You've read about the Girl Who Skipped The Party Stage and the Girl Who Didn't Skip The Party Stage.

Well, when I was in 5th or 6th grade I, like many Americans, went through the D.A.R.E program. For those who don't know what D.A.R.E is, it stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. While it mostly taught me about how drugs can affect you it also taught us the dangers of alcohol. Now before you say anything, I understand I'm only 19 and that it would be obviously illegal for me to drink. But if you know anything about the world we live in, there seems to be no age limit on anything.

If I wanted to drink I would, it would be easy. It's everywhere, I mean I live in Nebraska, we know how to party. Most people assume because I don't drink that I don't go out and party. I go to more parties than I care to admit. The reason most people drink is to unwind and let loose, but I don't need alcohol to do that. I am a pretty crazy person in general and if I want to let loose, I do. You give me enough mountain dews and you are guaranteeing that I'll be dancing on the table at some point.

I see people the older they get seem to drink to forget, whether that be about work, relationships or stress in general. I'm definitely not lacking in the fact that I wish I could forget certain things, sometimes I wish I did drink to forget. The problem with that is I find enjoyment, after a while, that I can work through the pain. I don't need outside help to get over the struggle. Eventually when you drink to forget the pain, drinking will become the pain and that's another anchor it can be for people.

We all know the movies and the abusive alcoholic that can't control themselves. The ones we tell our loved ones not to become. I like to think of my life as a movie sometimes. The problem with that is this, will I die a hero or live long enough to see myself become the villain? The college 'hero' who always drinks and brings the best whiskey, can stop drinking heavy and settle down like a majority does. However, sometimes that 'hero' never stops and becomes a 'villain'. I never want to see myself become a villain, so I won't play the game.

Another very big reason as to why I don't drink; addiction. I have a very addictive personality. You can bet that I have a bag of doritos and sour patch kids in my bed with me right now and that is almost always true. Not really harmful, until my metabolism slows down. Alcohol and drugs on the other hand seem to be very addictive. I'm not going to put myself in the position to not be successful.

I am not going to try and stop you from drinking, I'm not in a position to make that decision. If it is ruining the life of someone I care about, I will try and show them what it's doing. Luckily I have only had to do that once. I don't think it's a bad thing for other people to drink, you can be successful and drink a beer. It's my own thought process on why I don't. Will I drink when I turn 21? The honest answer is I don't know. I have big plans for myself. The next time I'm at a party and meet someone new and they ask me why I don't drink, I'll just show them this article and they will know why.