-dignity - many people who binge drink have beenshown to either become 'hard core' alcoholics or dependant on other drugs - many of whom state that when they have managed to fight their way off these drugs (and believe me, only a few manage to succeed in coming off them), that it was like being re-awakened, like they had been unconscious for years.



I agree wholeheartedly, it is very difficult to comprehend at that age the effects in the long-term, at that age I felt like I was eternal, now I realise otherwise and that pumping my body with assorted chemicals will have effects that cannot be escaped from, we only get one body - you can't take it in for an exchange or refund should it become faulty,

but I remember seeing people who were 30 and thinking that they were ancient and so far away, I am now well on my way to becoming that age, and understand how acts done during teenage years can significantly impact our health, wellbeing and quality of life when we are older.

At 16, I thought I knew everything, now I am glad to release that I didn't and still don't - why deprive yourself of all the wonderful things that you could experience and learn from, being numb is a terrible feeling, whilst you manage to stop a majority of pain and hurt that may come your way, you are also supressing any good emotions in addition to causing many more hurt feelings and problems - I can't possibly see how hurting ones parents and yourself cannot have some impact, however, this reflecst the circular nature of binge drinking - that seeing such effects may increase th initial hurt and thus cause subsequent drinking and so on and so on.

At such a young age, it is impossible to believe that anyone can understand the complex emotions and feeling running through you, no one could have possible experiences what you have - however when you think of the vast population , is it really that difficult to think that maybe, just maybe, at least one person could understand


Indeed, and my friend suggested that drinking in itself is used as a coping mechanism (as mentioned above) and that the defense of which is incorporated into the behaviour itself, very much in the cirular relationship as aforementioned. It is sort of lik being trapped, and then the bad feeling of being trapped make the desire to drink occur again, then when someone objects to this behaviour, the desire returns as a consequence of the feelings and emotions - whilst all the time ultimately feeling (even subconsciously) bad for doing it

Futhermore, several people have mentioned how you may be taken advantage off when inebrievated and I fully agree with this do, it is a rather dangerous game to play.

Alcohol, by its ature, numbs you and supresses rational thought, therefore being exploited sexually or being particularly violent may not feel such a big deal at the time, but such things have consequences and mau haunt you in the long term. One of my old friends had such an experience, and managed to pass it of as purely physical at the time, but she changed, I'm quite sure that at the time she didn't even realise how much (which also hightened her desire to numb such feelings futher), but little things like almost assulting someone when they put their hand on er shoulder, demonstrated that she did that there was at least an unconscious pain associated with what happened, which should could not run away from - this may sound hard and heavy, but it happens more often than even I dared to believe


my friend suggested to those individuals who took part in that lab, writing down their ideal life (for example, mine would consist of living in a remote cottage, continuing my research, still being with my partner and attempting to chase Dusty (my kitten) away from my socks), and then comparing it to what you presently have, and then suggesting ways in which you might change it. She suggested that a majority of people binge drink because of depression, anxiety (thats where I came in ) , lack of social support etc - perhaps it would be a good idea to actuall express or write dwn your worries and feeling, either to keep to yourself or to present to a doctor so that they might help to treat any underlying (typically affective) biological, personality or social problems or at the very least suggest where help might be sought.

A recurrent aid that proved to be useful was to actually, prior to taking a drink, writing down or marking down that you were going to drink. For example,


it is very simple to do, but will make you more aware of actually having a drink, this is particularly helpful after 3 or 4 drinks when conscious actions become quite problematic and desires and action seem to be at the forefront of your mind, this help you to actually think about what you are doing whilst you are doing, whilst also presenting the opportunity to look back at the frequency and amount of alcohol intake the next day

Also, a ver handy trick, it to drink half a can (or glass) and then fill it up with lemonade, thus you still get to fulfil the actions of drinking ad feeling the fizziness and taste whilst lessening the actual alcohol intake - it sound silly but it actually help. Since it has been repeatedly shown that many people do not actually enjoy the taste but perform the actions in a similar fashion to OCD (obsessive compulsive), where the action of drinking, lifting you arm, taking a gulp and feeling the fizziness go down you throat, is more important that any consideration of inebriation.


After all, who like sthat dizziness (I hated that, when you are in such desperate need of sleep but can't because the room is spinning), the sickness, the smell, sweat and feeling horrid - it is not very ice, is a few hours of numbeness worth the increasingly harsh hangover associated with it?

I am no expert on this matter, but if anyone would like any help regarding binge drinking, my friend got back to me yesterday, and said that she would be more than happy to give advice to people - It must be said that we are both currently doing are PhDs and are not yet Doctors, but I know that she is very knowledgable in the field that she had specialised in and feels very strongly about the underlying causes of it.

I am sorry for mumbling on for so long, and it is hard to take a lecture off someone much older who thinks that they have 'been there, done that,' but hey, many of us have , and regret it

I remember thinking 'yeah, yeah; about the lectures about not smoking and the claims that they wished that they hadn't started - well now after a few years of doing so , I'm claiming the same -

perhaps if all these people are saying the same thing, then maybe just maybe there is something in it eh

I wish you well and thank you for reading my word, and hope that some of them may make sense (as well as those very knowledgeable and correct statements by many others I have read on here) and apply to your particular situation.

But I must say,that at least coming onto this thread, shows that you at least want to discuss you drinking habit, - rather than sitting back and ignoring you rproblem as so many do. and that must be applauded.

it may soud like gobble-de-gook, but lets face it many of the people respinding have at least had one night they regret - why partake in drinking when it leaves such a long lasting bad feeling about it

I'm not having a go at people who binge drink, I have learnt through experience and through labs that it often a coping stylein response to an underlying problem, the way to beat it, is to find anoher way of coping - since you are on a Harry Potter website, I am guessing that you enjoy reading - perhaps try reading more or attempting to write your own story or even art - many people who binge drink are affected by bipolar tendancies, these have been shown to have significant creative abilities (wanting not to numb these abilties via pharamacological treatments), so perhaps creativity could be your outlet, rather than numbing such a gift (or turning to violence)

Counselling, it is a tricky thing - I remember telling one from the offset that I was specialising in the neurology of affective disoders, then when he continued to tell me about panick attacks I thought 'well if you aren't going to listen to me...' - but I changed my counsellor and viola, he listened to me and was very very good and we made substantial progress - so perhaps trying a counsellor that is right for you is the key, many of them do a very good job, but they aren't perfect and can't possibly be expected to know everything, so they key is finding one that suits you

Have you ever seen a 50+ year old, struggling to make ends meat, just to buy that last little bit of alcohol they need to live on, typically working a minimum wage 9 til 5 or or on job seekers - applauded and looked upto for their lifestyle

No, well my that is surprising , many of such people when interviewed said that their problems stemmed from childhood binge drinking


It is not to be frowned upon, going to a counsellor or admitteing that you have a problem is far from showing weakness, it shows strength, it ashows that you wish to improve yourself and want to be a better person than you already are - none of us are perfect and at sometime along the way, we all need help - the strength is in taking it



I agree, ah such as it was aith AIDS, nothing was thought of the sexual prmiscuity and random unprotected sexual exploits - until people started being killed off by the spread of HIV and AIDS, - I certainly hope that alcohol drinking doesn't represent this generations AIDS, because the consequences are just as deadly - consisting of long term, painful illness typically resulting is an early and painful death. My cousin dyed of AIDS and after getting it, he became an active member in increasing awareness etc - fortunately now such awareness is hgh, I certainly hope that the loss of so many lifes won't be the price that we pay for binge drinking awareness and prevention.

Wow, Vlvet. That was a wonderful and informative post. I wanted to add a 'real life' experience to the list of things that have been postd here as a result of a binge drinking night.

My husband was in the military for over 8 years. During that time, his last 4 years were as an instructor. He trained very young and veryimpressionable young men. One of th rules was that th young men wre not allowed to go to certain areas surrounding the military base. Why, I would ask. That doesn't seem fair that the military can control that much of these guy's life even off duty. But he sat me down and explained to me an epidemic among these young men and the scary and sometims nausiating results of them going out and binge drinking.

Here is what would happen; A group of 'invinsible' young men would get together and go out for a night on the town. Drinking, smoking, dancing, partying.....it was wild, wild, wild! One young man would 'hook up' with a female. One thing would lead to another and they would seek "alone time". The night would pass into day....the young man would wake up and...see that they had been robbed. No money. No credit cards. Nothing. Sometimes ( please forgive me for relaying this to a younger audience, but since we are sharing the effects of an adult beverage - younger people need to see all of the results) they will find out that during thir peroid of drinking, they blacked out, and were in the company of not the hot chick they picked up in the bar, but a man dressed as a woman. Not kidding. They are forced at this point to call thier instructor (my husband) and confess the situation (seek medical attention) and then get help to get home.

So you see, the young men who binge drink are at just as much risk as women for personal and bodily harm whilst under the influence of heavy drinking. It is scary an humiliating for anyone. I can only imagine how terrible for any young person to get over.

Very good post Velvet. I could not of said it better.

I too want to relate a real life experience. In High School my best friend and I were pretty equal in our academic life and ambition in life. Both in the same Honors classes and both making good grades. About the time we started 11th grade we started drifitng. He had taken up drinking quite heavily. This continued on through out the rest of High School.

He started college but dropped out while I went on and finished with an Engineering degree. He then entered the Navy. His drinking only got worse. He actually was laughing when he relayed to me the time he got into major trouble for telling his CO to F-off. Well after two years, the alcohol had damaged his liver and he was given a medical discharge from the Navy.

Last time I saw him was five years ago. He was divorced and living on his own. We were at a friends wedding. The friend who was getting married had realized his own drinking problem and was completely sober now. The reception was alcohol free. My friend hid a bottle in his pants when he got there and drank all through out the reception. Really sad to watch.

To this day he can not hold a job for very long. His High School binge drinking ruined what could have been a promising career and life. I am not going to sit here and say that alcohol is all bad. It is not unusual for me to drink a glass or two of wine in the evening to relax after a stressfull day. But you need to be mature enough to understand the effects it has on you. The drinking age is there for a reason.

Yes, binge drinking is a huge problems amongst teens nowadays. Some think it's just socially acceptable and cool to do so. I think more regulations, rules, laws, etc. should be set up to ensure less alcohol consumption of teens. Of course, you can't completely eliminate the problem, but there are ways to improve the situation which is getting steadily worse. Reading the different stories on here, magazines, books, etc. shows the harsh reality of binge drinking and how many lives it affects - not just the drinker, but friends, family, boyfriends or friends, etc.

Wow...leave this threads for a day or two and it explodes with popularity....took me like half an hour to read all of it.

I see two sides....jarn vs. everyone else....

I can see where jarn is coming from. He is obviously happy with his life, drugs or no drugs. It is no good to keep reminding us of it....that only makes enemies hun.....but he does have a semi-valid point. Drinking is the choice of the drinker. They can either succumb to temptation, peer pressure or whatever the hell else, or they cannot. Everyone has a certain level of control- it is whether or not they use that control for something beneficial (a.k.a health) or something they will feel the next morning (a.k.a hangover). Teenagers have gone through years of education from adults, learning the consequences of alcohol abuse and are informed well in advance the temptations they may receive....the choice is theirs. People are born with free will, and as long as they stay away from the wheel of a car, I am happy. Myself of all people are not to judge given my history. But that is behind me.

As for everyone else, you are probably right. Drinking is bad, it ruins your life etc. I am not going to give an action replay of Velvet's post, but I will reinforce her points. Drinking has the potential for lasting consequences-physical and mental. Drinking every now and then is fine, but when you get to the point where it becomes part of your weekend in high amounts, you need to reconsider. Doing it once or twice in your life is tolerable, because everyone is curious, but caution needs to be taken. One cannot describe the side effects of alcohol abuse. Some wounds run too deep- I just hope no-one falls to that state.

Well, that's my two cents.

love love

-thesolitaryone-

Teenage binge drinking is bad no matter what. I know because when I was in high school I did it and alot of my friends did it. When I was in college I binge drank at least 4 nights a week. I am not proud of this fact, I got myself into some pretty sticky situations while binge drinking. I even got put in jail one night for doing this and being stupid enough to drive a car. I don't binge drink anymore, although occassionally I do have a mixed drink or a beer but I don't binge anymore. It can be dangerous and the long term effects of this can be bad. I have seen many of friends turn into alcoholics by the age of 18 or 21 because of wild drinking in high school. I don't see anything wrong with teens experimenting with drinking as long as it is controlled within the home by the parents. If a parent controls the alcohol then the teen will be less likely to indulge behind their backs. I have a teenage son, even though he shows no interest at all in drinking, if the day comes and he would like to try it then he will be monitored and not be allowed to leave my home.
Thats the prob with th United States they make such a big deal about this and it drives teens to want to do it more. If this country was more relaxed about the whole drinking bit like alot of European countries are then maybe our alcoholism rate among young people would not be so high. But as someone else pointed out earlier, it is the drinker who controls the amount that they drink. Be responsible with what you do and how much you do it.
And remember DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

I agree with DracosLady, except about the teenage rebellion part. The mere fact that alcohol is frowned upon isnt the only reason that teens do it. A lot of it envolves peer pressure. I say that, despite the fact that I dont understand peer pressure. Many people succumb to it when in reality the only reason they do is because they are afraid of not being cool. But, then again, what is cool? Well, according to what I just said, its apperently the urge to drink large quanites of a substance that has no nutrional value, kills brain cells, and damages bodily organs, while at the same time causing the indivual to act the complete oppisite of there normal personiality, and do things they will later regret. Is this really the idea of cool? Is this what teens believe in? I have a hard time beliveing that. To me, this isnt a battle of teen rebillion, but the mere lack of common sense. Any one person who believes that risking your life to have more friends... wait, scratch that because a true friend will actually care about you, is purely stupid. If you want to rebel agianst your parents or the goverment, or any other authority figure, try a less... I dont know... idotic way of doing so.

This is opioin, so dont take it personally. Just learn from it.