Can you become alcoholic with your first drink?

[JoeEllison]

There's no reason to start drinking, so if you don't want to then don't.

I drink. I enjoy drinking. I attempt to do it in moderation. I am not always successful, but I'm also not an alcoholic. I just don't have it in me, I guess. I've been in situations where I couldn't drink for extended periods, and I didn't find myself particularly craving a drink, nor did I feel compelled to start drinking again the moment I was able to. But on the other hand, if I had become addicted to alcohol, I'd probably be dead by now. So, why start?

 

[dogjones]

As a Bermudian, I have been drinking since I could hold a bottle. Some would consider that alcoholism. I call it autodidacticism.

 

[m_huber]

I am currently at a stage in life when my superiors and various companies are taking me out to eat for interviews, etc. I always feel like I am adding tension to a tedious situation whenever the rest of the party orders some type of alcohol and I get a coke. While I realize that this effectively is "peer pressure," I cannot help but feel that it has monetary consequences. Does anyone know from experience, ie, as an interviewer or supervisor, if this sort of thing actually is consequential? Also, is it truly unreasonable for me to want to "fit in" in this way?

 

[Rasmus]

1/3 of all people in prison were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their offense and 50% had drank or used in the previous month.

I hear the numbers for plain white bread are even worse ...

You complain about a lack of scepticism ion the discussion and then offer something as fallacious as that? Please!

The only thing alcohol will do is alter your brain chemistry. How can that be a good thing?

It can be great fun. Just like chocolate or long distance running.

I really know too little to judge how endangered the OP is, but those aren't reasons to not try and have a few drinks.

 

[Ysidro]

I am currently at a stage in life when my superiors and various companies are taking me out to eat for interviews, etc. I always feel like I am adding tension to a tedious situation whenever the rest of the party orders some type of alcohol and I get a coke. While I realize that this effectively is "peer pressure," I cannot help but feel that it has monetary consequences. Does anyone know from experience, ie, as an interviewer or supervisor, if this sort of thing actually is consequential? Also, is it truly unreasonable for me to want to "fit in" in this way?

It's not unreasonable to want to "fit in" at all. It's human nature. However, that doesn't mean you should always want to fit in.

Perhaps there is a "monetary consequence" for not drinking but honestly, I wouldn't want to be in that sort of environment even if I did drink.

Have you ever had a drink? It sounds like you haven't. You might not like it. That's the primary reason I don't drink. I just don't like the taste alcohol imparts.

Anyway, don't drink because of peer pressure. For any reason. Ever. Seriously. It's a stupid reason to drink. Maybe you do need to have drink, otherwise you won't know if you like it but I can't see any good reason to do so.

Has anyone ever called you out on your vile teetotalling ways while in a professional environment? If so, what was your response?

 

[godofpie]

I hear the numbers for plain white bread are even worse ...

You complain about a lack of scepticism ion the discussion and then offer something as fallacious as that? Please!



It can be great fun. Just like chocolate or long distance running.

I really know too little to judge how endangered the OP is, but those aren't reasons to not try and have a few drinks.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#alcohol
You should you do your homework before accusing others of being fallacious. Cocaine can be great fun too. Until it isn't any more. You should probably go read a book.

 

[James Fox]

I’ve been dealing with those addicted to alcohol and any number of other things for over twenty five years. While not a chemical dependency expert I’d call myself well read and having had a lot of experience with those who abuse. It appears to me that there are many who are quite prone to becoming easily addicted to alcohol. These folk also seem to get “drunk” drinking less alcohol also. I personally reject the disease definition of alcoholism and think of it as a psychological and chemically based addictive behavior. Also 12 step treatment programs, which most treatment programs are, are mostly crap and have at best a 5% treatment success rate. Look at your family history, it’s a good predictor with regard to your genetics and modeled behavior and likely your ability to tolerate and process alcohol.

Personally I’m a fan of craft brewed IPA’s, good affordable wine, single malt scotch (Laphroaig quarter cask) and a cold G&T on a hot day. I find teetotalers generally irritating but have no problem with non-drinkers at all.

 

[quarky]

drunks are jerks.

so are straight people.

My favorites fall in between, but many, if not most, can't really handle drugs with grace.
being sober is admirable, but its no panacea.

If Bush had been more into drinking, he wouldn't be the president.
My advice:

If you think you might become a major dick as a sober person, take up drinking.

 

[Michelle Lyon]

Alcoholism is a strange beast.

The way I understand it is that it's a nature-nurture debate.

Nature in that an alcoholic may have a biological predisposition to becoming an alcoholic, such as neurological problems, mood or personality disorders, or lack of enzymes for breaking down the alcohol, which is then a risk for alcohol poisoning, stuff like that. So it's no suprise that it can run in families.

Nurture because of the lifestyle involved with drinking - not just the actual drinking but also in abusive or unstable home life, poor lifestyle examples set by parents or other adults, the personality of the child and how he or she interprets events, the list goes on. Kids often grow up to drink because they learned from their families that that's what you do in a crisis, they self-medicate a psychiatric disorder that might also be running in the family (whether or not they are aware of the disorder), they drink to escape emotionally, to find social acceptance, that list also goes on. This is not a case of "bad parenting" but a case of children learning behaviors from any adults, which are nearly impossible to reverse in their own adulthood.

This can be true with any intoxicant, really. And then, the problem comes with not the first drink so much as the inability to stop later. Your body develops a tolerance so you have to keep drinking more. When one might try to sober up, one gets so sick from withdrawals that it may not seem worth it, or may then be forced to confront life sober, which can be a real hell for some people. On top of that your brain is sufficiently fried from drinking (which is irreversible damage), making the ability to deal even worse. I knew folks who committed suicide after sobering because they simply could not deal with their lives, their pasts, their mistakes.

There are exceptions; there are people who are from alcoholic families who never become alcoholics, and there are others from picture-perfect families that get into serious trouble. So you have to think about what that person him or herself brings to the equasion.

Am I making any sense? LOL

 

[Michelle Lyon]

My own weakness is the mixed drinks. Keep me away form the margaritas, tequila sunrises, daquiries, irish cream, monkeybites, anything with cream, chocolate, fruit juice or soda mixed in it. I can guzzle down so many of those just because they taste so damn good. And I'm not supposed to have a single one due to medication I'm on that heightens the effects of alcohol. So it's something that I have to simply not have just one of because I won't stop drinking them. They taste too good. Any other drink I will babysit, but the sweet ones, keep me away.

The virgin versions are not the same, either. They have to have that yummy sting of alcohol goin' down, otherwise it's just a boring old strawberry slushy in a fancy glass .

 

[quarky]

My own weakness is the mixed drinks. Keep me away form the margaritas, tequila sunrises, daquiries, irish cream, monkeybites, anything with cream, chocolate, fruit juice or soda mixed in it. I can guzzle down so many of those just because they taste so damn good. And I'm not supposed to have a single one due to medication I'm on that heightens the effects of alcohol. So it's something that I have to simply not have just one of because I won't stop drinking them. They taste too good. Any other drink I will babysit, but the sweet ones, keep me away.

The virgin versions are not the same, either. They have to have that yummy sting of alcohol goin' down, otherwise it's just a boring old strawberry slushy in a fancy glass .

any self-respecting drunk will seek out pills that warn you of heightened effects with alcohol.

so, what meds are you on,if you don't mind me asking?

 

[fingersmith]

So I assume you are not going to answer my questions?

I hesitate to answer your questions as you seem to be emotionally invested in the subject and I'm not sure that a back and forth debate would interest me, however:

How many alcoholics are in your family?

We never discussed much about family but I remember being told my grandfather on my fathers side was, not sure if that's true or not though.

Would you use this same reasoning with cocaine, cigarettes, heroin, or any other addictive substance, or is your advice for alcohol only?

my advice would differ depending on the question. Illegal drugs have the inherent problem of being unregulated, therefore could have anything mixed in and carrying criminal sentences if caught among other things, I would mention this. If he decided he still wanted to do it anyway I would advise to start slowly and to keep tabs on the amount he is doing. Cigarettes I would advise are not particularly pleasureable in my opinion, but if he wanted to do it and was worried about addiction I would advise to keep an eye on the amount he smoked and cut back if he was forming a habit.

Could you explain to me the socially beneficial uses for alcohol?

I don't really see what there is to explain, it's well known that humans the world over get pleasure from drinking with friends.

Why should he start drinking? Because everyone else is? Because it is socially acceptable? Why?

He should only start drinking if he wants to start drinking. If he thinks that having beer with his friends will add a pleasurable experience to his life, then I think that's a reasonable expectation.

 

[Jaggy Bunnet]

I am currently at a stage in life when my superiors and various companies are taking me out to eat for interviews, etc. I always feel like I am adding tension to a tedious situation whenever the rest of the party orders some type of alcohol and I get a coke. While I realize that this effectively is "peer pressure," I cannot help but feel that it has monetary consequences. Does anyone know from experience, ie, as an interviewer or supervisor, if this sort of thing actually is consequential? Also, is it truly unreasonable for me to want to "fit in" in this way?

Not an issue at all.

For an interview situation it would be unusual for any alcohol to be involved, even with a meal. If you are talking a company sponsored seminar with an open bar, then nobody is remotely interested in what you are drinking.

Once you are in a job, the only reason it tends to ever raise its head is during social events as these are often involve the opportunity to drink (parties, nights out, celebrations, meals etc.). Many people don't drink anyway because they are driving. However my experience is that those who don't drink at all are more likely not to attend / to leave earlier than those who do - this probably does have an impact as it reduces the social bonding that takes place at such events. It does not however have anything like as negative an impact as the person who drinks too much at such an event. And often the people who get the most benefit from such events are those that take a full part but don't drink at them.

I agree that peer pressure is a terrible reason to try drinking. If you want to try it, do it for your own reasons not anyone elses.

 

[Chimera]

I am currently at a stage in life when my superiors and various companies are taking me out to eat for interviews, etc. I always feel like I am adding tension to a tedious situation whenever the rest of the party orders some type of alcohol and I get a coke. While I realize that this effectively is "peer pressure," I cannot help but feel that it has monetary consequences. Does anyone know from experience, ie, as an interviewer or supervisor, if this sort of thing actually is consequential? Also, is it truly unreasonable for me to want to "fit in" in this way?

I have (AA) friends who don't drink at business functions, and, although it may sometimes arouse curiosity, it doesn't seem to have affected their success at work. But I understand wanting to fit in. Social drinking is so ubiquitous. You really notice it more when you don't indulge.

 

[godofpie]

I hesitate to answer your questions as you seem to be emotionally invested in the subject and I'm not sure that a back and forth debate would interest me, however:

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

We never discussed much about family but I remember being told my grandfather on my fathers side was, not sure if that's true or not though.

If you feel at anytime your drinking is getting out of hand you might want to research that further.

my advice would differ depending on the question. Illegal drugs have the inherent problem of being unregulated, therefore could have anything mixed in and carrying criminal sentences if caught among other things, I would mention this. If he decided he still wanted to do it anyway I would advise to start slowly and to keep tabs on the amount he is doing. Cigarettes I would advise are not particularly pleasureable in my opinion, but if he wanted to do it and was worried about addiction I would advise to keep an eye on the amount he smoked and cut back if he was forming a habit.

So even though we are now well aware of the health dangers of smoking/drugs/alcohol you would still advise him to experiment? That doesn't make sense to me. m_huber has made it all the way to adulthood without taking a drink. I don't see any beneficial reason for him to start now.

I don't really see what there is to explain, it's well known that humans the world over get pleasure from drinking with friends.

So because everyone else is doing it? At the risk of sounding like my mom, if everybody decided to jump off a cliff, would you follow them? My question is do the possible benefits outweigh the potential consequences?

He should only start drinking if he wants to start drinking. If he thinks that having beer with his friends will add a pleasurable experience to his life, then I think that's a reasonable expectation.

I think that there a lot of other things you can do to add pleasure to your life that doesn't involve ingesting known toxins. I know that we are just going to have to agree to disagree but I would hope that in the future if someone asks you if they should start drinking you will re-think your answer. Just because some people can drink with little or no consequences does not mean that drinking is a wise choice under any circumstances.

 

[Lilith]

Alcoholism can have a genetic component (it can run in families). Or it may arise in a family member with no known alcoholic relatives. I have been fortunate most of my life to not have any alcoholic relatives that I'm aware of. And my extended family on both sides is huge! One sibling currently makes wine and beer, and two grandparents, one on each side, used to make the stuff. None of these is/was alcoholic. But very recently an adopted relative (no genetic relation) has been diagnosed. I also met siblings a few years ago in which members of both sides of the family were alcoholic. Of these college-aged siblings, one has decided to never drink, another is drinking socially (so far, so good).

As I understand it, you can't be diagnosed as an alcoholic after only one drink - but can that one drink make you an alcoholic? I would guess not. I would think it's a process that your body goes through after you've had a few intoxications and began to crave more alcohol. I would also guess that if you have the genetics that make you suceptible to alcoholism, it would take less time and drinks before becoming alcoholic.

Also, as I've seen, it's a horrible disease and next-to-impossible to beat. So if you are concerned about becoming an alcoholic, I would say don't risk it.

As for me, I enjoy beer (I.P.A.s usually) and never much worried about alcoholism. Having been recently exposed to others that suffer from alcoholism, I keep closer tabs on how much I drink now. Not a bad thing to do.

 

[Jaggy Bunnet]

Just because some people can drink with little or no consequences does not mean that drinking is a wise choice under any circumstances.

And equally just because some people can't drink without consequences does not mean that drinking is not a wise choice under any circumstances.

For example there is significant debate about the health effects of moderate alcohol consumption with some evidence suggesting a positive impact on life expectancy compared to zero consumption.

 

[latent aaaack]

You have to take environment and stressful life events into any prediction of whether you'll become an alcoholic.

A lot of my family members were alcoholics and I decided to drink sparingly if at all because I don't see it as worth it in my life. Luckily this didn't include my parents, who told me about it and don't drink themselves.

My grandfather had everything together when he graduated West Point but after fighting in WW2, including in Iwo Jima, he came back and became a severe alcoholic which apparently became a bigger problem for him than any PTSD that may have contributed to causing it. I know that in many cases when a family member has had some major stressful life event or mental illnesses it also sometimes resulted in addiction, causing another major problem of it's own. So the real test of whether you're an alcoholic may be your drinking habits should you come across hard times when it becomes tempting to drown your troubles.

 

[godofpie]

And equally just because some people can't drink without consequences does not mean that drinking is not a wise choice under any circumstances.

For example there is significant debate about the health effects of moderate alcohol consumption with some evidence suggesting a positive impact on life expectancy compared to zero consumption.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol.html
I found this article that weighs the pros and cons as you mentioned. and to quote from the article
"If you don't drink, there's no need to start. You can get similar benefits with exercise (beginning to exercise if you don't already or boosting the intensity and duration of your activity) or healthier eating."
It seems to me unwise to suggest to someone that has never had a drink, that the reason to begin drinking would be for the health benefits.

 

[Ateius]

I actually wrote an essay reaching this very conclusion (one drink = alcoholic) ... in grade seven. Since then, I have had more than one drink, and one "drunk". I don't particularly enjoy it beyond the occasional beer/ale/rum-and-eggnog (Christmas only).

But, although my grade 7 conclusion has turned out wrong (that one drink = alcoholism for anyone), as others have mentioned, it's still possible for some; those that are predisposed to it. Unfortunately, I don't know how one can tell ahead of time.