I grew up watching alcohol in a very safe normal context . Wine with family dinners , champagne for special occasions and so on . The bar was always open in my place it was never taboo I knew it was reserved for “adults “ but my parents always said that if I ever felt curious I could try it with moderation at home . I never felt like it until I was 21 . In college I probably drank a little more but it was always responsibly … and now as an adult I think I live in a very “alcoholic” culture especially in the post pandemic years . But I only have a glass here and there socially cause I honestly enjoy certain flavors and I am a mixologist but never ever to feel “happy or numb or take the edge off “ or any of those things . And in my place it has never been taboo either . The bar is always open and my kiddos never feel the urge to si something stupid . It’s just a part of our culture and society and life but everything in moderation and responsibly .

I’m currently pregnant so I can’t drink. However when I do drink I would say once every week or two weeks. I have a very healthy relationship with alcohol.I started drinking my senior year of high school. At first it was a couple drinks on the weekend. As I went into college drinking was more like several days a week which continued to after graduating and into my 20’s. I never felt that my drinking was a problem. I was just doing what all my friends were doing. Today I would just have a casual drink at dinner.

I remember as a child we would drink a beer at a home meal occasionally. As a teenager, I would drink a cold beer at a cafe' if I was really thirsty. I did not consider it an alcohol drink. Sometimes, now, I have a half beer. Sometimes I have a glass of wine. I don't give alcohol any power.

I didn’t like the taste of alcohol when I was first introduced nor in my 20s when my friends were drinking quite a bit. I evidently acquire a taste for it and enjoy it on occasion.

I grew up with an alcoholic grandfather so witnessed first hand what alcoholism looked like. My grandmother and all those around him enabled him. He went to rehab many times, relapsed many times but eventually was able to work the program to stay clean and sober. I remember feeling a lot of anxiety around him when he was intoxicated.I had my first drink in high school, partying with friends. Did the college thing partying with friends. Over indulging on occasion, which made me feel terrible the next day so didn’t do it very often. After college, drank socially on weekends or special occasions. Since having children I drink very seldom and if I do it’s only one drink at dinner or at a social function.