# What is your relationship to alcohol? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692 "2018-02-12T16:19:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/141 "2018-02-15T18:39:22Z")
Probably a 5.5. I enjoy drinking, I enjoy the ritual of making that first cocktail, the bracing coldness of it, the iciness of the vodka on my tongue, and the slowly growing buzz. I don’t drink because I have to, I drink because everything about it is so pleasurable. Monday through Thursday I avoid it and rarely think about it (unless I’m on vacation), but Friday through Sunday I end my days with a few drinks. I’ve gone cold turkey for a month or two several times with no difficulty, for Lent or if I’m training for some athletic event, but otherwise I’d say alcohol and I have a very close personal relationship. ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/142 "2018-02-15T23:42:43Z")
I’m between a 5 and 6. I probably have a beer or glass of wine with dinner 4-5 times a week, but not very often more than one. An occasional (once every week or two) glass of bourbon. Maybe once a month I’ll get a good buzz on, but I only really get shit-faced on Christmas Eve anymore (Bad Santa & bourbon on Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday tradition). If alcohol ceased to exist, I would be very sad, but I’d survive. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/143 "2018-02-16T00:03:41Z")
He’s my grandfather. 3.5 Occasionally drinks but rarely ever socially. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/144 "2018-02-16T01:53:27Z")
1. If I have any alcohol in my house, it accidentally found its way into my possession, and might eventually get consumed or used for cooking. When traveling, often a beer with the main meal of the day, mainly just to try the local beers. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/145 "2018-02-16T04:25:12Z")
> [@JustBree](#): > > I’m not any of those. I guess I’d be in between a 2 and a 3? > > I’ll be honest: I’m afraid of alcohol. Partly this is because I have an anxiety disorder and I’m afraid of virtually everything to some degree. A magical elixir that causes me to lose my inhibitions? I can’t decide if that sounds too good to be true, or nightmarish. I could use a drink to loosen me up, but if I did something I regretted once I was sober… I’d probably never drink again. > > The other reason is that I’m bad at moderation. I’m bad at self-discipline. I had an alcoholic uncle and he wasn’t that bad of a guy, but I’m terrified of becoming that person… I don’t want to open the Pandora’s boxed wine for fear of what might lurk inside it. When you’re as tightly wound as I am, there’s a certain allure to… self-medicating. Speaking of meds, I probably shouldn’t be drinking booze anyway because of the drug cocktail I’m on already. > > I think I’ve had alcohol maybe two or three times. I bought a case of hard cider on my 21st birthday. It was the worst-tasting thing I’ve ever willingly put in my mouth. Then I tried a glass of wine at a family Christmas gathering… I almost spat it back out. > > I’m told alcohol can be an ‘acquired taste.’ If so, I think I’m happier not acquiring it. 😉 I’m a heavy drinker. Speaking as one, it’s okay to be afraid of alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/146 "2018-02-16T04:42:23Z")
There is a deep black hole inside of me. The only thing that can cover over it is complete sobriety. After just one drink I _have_ to fill that hole with vodka. I love alcohol. But I’m an alcoholic so if I drink, I drink to blacking out. Therefore I don’t drink at all. 2 1/2 years sober. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/147 "2018-02-16T04:47:20Z")
I spent some time as a 7/8 but these days I’m a big old 3. I just tell people, we’re divorced but we still fuck once in a while.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/148 "2018-02-16T16:38:28Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > I just tell people, we’re divorced but we still fuck once in a while.🆒 :eek: Beer may cool the jewels dear, but liquor burns the dicker. As to the OP, put me in the middle range somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/149 "2018-02-16T22:49:19Z")
If there were a clinic where a person could go once a week & try a new recreational drug - DMT, PCP, Ketamine, Pot, LSD-25, LSD-6, MDMA, cocaine, Demerol, whatever you could possibly imagine - I would go every week until I had done them all. But, I’d never use alcohol or tobacco. They are far, far too dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/150 "2018-02-17T00:49:57Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > This is absurd to me. It strikes me as much more putting alcohol on a pedestal to claim that something is wrong with those who will not drink it. Would we assume that about any other drugs, or just alcohol? I specifically differentiated between people who shun or are afraid of it as having and unhealthy relationship, whereas those who have a take-it-or-leave-it as having a healthy relationship. I’m not suggesting anyone should drink alcohol, I’m suggesting that a strong emotional reaction is unhealthy. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/151 "2018-02-17T01:20:30Z")
I guess I’m somewhere between a 5 and 6 as I drink pretty heavily on nights that I don’t have to work the next day. I’ll stay up to the wee hours of the morning drinking cheap beer and woodworking, probably drinking around 12 or so beers total, and I love it. It probably doesn’t sound like the best combination but I find myself being _more_ careful around power tools and blades when I’m drinking. I look forward to this throughout the week, so if beer suddenly disappeared from this planet I’d be pretty disappointed but I think I’d get over it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/152 "2018-02-17T01:29:59Z")
I’m around a 4 or 5. I like beer, specifically I found some beers I really like. My drinking got a little high last year, I was averaging a case a week but I’m back down to about 10 beers a week now. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant and much of it is quite tasty. Also the correct wine or beer can really enhance a meal. Beer is after all why humans civilized. ---
**Author:** ![palmer7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@palmer7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palmer7)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/153 "2018-02-17T01:45:44Z")
Don’t drink it. Never have, never will. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/154 "2018-02-17T03:14:49Z")
I am a definite #5 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/155 "2018-02-17T03:28:22Z")
A 3 or so? I don’t drink much - perhaps one drink a month - because I don’t get much out of it, or apparently not the same out of it that people who drink a lot more often do. It either makes me sleepy (so I _do_ occasionally add some to cocoa if I can’t sleep) or flat-out dizzy. I think I’ve been drunk maybe twice in my life. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/156 "2018-02-17T14:20:22Z")
In the last year, I’ve increasingly had periods where I’ll skip booze for several days during the week so that I can feel more mentally ‘with it’ in the mornings. But I’ll often make up for it on the weekends. It’s not like I don’t have self-control - I don’t drink and drive. I can wait until I get home from a friend’s house before cracking one open. I can have a beer and decide not to have another one. My thing is, drinking on some days is just something I do to pass time, as pathetic as it sounds. It’s sometimes like a hobby. I drink and watch sports. I drink and listen to music. I drink and watch TV with the missus. And before I know it, I’m a few beers into a bender. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/157 "2018-02-17T20:44:35Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I specifically differentiated between people who shun or are afraid of it as having and unhealthy relationship, whereas those who have a take-it-or-leave-it as having a healthy relationship. I’m not suggesting anyone should drink alcohol, I’m suggesting that a strong emotional reaction is unhealthy. What are you defining as “shunning”? If someone says “I don’t drink and I won’t drink,” that is “shunning” to me. And there’s nothing “unhealthy” about that. We’d consider it perfectly pedestrian about other recreational drugs. I don’t smoke and I won’t smoke. Did I just shun cigarettes “unhealthily”? Do you have to be willing to drink even if you don’t drink in order to be “healthy”? ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/158 "2018-02-18T00:47:28Z")
Mostly 3. A six-pack of Strongbow Honey will last us 2-3 weeks at our home. Our social gatherings are with Christians, so alcohol isn’t on the menu most of the time. When I’m with family, a few drinks is fine because I am staying over at someone’s house-- we don’t live near anyone we would share drinks with. We spent time with family for all of 2 weekends in 12 years. Thankfully, no one in the family drinks to excess, so I don’t have to hang around with drunken people. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/159 "2018-02-18T01:42:52Z")
I was probably a 6 for years but its edged down to a 3 as I got older. My partner has a drinking problem, (likes to drink to excess several times a week but maybe only stupid drunk twice a month) and my ex husband is also an alcoholic. Most of my mom’s family are either alcoholics or married them so there is a pattern I’m repeating here. (My dad was an extremely light social driner but medication means he doesn’t drink more than maybe twice a year. My mother stopped having an occasional glass of wine in the late 80s after picking her nearly-dead sister off the floor.) Mid December I got pissed off at some stupidity surrounding drinking and I have basically quit. More specifically I quit buying or paying for alcohol. I had a glass of wine on Christmas Eve and a glass of Prosecco on new years. I don’t care if I ever drink again. I like the taste of some drinks but there are a lot of things I like. Also when I do buy things for my self like a higher end vodka, or Grand Marnier to go in tea it will eventually be consumed by my partner when he runs put of beer money. Sorry, that took a dark turn. Mark me down as a 3 who is currently abstaining. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692/160 "2018-02-18T01:51:19Z")
I used to be a #3, but now I’m closer to #2, because one of my medications could possibly hurt my liver. I’ve never had any indication of liver problems with the medication, but just to be on the safe side, I haven’t touched a drink in a couple of years. I’m a bit sad about that; I used to enjoy discovering new wines. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-relationship-to-alcohol/808692.md?page=9)