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I Asked 20 People How They Cut Back On Alcohol While Being Social — Their Answers Inspired Me

Whoever said you need to drink in order to have fun is seriously disturbed.

Sophia Ann Marren

Aug 05, 2020

Missouri State University

36711

I Asked 20 People How They Cut Back On Alcohol While Being Social — Their Answers Inspired Me

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I remember the days where closet drinking before going to a party or bar was part of the night's itinerary. It was a requirement to have a good buzz flowing before calling the Uber to take you to that bar where you see everyone from your high school at. The pregames were the best part of the night, but it wasn't ever because of the alcohol, it was because of the atmosphere and those who were in it. The number of times I've heard "Wait, why aren't you drinking tonight? C'mon, get drunk with us" is endless, but think about it. Where were you when you were asked that? You were at the goddamn pregame and being there doesn't mean you need to be ripping shots. Being social doesn't require alcohol.

I asked 20 people how they cut back on alcohol while still being social.

1. "Taking half shots and sticking to low calorie drinks! Pacing yourself."

- Diana

2. "Inviting friends to do things other than drinking! Or just ordering drinks that are non-alcoholic or low in alcohol content. I'd rather slow slip a White Claw than rip a few shots."

- Leora

3. "I just put water in my cup!"

- Julia

4. "Drinking regular seltzer or drinking a really fruity mocktail."

- Shwe

5. "Drink water or juice instead of alcohol!"

- Kate

6. "I'll pregame with a few shots really fast and then be good to go for the night."

- Meg

7. "Picking which social events to drink at, skipping drinks at dinner, and waiting until you get to the party."

- Mary

8. "Order a mixed drink that takes awhile to finish instead of doing shots also because I don't want to yak."

- Sabrina

9. "I'll make a really watery or juice-diluted mixed drink."

- Kyle

10. "Smoke that good good instead."

- Morgan

11. "Drink slow with a straw or for games, like flip cup, carry one drink and fill it slowly so you can still be involved."

- Lucia

12. "I'll just bring a certain amount of cash out and leave my debit card at home, that way when I'm at a bar, I'll only bring enough for 1-3 drinks and then be done for the night."

- Bryan

13. "Switching up drinks that I would usually have to drink a lot of in order to feel tipsy."

- Ashley

14. "By realizing you don't need alcohol to socialize."

- Dana

15. "Drinking an energy drink while you're sipping on a mixed drink, no one will notice."

- Megan

16. "Vodka sodas, then next I'll just get a soda, then another vodka soda. Just to hold something."

- Riley

17. "I'll stick to a drink like a White Claw or a Truly because those take so long to drink because of all the carbonation."

- Taylor

18. "I just don't drink when if I don't want too. Don't feel pressured because you're in a social setting."

- Bobby

19. "I'll make sure I eat a big dinner because usually then I get too full to where I barely want to drink a lot."

- Max

20. "I try to Google different kinds of low-calorie drinks to make that are strong — if they're too strong then it will take me forever to finish."

- Alex

At the end of the day, or should I say at the end of the night, is alcohol really a requirement in order to be social? If you like to get that good buzz flowing than more power to you, but don't feel like you need to. I for one will be dancing on the dancefloor with a sugar-free Redbull in my hand.

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I Asked 20 People How They Cut Back On Alcohol While Being Social — Their Answers Inspired Me​

Whoever said you need to drink in order to have fun is seriously disturbed.

1. "Taking half shots and sticking to low calorie drinks! Pacing yourself."

2. "Inviting friends to do things other than drinking! Or just ordering drinks that are non-alcoholic or low in alcohol content. I'd rather slow slip a White Claw than rip a few shots."

3. "I just put water in my cup!"

4. "Drinking regular seltzer or drinking a really fruity mocktail."

5. "Drink water or juice instead of alcohol!"

6. "I'll pregame with a few shots really fast and then be good to go for the night."

7. "Picking which social events to drink at, skipping drinks at dinner, and waiting until you get to the party."

8. "Order a mixed drink that takes awhile to finish instead of doing shots also because I don't want to yak."

9. "I'll make a really watery or juice-diluted mixed drink."

10. "Smoke that good good instead."

11. "Drink slow with a straw or for games, like flip cup, carry one drink and fill it slowly so you can still be involved."

12. "I'll just bring a certain amount of cash out and leave my debit card at home, that way when I'm at a bar, I'll only bring enough for 1-3 drinks and then be done for the night."

13. "Switching up drinks that I would usually have to drink a lot of in order to feel tipsy."

14. "By realizing you don't need alcohol to socialize."

15. "Drinking an energy drink while you're sipping on a mixed drink, no one will notice."

16. "Vodka sodas, then next I'll just get a soda, then another vodka soda. Just to hold something."

17. "I'll stick to a drink like a White Claw or a Truly because those take so long to drink because of all the carbonation."

18. "I just don't drink when if I don't want too. Don't feel pressured because you're in a social setting."

19. "I'll make sure I eat a big dinner because usually then I get too full to where I barely want to drink a lot."

20. "I try to Google different kinds of low-calorie drinks to make that are strong — if they're too strong then it will take me forever to finish."

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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I Asked 20 People How They Cut Back On Alcohol While Being Social — Their Answers Inspired Me

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