New Drinker ... Any words of advise??

Lots of advice here man to take mine for what it is - realistic:

Enjoying beer, wine, liquor socially or at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Learning and understanding the chemistry, history etc. of Single-Malt scotch for example is amazing. Same with Bourbon/Whiskey. Beer has taken on a whole new life over the last decade or so with the microbrews and wine is an entirely different world. What I am saying is if you are going to "start" drinking then enjoy some of the peripheral benefits - socially and otherwise - of actually learning something about what you are drinking. It tends to drive moderation because you are drinking something you are actually interested in and enjoy - for example - going to a wine tasting or Bourbon tasting rarely ends up with you drunk and allows you to meet people and learn and then truly enjoy and savor what you order when out a bar/restaurant or event as well as what you purchase to enjoy at home.

You mention that one motiviation is avoidance of spending time alone and allowing you to spend more time at bars and meet people. I can tell you that drinking when sad, feeling alone and being in a bar can be a bad "cocktail" - no pun intended - for making things worse. Alcohol is a depressant and generally exacerbates whatever mood you are in initially. So if you are in a good mood a bit of alcohol can bump that mood up for a while before the depressing (chemical not mental) effects kick in. This usually results in having a great time and then being tired as hell later. Drinking when already sad or in a bad mood has the same effect albeit your bad feeling get worse. So - I would advise drinking when you are in a good mood rather that drinking to GET in a good mood.

As far as being alone - You can feel alone in a bar full of 200 people so the "social" aspects of just going to a bar, ordering a drink and being around people does not necessarily help and in fact can hurt. My advice is to find a common reason to end up at a bar or gathering where there is alcohol. This way you have something to start a conversation about and some common interests. This can be done with or without alcohol and helps the lonliness or chances of meeting someone.

As far as your questions, you won't throw up after sipping some wine, beer or even hard liquor. Stick to the standard stuff until you figure out what you like and don't like as well as what "agrees" with you. For example, I drink a lot of wine and also enjoy Bourbon/Whiskey but the taste of most hard-core Scotch makes me want to yack. Tequila makes me want to either fight or f__ck so I stay away from that! Start slow and don't get into some shot mania or rounds of Car Bombs until you get used to what affects you, how and when.

LASTLY - The statement "I will never drink and drive" is commedable but not realistic. If you are out at bars and events and consuming alcohol you WILL drink and drive at some point - period. Some situation will arise or a friend will need you or your buddy will need a ride home or... or... etc. What you MUST do is understand that the ONLY thing that gets you sober is TIME. So figure how much you can drink and still be safe and legal and put that non-negotiable plan into your brain. If and when you exceed that then take a cab, hire a limo, get a hotel room etc. Believe me - you can hire a limo and stay at the nicest hotel with breakfast server to you in bed the next morning for a FRACTION of the cost of a DUI - not to mention the possibility of hurting yourself or someone else.

Bottom Line - If you want to drink - drink. You are an adult. Drink for the right reasons and realize the risks and costs of abusing it as well as implement plans for offestting the risks.

Enjoy!

 

One more thing... I am not going to get into a debate on Marijuana versus Alcohol but there were some posts that mentioned Marijuana as a "better" choice - that is a heated matter of opinion but given your statements consider the following:

1) Purchasing and possessing alcohol is legal if you are of age. Purchasing and possessing Marijuana is not (in most places) - Medical loopholes excluded.

2) I don't know of any corporate events, bars, etc. where you can just saddle up to the bar, pull out a joint or your bong and fire up so that limits the social functions - at least legal ones.

3) Again - not getting into a debate BUT smoking anything - including Marijuana - has it's own inherent health risks and potential adverse effects so there is risk as well.

4) If the choice is sitting at home with a bottle of Jack versus sitting at home smoking dope and eating Cheetos and Ho Ho's - that is a call you have to make but one is legal and one is not and they both have risk and possible adverse impact to your life.

5) Striking up a conversation at a function or bar such as "was that Single-Barrel Jack the bartender just poured you? - how does that compare with Gentlemen Jack?" or "should I get a nice Cab or Syrah with my steak?" is a lot more likely than "what rolling papers do you use?" or "where can I get a fake prescript for Glaucoma?"

Cheers

 

What an odd thread....

 

The forum is "Drink, Smoke, and Fine Dining" - Why do you find it odd? I thought the OP's post was appropriate and generated some healthy discussion.

Just curious - Cheers

 

Agreed!!!!

Just looking for advise!!!!

 

Add vice advice.... That's funny!

 

What do you do for a living? Some jobs almost suggest certain drinks. I know a few doctors who enjoy a gin and tonic. I am a lawyer, so pure ether is my binge of choice.

 

Uzy,

If you do drink alcohol, switch off between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the evening.
For example, if you are drinking gin & tonic, order a "plain tonic on ice" drink every other drink.

The other people you are with will assume you are drinking gin & tonic every time.
You will stay more hydrated this way and it will keep you from getting intoxicated as quickly.

Some more examples:
If you're drinking rum & coke, have half your drinks as plain coke.
If you're drinking wine, have a glass of ice water in between.

Good luck and post your experiences in starting to drink.

 

If you've never consumed any alcohol, start with a white sweet wine and just a single glass with dinner. Enjoy the taste and discover which wine you like. The same grape made in alternate terrior (climates) will be different and each can be fully enjoyed for their unique qualities. Stop at the one and make certain you do not drive after these first few times.

A wee bit o' advice here: Never drink to get drunk. Besides the obvious health implications, meeting new people while vomiting on the floor isn't the best way to introduce yourself to future business or social partners.

In reality, if you've made it this far without alcohol, you don't "need" it. Starting to drink because you feel you need something to alter your mood is not a good reason to start drinking.

Alcohol is indeed a drug that is easily abused so be warned.

-Marc

 

Uzy, like some others, I would advise to not start.

But if you do, and you want it to be a social thing, consider a white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonney.

Reds may take a little getting use too. Unless you want to pack on the pounds stay away from beer. Avoid spirits for sure.

Just my opinion.

 

What a coincidence. I was going to post a thread with the exact same subject matter.

 

Start with whiskeys straight up(NOT shots). Johnny Black, blue all good.

 

BTW: Alcohol will not make the problems in your life, that are making you feel sad, go away.

I'd work on the problem, not try to hide it.
Pete

 

+1



But if you do decide to try a drink I, like many here, would suggest white wine. Why drink it? Wine is actually one of the most complex tastes of any food and can add much to a meal (the complexity is dulled after several glasses, and lost after several more... so moderation is important).

Quantity is important. I rarely drink and always limit my drinking to one or two glasses of wine or a couple of beers. I have been drunk but hate it so advise you don't go there!

 

Didn't know so many Fchat members were puritans. Nothing wrong with polishing off a bottle of scotch once a week.

 

There can be if you allow it to become a problem.

And this is about Uzy possibly wanting to have an occasional drink. We're teaching a new drinker to drink modestly and enjoy it.