Drinking habits

Hi readers, it’s Emily and William here this week, wondering if we drink more at home or when we are out?

I, Emily, drink more when I’m out. In the last six months, I’ve probably only had a glass of cider at home. When out with friends, I might have two glasses of cider or a spirit like Sambucca.

As for me, William, I never drink at home. Well, that’s not true, I drink tea and coffee! When out with friends, I might have two pints of lager.

Neither of us see the point of getting really drunk. We have friends who sometimes drink way too much, think they are having a nice time, but when you speak to them the next day, they can’t remember any of it. Sometimes they make a fool of themselves when they’re drunk. We just like the taste of a drink and having it in moderation.

Sometimes when we are out we don’t even think about having a drink, and prefer a soft drink like Coke. However occasionally we feel pressure from others that we should be having something alcoholic, that something is wrong with us if we don’t. We have both said yes to a drink when we don’t really want one, just to keep the person asking quiet. We would both say no though if it was more than we were comfortable with.

We like the Friendship Club because there is never any pressure to drink there. If we want one it’s up to us, but it’s equally ok not to have one.

Some of our friends have never drunk alcohol and never will. There are people who have a problem with it as it can be addictive. We think it seems most sensible to drink only if you really want to, and in moderation.

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by The Friendship Club– a project for adults with learning disabilities, run by People First Dorset