Sober is Sexy

Prospects of getting an entry in this week were looking bleak as I was struggling for a challenge to take when I was invited to a Facebook group titled “Sober is Sexy”. Bah! Hilarious, I couldn’t wait to see the stream of slurring comments and embarrassing photos to follow. I laughed, slammed back the rest of my beer, clicked ‘accept’ and then left my mind to blow in the wind for a few minutes. Was I not sexy? Scratch that, what I really thought was do I have a drinking problem?

No, but I did, and unfortunately the ‘get a clue’ sign wasn’t so subtly put in front of my face. This challenge isn’t one that I took up for the week but one I’ve actually been taking since I was, wait for it, 19. As the Ben Harper song goes “Some drink to remember, some to forget, some for satisfaction and some for regret”, and with the addition of a few more this pretty much sums up my reasoning for picking up the bottle and holding on to it until I decided to put it down and see how long it would stay there. I was eighteen, without my high school diploma, living on my own and eating pancakes (the just add water kind) for most meals and on the eve of my nineteenth birthday and a voice from within finally came through my hand and slapped me in the face. Jenna-girl get a control on yo’ self! That was it! Well there was a little more but that was the last night I don’t remember.

But how do I feel this good sober? Sober driver and mother-hen can get pretty tiresome but I wouldn’t trade it for remembering the great times with my friends, a solid nights sleep and enjoying the hours before noon. I’ll admit, giving up bread would have been easier given the life I’d been living and the friends I’d accumulated. The first few months were the hardest but in all honesty I had a much better time experiencing the night in full capacity and not waking up to embarrassing stories and an inability to remember them all. Now I know when I go to the bar I’ve got a safe ride home, just as much money as I did when I arrived and I look the same as I did when I left the house.

The hardest thing is hearing my friends say they feel bad when they drink around me like it hurts my feelings or I’m judging them. Do I think I’m superior? Not at all. I learned that when it comes to drinking my limits abandon me, and I’m okay with that. I don’t look down on people that drink and in truth I wish I was a little more in control so I could share a friendly couple with you. It’s not always easy when you drop the ‘I don’t drink’ line to a strapping gent on the dance floor who wants to buy you one and the room quickly goes silent. Embarrassed? What for? Going to the bar is one of the healthiest things I can do for my body. Dancing like my life depends on it and hydrating it up with water, I have nothing of comparable rejuvenation. I hear the following every time I go out, so I’m assuming some of you are thinking it right now “But I can’t dance unless I’m drunk”. I have a secret, just because you aren’t drunk doesn’t mean people don’t think you are. Numerous times I’ve been at the bar dancing it up and people have asked me “how much I’ve had to drink” or if I “have any extra (insert drug of choice) to share”. The drink I’m drinking is on special for ‘free’ all night and I’m high on life if you want to join me. As someone who has seen her fair share of drunk dancing the only thing I notice changes from additional drinks is the room you take up and the ability to include bystanders as your bumpers.

Think you yourself have a drinking problem? Just as there are secondhand effects from smoking, not knowing your limits with alcohol can be damaging to others as well. I’m sure we’ve all had that friend who gets way out of control and before you know it you yourself are put in a risk situations that threatens your health, security or criminal record. Not only can you be a hazard to someone else but listening to you repeat yourself with stories and demands that make no sense is time consuming. And who hasn’t been the victim or witnessed someone else being insulted or humiliated by someone who’s mouth gets a little too loose after a couple. If your friends are becoming less supportive of picking you up something at the LCBO on the weekends or you get a few extra jabs the next day you may want to question whether you are really the ‘good’ time you think you are.

Maybe I’m a minority but my crew is growing as the number of University students who choose to ‘get their drunk on’ regularly (once a month) is shrinking across Canada. I’m 25 now and in the last 6 years have consumed less than a 12 pack. Do I think I’m better, not in the slightest, do I think I’m sexier....well…no. But I do feel healthier, more financial secure and in control of my own happiness. If you think that’s sexy then join the club.

By definition alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in ongoing alcohol-related relationship problems; the failure to attend to important responsibilities at home, school, or at work; drinking situations that can result in physical injury; and/or the experience of recurring alcohol-related legal problems.

If you think you or a friend has a drinking problem you can contact UW Counselling Service for free confidential counseling with qualified professionals. You can make an appointment by going to Needles Hall Room 2080 or calling 519 888 4567 x32655

Please, If you ever think your friend has surpassed their drinking limits or is in need of medical attention don’t ever leave them alone and never hesitate to call 911