Beach trips, getting tan, and drinking every night (unless you’re on co-op or in classes…sorry Northeastern). These are just a few reasons why summer is the best season of the year. But this past summer, my world came crashing down when I learned that, due to a medical issue, I could not drink alcohol for six months.
I have to admit that I teared up a little when the doctor told me. No drinking for six months?!?! But I’m in college! How am I going to have any type of social life? After an internal struggle and very supportive friends and family, I decided that I would stick to what the doctor told me because my health is more important than drinking.
After one month of not drinking so far, I am feeling OK about the whole thing. I still have a countdown until the day I can drink again (4 months, 16 days) but I have gotten used to not drinking on the weekends. So…here are the pros and cons I have discovered about not drinking:
Pros:
- No hangovers. Self-explanatory.
- Remembering everything. This also includes explaining to your friends what they did when they were a little too tipsy to remember.
- Not eating 100 cheeseburgers per month in alcohol. Or whatever that Northeastern drinking survey tells you. Click here to find out more information on the calories you might consume from drinking.
- Not getting written up. For drinking, at least.
- Not embarrassing yourself on a regular basis. Now it’s just on a semi-regular, sober basis.
Cons:
- Crying in the corner while my friends pre-game. This is a little bit of an exaggeration but I kind of miss (OK, I really miss) blasting music and making girly drinks with my friends before going out. Drinking virgin pina coladas just isn’t the same.
- Remembering everything. Yes, I remember you making out with that random frat guy all night. Yes, I remember you spilling beer on my shoes. Yes, I remember you puking everywhere after ordering Domino’s at 3 a.m.
- Having to explain why I’m not drinking at a party. Excuses include: “I’m on antibiotics,” “I’m allergic to alcohol,” and “Go f#@% yourself.” No hook-ups. It’s kind of sad that college students rely so heavily on alcohol to hook up with people, but hey, that’s how the world works.
- Not drinking. Not drinking.
As you can see, there are an even amount of pros and cons, so not drinking for six months can’t be THAT bad! As much as I do miss drinking, I am definitely living a healthier lifestyle, so I can’t complain too much. I admit I have dedicated a few pieces of pizza I’ve eaten to the calories I didn’t consume in alcohol the night before, but still. Maybe not drinking for six months is not so bad after all (4 months, 16 days).