clumsyconnor came to me on Skype and asked me to do a post directed at his friend because his friend was considering participating in underage drinking. I abhor drinking of any kind and I also loathe lawbreaking of any kind even if it's done with the purest of intentions.
I don't care if you are old enough to drink or not; you do it responsibly if you are going to drink at all. The legal ages are between 18 and 21 depending upon where in the world you live, but being legal does not give you license to act irresponsible or do dangerous things under the influence.
If you must drink, do not drive or mix it with other substances because too much alcohol or mixing with substances can lead to brain damage or even death. Is 'mixing' really worth risking the chance that you could OD or spend the rest of your life as a drooling vegetable who is completely dependent on others or machines?
Those who are legally allowed to drink also need to be responsible and sensible enough to not drive while impaired. Doing so could lead to arrest, heavy fines, prison time, or you could even kill someone while drinking and driving. Do you really want to risk your freedom, your life, or the lives of others just to be cool? There are safer, more legal ways to be cool.
If you are under the legal age, stay away from alcohol period. You absolutely can go to jail for drinking while underage or you can get in equally deep trouble. I know not every parent is sensible enough or responsible enough to teach their offspring to stay away from alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances that can cause harm, but there is education on the subject available through schools, youth groups, police presentations, hospitals, or anywhere that a responsible adult can be found.
I speak on this because almost five years ago, on October 26, 2014, I lost my biological father to a very rare, end-stage cancer that was caused by his addictions. He was diagnosed in mid-July of that year and after he found out that nothing could be done for him, he said, "F*** it, I'm going to die anyway," and began down that dark road of drinking yet again. He was in rehab for a week before he got bored and demanded to come home. I don't think it did anything for him anyway and visiting the place was like visiting someone in a posh prison. From what I understand, he drank since he was a teenager (born 1952) and became abusive because of it. I was a casualty of his choices, but I am healing.
Alcohol can turn a perfectly good, hard-working, sensible person into a monster who values nothing more than getting another drink. Alcoholics will hurt anyone they must and do whatever they must to get another drink. Ask yourself; is it worth it to take even one drink knowing that it could lead to a lifetime of addiction?
