What's the very first thing 99 percent of humans do when they walk into a bar? Get a drink. In today's society, to be caught without a drink in hand is equivalent to committing social suicide.
Let's be honest, most probably enjoy a drink or two at home before heading out for a night on the town. They may have even flask'd it on the way there if they're super hardcore. Despite this, it is so essential to go straight to the bar for more drinks. It's in our human nature to want more, but when does more become too much? Why does it seem like the ultimate nightly goal these days is to pass out, get sick, and not remember a thing?
Being this young, it’s so easy to get carried away by the sea of temptation. All social activities and gatherings being revolved solely around alcohol makes it kind of hard to avoid it. I personally find it pointless to recite all the facts and statistics of binge drinking because we’ve all heard them a thousand times. Just be careful not to teeter over the edge- you just might fall overboard.
There is a time for everything. I totally get lounging on the back deck while guzzling down an ice cold bottle on a scorching hot summer day. I get having one too many on the eve of a 21st birthday. I even get meeting up with old friends and chatting over a drink or two occasionally. But when occasionally turns into multiple times per week, then shifts to every single night, and finally not even being able to have fun without alcohol in your system, that's when you know it's heading downhill.
Nine times out of ten I would much rather be at a baseball game, skiing, zip lining, or doing anything remotely active. This is the time in our lives where exploration and adventure should be first on our "to-do" list way ahead of going to the bar and getting absolutely stupid. Our bodies are only going to be this mobile and capable for so much longer, so why don't we use them to their highest potential versus gradually tearing them down? Instead of drinking non-stop for 12 hours at a time, do something you rarely get to do anymore. Rent a kayak at the nearest lake, cook a meal for your housemates, take a painting class. Whatever it is, I’ll bet it’s a much better use of your time. Don’t get swallowed by society’s conspicuous waves.
Plus, maybe it's just me, but a beer belly at age 20 does not exactly fit the criteria when searching for a partner. Fitness, eating right, and self-control.. Now that's attractive.
You can choose to view alcohol as a drug or view it as a privilege. But the moment you feel like you need to get plastered to have a good time is the moment you’ve fallen overboard.
