I have 1-2 glasses of wine/cocktails when in social settings. More than anything, alcohol makes me tired, which limits my desire to drink. Several of my family members struggle with alcohol abuse and have experienced health and social consequences. Fortunately, many have chosen sobriety. I have sometimes said that I am lucky not to like alcohol enough to quit.

My first experience was in High School. It was a positive one because I was so nervous that I drank very little and was ok… watching others around me get so drunk that they lost control was a warning to not do the same. I quickly learned that if I felt that I had had too much, I needed to find a friend I could trust to stay with and help me until I was feeling better and/or get me home safely. I drink socially but have cut back because I have found I sleep better when I avoid alcohol.

I remember my first drink in 10th grade and I hated how it tasted but felt the peer pressure to drink. I drank a little bit through high school, unsure of what I could handle and sometimes I would overdo it but only remember that happening once or twice.In college I drank a lot more, definitely 3-4 nights a week and often in excess. I rarely listened to my body- I just drank because it felt like social pressures required it. And I enjoyed it, so it was an easy response to the social push.As an adult, over the course of many years, I have come to understand I really don’t like how alcohol makes me feel. I don’t like hangovers, I don’t like brain fog, I don’t like feeling out of control. So largely I have cut it out of my life voluntarily, although even as an adult i often feel pressure socially to drink. It takes a certain confidence to not be influenced into drinking and honoring my body. But if I’m being true to myself, that’s what makes me feel my best. I have a drink maybe once or twice a month these days, usually when I’m out with friends.I wish when I was younger I had had the confidence not to give in to social pressures around drinking. I wish I had been more in tune with my body and my feelings and allowed myself to abstain versus getting pushed to do what everyone else was doing. That can be very hard at a young age!

My parents used to let me have a sip here and there growing up from about age 13. I learned that it was not a big deal so I drink responsibly.I feel I have a good relationship with alcohol, I know when I start feeling good, I need to quit and just drink water. I have never gotten to the point of throwing up.

First drink was in high school. Wine coolers which were cool back then. I was always the driver so I did not drink like my friends. My family on one side is filled with alcoholics so I have always been a social drinker. Maybe 3-5 drinks/month.

Since I am of legal age to consume alcohol. I will have a glass of wine with dinner on the weekends. Growing up, I have learned living in moderation paves the way to a healthy life.

I grew up drinking a sip of wine with my parents and the idea of alcohol being taboo wasn’t really a thing. I also never saw my parents drunk so I didn’t view it as very destructive. The first time I remember getting drunk was at a family friend’s new years party when I was 13, all the kids snuck some alcohol and by the end of the night most of us were puking. I felt so sick I didn’t drink again for a long time! I would say my relationship with alcohol is good at this point in my life, I drink socially.