In a few days I turn 21. And I have no plans to drink.

Instead I am going to spend my day surrounded by family, playing Candy Land. It’s going to be awesome. And it is going to be sober.

Drinking actually freaks me out. I don’t like the idea of having a ‘buzz’ or being ‘drunk’.

I hate the idea of having no control over what I do. Plus the drunk texts, the puking, and the fact that it could all go terribly wrong.

But I have one more question, tossed around in my head, “what if I enjoy it?’

Alcoholism is dangerous, scary and it’s real.

Am I being too cautious? Probably. But this is where I am comfortable. I don’t need to drink.

“Just try one.”

“It’s your last big birthday.”

“Let me take you out, I know the perfect drink.”

“Everyone has one night”

I have heard every one of those quotes multiple times. Some from friends, while others are from random people. And I just say, “no thank you. I’m not going to drink.” I usually get a few stares, and questions as to why. I usually just simply say, “it’s not for me.”

Alcoholism runs in my family. So, why should I test it? I have seen it destroy lives and make it difficult to go day to day. I have seen someone begin drinking at two o’ clock in the afternoon and not finish until 2 am. I’ve seen a perfectly nice person turn in to someone I wish I never met.

I don’t want that to be me.

I don’t want to look back on my life and see the same mistakes I watched growing up being made by me. I know better than that. So, instead of taking the risk. I am going to stop while I am ahead. I am going to make the decision to not take a drink for my 21^st.

I am turning 21 and I don’t want a big party, or a big moment. I want to celebrate the fact that I’m another year older and that’s awesome.

I would rather spend my twenty first with family, than have a night that I may have forgotten.

Do I think that people shouldn’t party? No. Have fun. But don’t try to get me to join you. I don’t happen to be interested.

My question to you is if you know what causes a deadly disease, would you indulge in it anyway?

I have seen alcohol’s effect. I know what it can do and how the first sip can catch you off guard.

I saw alcohol control someone’s life. I hate the way it consumed their life, and was their main focus. I hate the way it made their priorities crumble. I also hate the way I couldn’t ask them to stop.

Why would I ever do that to someone else?

So, I won’t be drinking on my 21^st. I have made the decision to take control of my life instead, and live it up by killing my family at Candy Land, and a Nerf Gun War.