Why do people drink alcohol?

[Tannhauser]

When you walk through the streets at 1 AM on a Friday night, looking at all the drunk people while not being drunk yourself – wow, that stuff looks beyond stupid. Not just stupid, but vile and repulsive.

Sure, I have done a lot of it myself in the past. But I have to say, I never really understood it. The only result is: you say a bunch of nonsense, and the next day you have a headache.

The question remains: why do people drink alcohol. Aren't their minds clouded enough as it is?

 

[Archer]

Bro, bro... with a username that German you can't denounce drinking.

In Heaven there is no beer
That's why we drink it here
And when we're all gone from here
Our friends will be drinking all the beer.

In Heaven there is no wine
So we drink till we feel fine
And when we leave this all behind
Our friends will be drinking all the wine.

In Heaven there is no fear
So we worry too much here
And we drink ourselves full of beer
To help us when we deal with the fear.

In Heaven there are no drugs
That's why we hang with thugs
And when the Lord pulls the plug
All the thugs will still be selling drugs, yeah.

Thugs and drugs
Beer...

In Heaven there is no sex
So let's do that next
And when our muscles no longer flex
Someone else will be having sex.

In Heaven there are no wars
Or cars, or movie stars
And when we no longer are
The world will probably still be having wars.

What the heck! Yeah!

Sex and war,
Bars and cars.
Drugs, thugs,
And delicious food.

 

[Absurdity]

Social crutch, the need for which intensifies in the presence of large clamorous groups, especially when the possibility of getting laid is meaningfully > 0

I drank mostly when I was with people I would not normally be comfortable with or have much to say to. Meatheads, stoners, bros, sorority girls, etc. The alcohol wasn't exactly the problem in that case, it was trying to be someone I was not.

However I think I also generally have an issue with drinking too much even when it's just me and a few friends. That's more of a genetic/psychological thing though and only really relates to me or others with a family history of alcoholism.

My girlfriend doesn't drink at all, which has drastically decreased the number of drinks I consume per week from like 7+ (primarily on the weekends) to 1 or less. Obviously not having hangovers is great, but I also just generally feel sharper and in a better mood.

Although apparently my gf wants to split a bottle of wine with me some night in the near future, but that should be a good time.

 

[Reluctantly]

I drink to dull my senses, to feel like I'm melting into the world. More a method to relax, while still doing the things that I enjoy. I suppose that's a bit different from drinking in a bar and stumbling along the streets only to forget everything that happened by the next morning. I honestly have no idea why anyone would want to have their faculties diminished to such a retarded extent. I don't know man. I find it a little strange, but then again your average person (well...american person from what I've seen) doesn't think much before they act...or as some might say "isn't very intelligent".

 

[Sly-fy]

I drink because I like achieving the end result that is intoxication. I used to be reluctant to drink until I was about 22, and had hardly had a drink up until around that age, but once I got into it I really got to enjoy it. It also helps me in social situations, but I`ll have a few even by myself (have developed quite a tolerance for it, and have even gotten myself arrested for public intoxication at a party, something I`m not particularly proud of but it happens to the best of us.) It`s pretty much the only way that I can relax and enjoy in situations that involve being around many people.

 

[cheese]

When you walk through the streets at 1 AM on a Friday night, looking at all the drunk people while not being drunk yourself – wow, that stuff looks beyond stupid. Not just stupid, but vile and repulsive.

Sure, I have done a lot of it myself in the past. But I have to say, I never really understood it. The only result is: you say a bunch of nonsense, and the next day you have a headache.

The question remains: why do people drink alcohol. Aren't their minds clouded enough as it is?

Agreed. It's a very strange sight, setting masses of people willingly throwing away money to destroy their bodies, while metres away lie homeless people who can't even afford a roof over their head.

I drink because I have twin compulsive and impulsive streaks, but I've cut down heavily over the years. I don't like being drunk and never have. Sometimes it can be useful to loosen up a little though, and I also enjoy the taste and drinking things in general, so that's where I head into problems.

I think most people drink because they feel the need to unwind from the stress of their lives and feast on the energy of others. And creating that energy is much easier when everyone is high on something. I think a lot of people drink because they want to connect with others but feel incapable of doing so as their day-to-day selves, because that's how far removed we've let our lives become from our true desires. So instead we opt to lose ourselves in others and turn our minds off, give our control over to the herd. Casual drinking is fine imo, but if almost all your contact with friends is a weekend puke-fest and you're not a kid, then there's probably something wrong.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

It's fun.

Give me an hour or two and I'll be able to explain it a bit better.

 

[Hadoblado]

Lowers inhibitions and leads to adventure.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Lowers inhibitions and leads to adventure.

But it's more fun to hazo blazo.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

being drunk is an impediment to skills of observation and and understanding

therefore given the vile and rotten nature of humankind, it is in fact rather surprising that some people seem to prefer sobriety. perhaps they are masochists

 

[PaulMaster]

Being drunk is bad for you, but also fun. I dont drink, but I get drunk now and then. Maybe a few times a year or so.

There are better intoxicants out there. I'd much rather smoke weed, myself.

I bet its like most things people do or dont do...with little or no thought. Monkey see monkey do. Then later they get hooked and do it because their body tells them they have to.

Civil war guys had a good reason to drink - getting legs cut off and whatnot...

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

It helps with social anxiety.

 

[EditorOne]

Reasons vary. INTPs tend to drink 1. to lessen social anxiety, as noted, because it tends to lower inhibitions; 2. out of boredom. The second is very dangerous if you're one of the INTPs who is easily bored.

 

[Architect]

My parents generation were bigger socializers than later generations, they also were bigger drinkers. Beer and wine every night for them. They/d have good ole' times with their friends and relatives, all lubricated with plenty of liquor. People now (I seem to see) socialize more sedately, it's less of a boisterous big deal. We also have better entertainment (TV and media) so less need to create it using drugs.

I had a bad time with some hard liquor when I turned 18, never touched it since. Just the occasional beer for years, then completely dropped it. Lately I tried a non alcoholic beer at the end of the day, the imports are quite good. I used to enjoy a brew at the end of a working day when I was in Germany and Japan. Anyhow I dropped that too, not really worth the money.

To answer your question; in addition to anxiety it also makes people seem funnier than they are.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Reasons vary. INTPs tend to drink 1. to lessen social anxiety, as noted, because it tends to lower inhibitions; 2. out of boredom. The second is very dangerous if you're one of the INTPs who is easily bored.

I'm not an INTP, but I am easily boreded.

Why do you say it is dangerous?

 

[Brontosaurie]

I'm not an INTP, but I am easily boreded.

Why do you say it is dangerous?

Which type do you identify as?

 

[EditorOne]

If you are easily bored, you drink more. That's all. It gets to be a bad habit, one that might not reach chemical dependency but which is tough to shake, especially if you drink to excess when you do drink. I had this problem, compounded of boredom plus the fact that when drinking I could handle the people I otherwise could not escape. Bad combination. I no longer touch the stuff, it is not addictive literally for me, but it is irresistibly attractive when the first alcohol bomb goes off in my chest and spreads to my brain. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Minuend]

I drink because I feel more positive feels when I do. Things are somewhat more funny, I experience somewhat more happy feels. When I drink I experience positive feelings that I never feel otherwise. In my normal day life I'm more flat in my emotions. People are more boring, socializing is not as interesting.

Especially some months ago when I was more emotionally dead than now, the emotional "benefit" was more noticeable. When I wasn't drunk I wouldn't find anything funny and I'd be very low on social energy.

 

[Happy]

I drink occasionally, and rarely get drunk. I worked in cellars, bars, etc for too long to find alcoholism at all appealing, but I have developed a taste for craft beers, fine wine and good spirits.

I have no interest in the feeling of intoxication. I drink for taste and stop when I feel intoxicated. Unless of course the drink is particularly special (like a 30 year old red wine or something), then we drink til it's gone.

I've made too much of an ass of myself on too many occasions to not learn the lesson. I don't need alcohol to talk to people. I don't need alcohol to pick up women. I don't need alcohol to feel good or unwind. I don't need it for anything other than to appreciate a well crafted item, which is best enjoyed with friends in celebration.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Which type do you identify as?

Hmm... I wanna see what other people assess me as before I bias the result too much.

If you are easily bored, you drink more. That's all. It gets to be a bad habit, one that might not reach chemical dependency but which is tough to shake, especially if you drink to excess when you do drink. I had this problem, compounded of boredom plus the fact that when drinking I could handle the people I otherwise could not escape. Bad combination. I no longer touch the stuff, it is not addictive literally for me, but it is irresistibly attractive when the first alcohol bomb goes off in my chest and spreads to my brain. Your mileage may vary.

Well, I don't drink to excess except on the fairly rare occassion where I drink socially.

I drink most nights on my own, but a fairly moderate amount. Certainly it's a bad habit, and I have a fair amount of self control but also an addictive personality. Like, I know smokers who smoke way more than I do, but I still smoke despite a desire to quit (I am having respiratory problems, so it's really important that I quit, but I can't really bring myself to care enough to stop).

Drinking though... so far the negatives seem to be a lighter wallet and reduced quality of sleep. I am sure there must be other things too, like it is no doubt contributing to this fucking wicked depression.

 

[Brontosaurie]

Hmm... I wanna see what other people assess me as before I bias the result too much.

I get an ENTP impression and that's how i'd type you, but i also get a slight hunch that you might consider yourself INFJ.

ISTP is third on the list, for some weird reason.

 

[Lot]

Drinking is fun. It makes me feel warm and helps me shut my mind off a bit. Getting intoxicated is something humans did before they were even humans yet. It's a wonderful tradition, and it helps to deal with the stress of life. Relaxing your body relaxes your mind. It has lasting effects for days.

Yes, it impairs you, but it doesn't impair you as much as people let it. The debauchery is avoidable. People just use it as an excuse for their fucked up behavior. Young people especially. Doing it every day will fuck your brain and probably your liver. Cannabis is much better for you, but a lot of people don't seem to be able to do it responsibly. I find more people drink responsibly than people smoke responsibly. I personally drink now instead of smoke, because I couldn't use weed responsibly, and it was making me delusional. Alcohol doesn't make me delusional and I know when to quit. Hangovers are natural encouragement to not drink too much for me.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

I get an ENTP impression and that's how i'd type you, but i also get a slight hunch that you might consider yourself INFJ.

ISTP is third on the list, for some weird reason.

Ok, so you certainly think I am a Ti/Fe user at least.

According to the usual stereotypes I am not extroverted, but some better interpretations suggest that I might be.

ENTP and ISTP are actually very similar types, more similar than ENTP and INTP, according to the study by Dario Nardi.

See, in his study there were 4 main kinds of Ti use, and ENTP and ISTP shared 2 of them as stronger than the other 2, INTP and ESTP had the other two... look it up.

From memory it was (using vague terms)...
- gambling odds (ENTP)
- environment navigation (ISTP)
- categorising (INTP)
- linear logic (ESTP)

 

[Rualani]

Lowers inhibitions and leads to adventure.

I just spend my evening in some crazy dancing circle with a bunch of older ladies in a state of flow and I gotta say it would a blast. Not sure I would have embarked on this adventure while sober. In the end, it wasn't that big of a deal.

 

[Redfire]

In my case:
1- Easier to talk to people. Even stupid people. When I'm sober I usually get irritated/bored and want to go home.
2- Liquid courage. Useful with women.
3- I like beer.

 

[Solitaire U.]

Need to socialize, something to fill the empty. Entertainment. Kind of lame hanging around and NOT drinking, I think it's a hobby for a lot of people.

I hate alcohol. Hate the smell of it, can't stand the taste. Hate the stench of my body when alcohol is in it. Hate drinking with people. Hate drunkenness. I booze up on hate instead.

 

[Tannhauser]

I don't know what it is exactly, but when I am hanging out with people and we take a beer or whatever, and a little while later you start seeing that glazed-over, hazed, droopy look in their eyes – I get a little bit sad. There is something pathetic about it.

 

[Sinny91]

I was thinking about outlining the reasons why people drink...
but on behalf of the Irish.. I think thats a silly question, and all answers are obvious.

 

[Grayman]

I don't know what it is exactly, but when I am hanging out with people and we take a beer or whatever, and a little while later you start seeing that glazed-over, hazed, droopy look in their eyes – I get a little bit sad. There is something pathetic about it.

You neglect the importance of life beyond the intellectual.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I'd like a drink right now...

Ok, so you certainly think I am a Ti/Fe user at least.

According to the usual stereotypes I am not extroverted, but some better interpretations suggest that I might be.

ENTP and ISTP are actually very similar types, more similar than ENTP and INTP, according to the study by Dario Nardi.

See, in his study there were 4 main kinds of Ti use, and ENTP and ISTP shared 2 of them as stronger than the other 2, INTP and ESTP had the other two... look it up.

From memory it was (using vague terms)...
- gambling odds (ENTP)
- environment navigation (ISTP)
- categorising (INTP)
- linear logic (ESTP)

Are you waiting for further external assessments before you reveal what type you identify as?

 

[Silent Sage]

1. To escape
2. To celebrate

The former is usually used in a literary context, the latter a social one.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

I'd like a drink right now...



Are you waiting for further external assessments before you reveal what type you identify as?

Oh, I don't actually know my type. I just go by what other people say.

I'll be INFP today. Unless you have a better suggestion?

 

[Semantics]

I too think there's something sad about how, come friday, everyone just wants to get debauched. Maybe more sad is the reason for this prevalent mindset. Indulging in alcohol, or anything, to the extent of having little/no control over your faculties screams escapism to me. And what's everyone escaping from? Their shitty lives, of course.

It's sad how instead of trying to improve their obviously miserable lives, people drink themselves into oblivion every weekend and then on Monday they're already looking forward to the next weekend so they can repeat this process of forgetting.

 

[Archer]

I too think there's something sad about how, come friday, everyone just wants to get debauched. Maybe more sad is the reason for this prevalent mindset. Indulging in alcohol, or anything, to the extent of having little/no control over your faculties screams escapism to me. And what's everyone escaping from? Their shitty lives, of course.

It's sad how instead of trying to improve their obviously miserable lives, people drink themselves into oblivion every weekend and then on Monday they're already looking forward to the next weekend so they can repeat this process of forgetting.

You sound like an incredibly fun person to be around.

 

[Brontosaurie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjStc-t3MV0

 

[Semantics]

You sound like an incredibly fun person to be around.

Mmm, that came across a lot more harshly than anticipated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Happy]

I too think there's something sad about how, come friday, everyone just wants to get debauched. Maybe more sad is the reason for this prevalent mindset. Indulging in alcohol, or anything, to the extent of having little/no control over your faculties screams escapism to me. And what's everyone escaping from? Their shitty lives, of course.

It's sad how instead of trying to improve their obviously miserable lives, people drink themselves into oblivion every weekend and then on Monday they're already looking forward to the next weekend so they can repeat this process of forgetting.

You sound like an incredibly fun person to be around.

Mmm, that came across a lot more harshly than anticipated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with Semantics. Weekend alcoholics are escapists.

Weekend alcohol bingeing is no way to live and it's no way to have fun. It's self destructive, only masked with the illusion of fun.

Nothing wrong with the occasional binge, but every week eventually just becomes pathetic.

Sure, alcohol induced activities can be fun, but most of the activities that are actually fun don't involve alcohol.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Every day is saturday!!!!!!!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[Starfishtea]

Well I can only really speak from my own expereince(as a bordering alcoholic since age 16), obviously escapism is a really big part of it. However it isn't always about how shitty your life is. As an introvert I find that alcohol really helps me get that extra zest I need to not just be sitting in a corner diddling with my phone, which is aboout the only positice aspect of drinking. When I started drinking at 15, there was also a great deal of pressure to be cool and fit into a group. The first few times I noticed it was getting excessive for me is when I had shots before school on a day I was having an oral exam to overcome my anxiety of speaking in front of well, anyone really. As a socially crippled and emotionally retarded person I found alcohol to be the perfect companion. An advice; drink every day and you won't have to deal with the headaches or embarassment of your actions because you will be wasted 24/7. You won't even notice that you're totally wrecking your life in the process of grasping at something you think might be happiness. I am not bitter at acohol at all. Jokes aside, I also think a lot of it depends on where you live. What kind of environment you're in and how the drinking culture is where you are. Even though aclohol is a depressant and excessive use can lead to depression and anxiety problems, I think it's important to not forget that not every weekend drinker leads a miserable life. Honestly that statement irked me.

 

[Archer]

I agree with Semantics. Weekend alcoholics are escapists.

Weekend alcohol bingeing is no way to live and it's no way to have fun. It's self destructive, only masked with the illusion of fun.

Nothing wrong with the occasional binge, but every week eventually just becomes pathetic.

Sure, alcohol induced activities can be fun, but most of the activities that are actually fun don't involve alcohol.

I agree when you put it like that, however I think it's perfectly acceptable to get sloshed with friends once or twice a month. Saying people get drunk with their friends because they have a miserable life is pretty harsh.

 

[Happy]

I like I think it's fine until hangovers don't carry a valuable lesson. If you're accustomed to having hangovers, it's time to reevaluate your life.

 

[Archer]

I like I think it's fine until hangovers don't carry a valuable lesson. If you're accustomed to having hangovers, it's time to reevaluate your life.

Ehh. Hangovers can be avoided by drinking water with alcohol and avoiding alcohol that has a large amount of congeners. If I'm drinking shitty tequila I'm going to have a hangover, if I'm drinking anhydrous usp grade ethanol from decon labs, not so much .

 

[Nofriends]

When you walk through the streets at 1 AM on a Friday night, looking at all the drunk people while not being drunk yourself – wow, that stuff looks beyond stupid. Not just stupid, but vile and repulsive.

Sure, I have done a lot of it myself in the past. But I have to say, I never really understood it. The only result is: you say a bunch of nonsense, and the next day you have a headache.

The question remains: why do people drink alcohol. Aren't their minds clouded enough as it is?

they usually have an iq of 65 and are extremely uneducated which leads to their indulgence

 

[HDINTP]

Well when I drank. More chapters actually. When I had what I now call "bad part" of my life I jusst did not really care much about anything and wanted to die. Had problems with alcohol. Second part and reason why I did drink when I no more had a problem was this: I notice to be completely different person when I drink (1-2 drinks) is enough where I can "force myself" to act that different way. And I am extroverted, confident (or actually the only difference is that I externalize it). I am able to pick up women well in this state. Motor skill improves greatly (up to 3 drinks only). Have much more energy. I get very decisive. Just do even "Harder way" whatever I want and do not care *at all what others think of it/do about it. Whatever I really want I just go on as an "immovable object" I would call it... Also I find myself to enjoy sensual activities really. At times I get into an awesome state where I feel/seem quite ISTPish. Sort of more as my own father (Discussed here on forum a while back). Handle social situations much better of course...

 

[Tannhauser]

Well when I drank. More chapters actually. When I had what I now call "bad part" of my life I jusst did not really care much about anything and wanted to die. Had problems with alcohol. Second part and reason why I did drink when I no more had a problem was this: I notice to be completely different person when I drink (1-2 drinks) is enough where I can "force myself" to act that different way. And I am extroverted, confident (or actually the only difference is that I externalize it). I am able to pick up women well in this state. Motor skill improves greatly (up to 3 drinks only). Have much more energy. I get very decisive. Just do even "Harder way" whatever I want and do not care *at all what others think of it/do about it. Whatever I really want I just go on as an "immovable object" I would call it... Also I find myself to enjoy sensual activities really. At times I get into an awesome state where I feel/seem quite ISTPish. Sort of more as my own father (Discussed here on forum a while back). Handle social situations much better of course...

That's weird. I just get sleepy after 1-2 drinks. After that, I just notice the gradual deterioration of mental sharpness, and how shitty and dull all conversations get. However, there is a spot between 8-15 drinks there where there is some element of euphoria. I suppose it is because at that point you forget how idiotic you actually behave.

 

[HDINTP]

That's weird. I just get sleepy after 1-2 drinks. After that, I just notice the gradual deterioration of mental sharpness, and how shitty and dull all conversations get. However, there is a spot between 8-15 drinks there where there is some element of euphoria. I suppose it is because at that point you forget how idiotic you actually behave.

Hmm I did not specify. Depends how strong for example beer you drink. As for 15 drinks. Last time I did that ended up falling in water... I do not really like to drink much... I am not really sure at what point I find conversations dull but definitely not after 2

 

[QuickTwist]

TL;DR

Somehow I think this topic is nowhere close to as controversial as the vegan thread. Don't make any damn sense, but there it is.

 

[deathvirtuoso]

I honestly think there's no definite answer. It's subjective. Not everyone will drink for the same reason(s). I usually drink out of curiosity. "How does this particular brand taste like?" "How many cans of xx brand does it take to make me drunk?" Though I must say I've yet to try the latter. I'm still underage, but my dad fed me beer when I was 6. I've tried a few brands here and there.

 

[redbaron]

It's marketed as something people should drink, so people drink it.

 

[HDINTP]

It's marketed as something people should drink, so people drink it.

Huh? Maybe do but if it did not have it's effects I probably would not drink it