I guess I will weigh in on this!!!

I remember those teens years (way back when)... and all the pressure to "be cool". I was one of those kids who did not drink and went out of my way to make it known. I think it was a little easier for me though to make my stand than maybe others. I was an athlete (sort of the star baseball and basketball player - AWHHH - those glory days - passed me by) and a popular person in HS.

Around 17 years old and on, my Dad would ask me if I wanted a beer on special occasions - like my brothers graduations, Christmas and other holidays. I would occasionally accept - although like most of you - I found the taste bitter and one that most have to "acquire a taste" for. He always said I could have "1" and that he would rather "see" me drink and introduce me to the experience - than to have me sneaking around, experimenting on my own and perhaps overdoing it and getting into trouble. NO PROBLEM... he didn't realize I was an advocate for not drinking amongst my peers.

Now in College...
Well that's another story! All the pressure of classes and long hours, paying for it myself, working at the Public Relations office full time (pretty much - 30 hours a week) and playing baseball - I found myself enjoying parties and that relaxing, letting go experience with a Beer Induced Buzz. And Yes, good thing I never got into any real trouble because I did overdue it more times than I would like to remember. Thank God I did not own a car!!!

Now... Well now is (and has been) since those days, a time of moderation. I don't think I have been "drunk" for as long as I can remember and I've never been sick (throwup sick, hugging the toilet bowl, praying to the porcelain Gods Sick) since shortly after college. It's an occasional Beer now and then. Maybe 3 during the Super Bowl, but all in all - probably on average - a Six Pack every month.

That's my story!!!

P.S. A note on those HS years and trying to find a place and take a position. Everybody turned out about pretty much the same. Those that started early and maybe went overboard - most (with the exception of a few who developed problems) have come back to the very same state with those who defiantly avoided alcohol and eventually matured into moderate, occasional social drinkers. Seemed to have all evened out for "most" folks.