Should I start drinking at 25?

[NARFALICIOUS]

If you haven't drank yet, DO NOT start. You haven't needed it yet, and you won't need it ever.

[DrSloan]

You will never know unless you try.
Everyone has a different type of palate for taste, and experiences can be quite different for everyone.
There is no reason for you not to try it and there is no reason for you to try it.
Most people traditionally drink in a social setting.

[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by crashoran

I've never had a drink before - dad was a heavy drinker and died from liver complications, mom still has a really bad drinking problem. She is manic depressive and gets extremely violent while drunk (punching, hitting, breaking things).

I've always had this fear that if I start drinking it will activate a switch and turn me into my parents

You are a very intelligent person. I know someone quite well who had your same fear and at age 35 they ignored that fear and in a couple of years were having the DTs. Unusual, but, once he started, he went full speed ahead. He told me getting the toxins out of his system was a living Hell. He is now an alcoholic, whereas, before, he was a man who'd never had a drink. Please follow what your mind is telling you. The odds of becoming an alcoholic is much higher due to having alcoholic parents.

[StAcKhOuSe]

both my parents were hardcore alcoholics. my mother still has a drinking problem. i drink too, but not as much. i had my phase where i could put the booze away more than hunter s. thompson on a vegas bender, but just got tired of the hangovers every weekend and was concerned that my health will deteriorate if i keep doing that.

almost every single person in my family is or was an alcoholic. i am the first one to even graduate college(even my cousins didn't go to college). some people say it is hereditary. it's mostly psychological. we all live in our own minds and are heavily influenced by our own thought process. if you are confident enough and have self-discipline to say to yourself that you won't follow in the same footsteps, then you won't go down the same path.

however, if you hold the attitude that it is inevitable once you take your first drink, then you will become a drunken loser like your parents. it's all about your thought process. trust me, heredity doesn't play as big of a role as people lead you to believe. sure, i'll go on the occasional bender or might drink in the afternoon, so what? the tell-tale difference is how you act. if you are constantly causing trouble or missing work, you might have a problem. train yourself to do the right things/be responsible, and not behave like a total idiot. take a look at your parents and just keep thinking to yourself that you don't want to end up like that.

don't let these fear mongers get to you.

[barkomatic]

If you have managed to live without it up to this point then I think it would be a totally valid and solid choice to not start. Presumably, you've already built friendships and interests that don't involve drinking--and that is a huge asset. If you do decide to start, try to make sure you are around people who actually care about you--and aren't just there because you're a drinking buddy keeping *them* company as they drink. Furthermore, hang out with people who maybe have a little to drink at social events and don't go crazy at every opportunity.

It sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders to ask this by the way. Good luck.

[Aldous9]

Considering your family history why start now?

I think everyone who drinks alcohol has some kind of addiction with it. For most people it's a mild addiction. When the weekend rolls around I really need a beer. I never say to myself "damn I really need a burrito". I like burritos but I'm not addicted to them. But with a beer sometimes I really need one.