Drunkenness

Invictus · Jul 6, 2004

I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind the decision of so many people to get blindingly drunk. To me the notion of finding pleasure in avoiding the responsibility of consciousness is absurd. Equally ridiculous are the parties that are held with the singular purpose of expressing hysterical chaos and involve nothing but people wandering around in senseless, acholic trances.

Why do people enjoy experiencing the illusion of a world devoid of purpose, reality and awareness?

seebs · Jul 6, 2004

I suspect that this is not what they experience. What do they experience? I guess you'd have to ask them.

I think a common trend I've observed is that people wish to be, for a little while, free of the stresses and responsibilities which normally constrain them. This is an understandable desire, I guess.

TrueQ · Jul 7, 2004

Well, reality and purpose aren't everything, it's good for the soul to let go of them on occasion. Personally though, I drink to slough off inhibitions, there are times when they'll keep you from doing something genuinely stupid, destructive, or embarrassing. But everyone has a few limitations they'd really rather liberate themselves from. Shyness and timidity, for example, can be washed away with a little alcohol, and, for the intellectuals, I find a glass or two of wine will cure writer's block pretty well.

Of course, I'm not saying we should all get smashed all the time. It's all about finding the balance and avoiding the addiction, which is, I suppose, true of most things.

"You can't seriously want to ban alcohol!? It tastes great, makes women appear more attractive, and makes a man virtually invulnerable to sarcasm!"

-Diamond Joe Quimby

Tomk80 · Jul 7, 2004

Invictus said:
I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind the decision of so many people to get blindingly drunk. To me the notion of finding pleasure in avoiding the responsibility of consciousness is absurd. Equally ridiculous are the parties that are held with the singular purpose of expressing hysterical chaos and involve nothing but people wandering around in senseless, acholic trances.

Why do people enjoy experiencing the illusion of a world devoid of purpose, reality and awareness?

Well, I don't mind getting drunk, although I'm pretty resistant to alcohol, which means I've never lost control of myself and always remember what I have done afterwards.
Although I don't need alcohol to get loose (good company is always the best way for that), it gives a certain relaxed atmosphere which is uhh... relaxing. But that also has to do with the company I'm in when drinking (no people who get aggressive after drinking lots of alcohol). Alcohol opens people up in a way that can be very surprising and funny. But then again, that is before the senselessness and wandering around start. I wonder whether that part of the deal is something people actually like. It might be they like the stages beforehand, and just have a hard time in not knowing when to stop.

Also notice that, especially in those parties, there is often a group effect. Usually there is a jerk like me, who just makes sure everyone has a beer in his hand . At certain parties, it's just nearly impossible not to walk with a beer in each hand. Not because people really want to get drunk, but because everyone just hands the beers out to the people around them, without really looking whether those persons are up to another one or not. And often, those people who get the beer just drink it, without really giving it any thought. So it might just not be a very conscious process.

Tomk80 · Jul 7, 2004

PS: Having one or two glasses of alcohol a day is very good for you, according to the present research on the topic. Not drinking or heavy drinking isn't very healthy however.

USincognito · Jul 7, 2004

I'm a functional alcoholic. I started drinking to loosen up, but later found it helped relax me and take the edge off of the day. Now I drink a lot every day. The folks you're talking about - I'm assuming - are teens and 20 somethings who just haven't learned how to control themselves in a social situation. Acting stupid at a party is quite a bit different from being an alcoholic.

Arikay · Jul 7, 2004

Beer? Ick.

Speaking of getting loose, studies show that for many people alcohol has a plecebo effect, and that they start showing the signs of looseness or drunkeness before the alcohol has time to actually take effect.
Also, people don't always want to experience the world in a wandering stupor. Once you drink enough alcohol it will make you want more. So the person might not plan on getting really drunk, but it creeps up on them.

In small quantities alcohol can sometimes act as a stimulant, enhancing clarity and creativity.

007wj · Jul 7, 2004

I have always been a fan of not drinking....period. I have had battles with alcohol when I was younger. And watching my Dad use a lot of alcohol really affected my outlook on what it can do to a person, even when they think they are in control. However, as time passed, with a small amount of influence from a relative, I slowly began to drink a few wine coolers......not bad, actually pretty good.
So, I have yet to venture back into a state of "drunkeness", and do not think that I will, but to have a a couple here or there socially is not so bad anymore.

ReUsAbLePhEoNiX · Jul 7, 2004

Invictus said:
I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind the decision of so many people to get blindingly drunk. To me the notion of finding pleasure in avoiding the responsibility of consciousness is absurd. Equally ridiculous are the parties that are held with the singular purpose of expressing hysterical chaos and involve nothing but people wandering around in senseless, acholic trances.

Why do people enjoy experiencing the illusion of a world devoid of purpose, reality and awareness?

ok so check out my neighbors, one side of me is a bunch of drunken rednecks, who get plastered and do absolutly nothing but try to get each other drunk more, pick up drunk girls, until they are laughing at each other passing out and vomiting and sleeping with each other

Then on the other side of me is a mixed race family who has weed smoking parties, nobody gets drunk-stupid ( except they are occational drinkers) and the conversations stay coherent,friendly, and intelligent

Of course the two nieghbors dont interact with each other. and they demonize the other..
The redneck drunkards think the illegal potheads are criminal,
While the illegal potheads think the rednecks are racist drunken idiots.

I dont know my point
but its a good contrast between the two intoxicants and its social effect.

ReUsAbLePhEoNiX · Jul 7, 2004

while I must say I have been sloppy drunk maybe 3 times in my life,
alcholhol has a real positive effect when playing music and dealing with stage fright.
My personaltity is etremely introverted and quiet, I am unable to open up and get comfortable on stage, and express myself on stage unless I get slightly intoxicated with a bottle of vodka/ lemonade...so in that case its a positive thing

Kimberly1984 · Jul 8, 2004

Before I was serious about my faith I drank alot and went to parties alot. It was fun and made me feel accepted by my peers. Thats why I went. The taste wasn't bad at all either, I really enjoyed many of the drinks I was given. So I can totally understand why people love to drink, get drunk, and go to the wild parties; most "bad" things for you are fun. If they were not fun we wouldn't have so many debates!

Blessed-one · Jul 9, 2004

what about the so called peer pressure? (in the context of a 'fun' party)
that can be one other factor..

edited: ops, i see Kimberley has pointed that one out already.

Freodin · Jul 9, 2004

It has to be something with personal experiences.

I have never been drunk in my life. I don´t drink much - two or three bottles of beer are my regular quantity - per year!

But that has to do with the effect alcohol has on me. I don´t get unrestrained or happy - I become depressive.

Knight · Jul 9, 2004

Here's what I never understood about getting drunk.......

(This is typical based on what I've seen.)

1) You drink to excess and get drunk.

2) You then proceed to make an idiot of yourself.

3) You suffer from severe lack of judgement. (Hence the jokes about "Coyote syndrome.")

4) Physical abilities are impared. (Speech, walking)

5) Vomiting is usually a result. (Don't know about you but I've never found this to be much fun......)

6) You wake up the next morning with a massive headache and no memory of what happened.

7) You typically continue vomiting...... (Still no fun.)

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