"It's just one beer, what's the big deal?"
"Haha, that's a good one! Wait, you seriously don't drink?"
"You? No way! You can't seriously be an alcoholic."
"Want a drink? Oh, sorry I forgot."
Four common responses after I tell friends that I have a drinking problem. It's really sad how few people actually believe that it's actually a thing. Especially because I decided to stop BEFORE any DUIs, accidents, or incidents with the cops. But you don't have to get there to have an unhealthy relationship with drinking.
The pressure to drink is incredible. Everyone drinks, hangs out at bars, gets wine or beer with a meal; it seems like a normal part of life. I mean people are at the very least talking about how they can't wait to go drink this weekend to relax after the stress of the week.
These days, the culture is peer pressure enough to make it hard to resist.
You would never guess it, but the truth is that I dream about tequila, wish I was drinking every day, and can't seem to stop it. I've been sober for over a year now, and the cravings have subsided a lot!! But now, the thoughts sneak in telling me that it's no big deal, it's just one drink, it won't really do damage, I can handle it...
This is the most dangerous game. Alcohol kills more people than any other drug EVERY YEAR. And it's hard to keep saying, "no thank you" to every friend who forgets.”
--Jessica, Student