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[–]kiai 87 points88 points ago

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Long rides to beautiful places. I go out on my bike with a bunch of friends to visit a forest or a waterfall or some such place. Travelling on weekends is good.

[–]FreeTheAnimals 26 points27 points ago

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I rode 115 miles this weekend. Yes, I am proud of myself.

[–]aamir64 4 points5 points ago

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WOW. Yesterday (my first time) I did 25 miles and I was so happy, but that pales in comparison of your achievement.

[–]porksmash 2 points3 points ago

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Same, but 15 miles. I'll get there some day!

[–]pssvr 1 point2 points ago

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You damn well should be. Now post a blog with your pictures and a summary of where you went. Drop me an orangered when it's finished.

[–]alband 8 points9 points ago

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Social sports (like cycling) and hanging out with cool people are a better drug than booze, in my opinion and I've drunk plenty of booze in my time. As well as riding somewhere nice, you can also try mountain biking, which doesn't have to be pretty as long as it's exciting.

Other cool sports include soccer, snow sports (snowboarding, skiing), sailing, hiking - obviously depending on where you live. I also used to love chucking a frisbee or aerobie around - it's a decent workout if you throw long distances and gets the endorphins going.

And what about computer games and LAN parties? The modern consoles have a lot of great co-op games. Again, really just an excuse to hang out with your mates, but definitely fun if you find a game everybody likes.

Well done for staying sober and good luck.

[–]ILike4ChanShh 15 points16 points ago

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What's with you sober fuckers and bicycles?

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]dantetrifone 2 points3 points ago

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im a drunk bastard and bike everywhere, so fuck you

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]negitoro 1 point2 points ago

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Same in Japan. But I'm too fast; they'll never catch me alive

[–]kidmonsters 3 points4 points ago

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What's with you drunk fuckers and 4chan?

[–]beaker26 2 points3 points ago

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I enjoy my social sports with drinking. ahhhhh.

[–]needajerb 51 points52 points ago

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This. Plus smoking pot.

[–]barr629 22 points23 points ago

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That. Minus "this"

[–]teddyknox 8 points9 points ago

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That. Squared.

[–]BustaBlunt 11 points12 points ago

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I don't really talk a lot on here, but there, have an upvote, man.

[–]davideo_games 19 points20 points ago

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Pot smokers are so nice to each other. Especially on the internet.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Where do you live?

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points ago

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This. My SO and I regularly take the dogs out to a park, go on bike rides, take small road trips to places that are 2-3 hours away, play video games, watch movies, go on dates, etc.

[–]williams2409 1 point2 points ago

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sounds like our life as well, love it!

[–]noahisaac 149 points150 points ago

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I'm old as dirt. On Friday night, I like to make sure my billing is done, make a pizza (from scratch), put my daughter to bed, read a chapter or two of a book, have a nice conversation with my wife, and then go to bed between 9:30 - 10:00pm. On Saturday, I like to get up around 7:00am, do some yoga, make breakfast, play with my daughter for a while, do some cleaning, [beepity bleep bleep] with my wife while my daughter is distracted with something or other, make lunch, go to a park or something after lunch with my wife and daughter, grill something for dinner, put my daughter to bed, read a chapter or two of a book, have a nice conversation with my wife, go to bed between 9:30 - 10:00pm. On Sunday, much like Saturday, but substitute yard work or house repairs for cleaning the house, and substitute dinner at the in-laws for grilling.

I'm sure most of you think that this would be terribly boring, but I consumed considerably more than my fair share of drugs (including alcohol) in my teens and 20's. THAT actually got boring to me.

[–]C3LM3R 190 points191 points ago

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If your wife is making those beeps at startup, it's probably a video error has occurred and her BIOS cannot initialize the video screen.

[–]jerrygofixit 45 points46 points ago

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He should take it out and try a different slot, that usually works.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points ago

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Take it out and blow on it, I think.

[–]davideo_games 13 points14 points ago

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Specifically, a video error caused by RAM malfunctioning. Her RAM isn't malfunctioning is it? Normally you can tell by the amount of beeps.

[–]classic411 15 points16 points ago

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Try re-seating her mammary.

[–]gliscameria 1 point2 points ago

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[–]minusthebear 38 points39 points ago

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I am only 24 and my goal is to have your life before I am 35. Does that make me boring?

[–]tk429 12 points13 points ago

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I am 24 and that is my life. It does not make you sound boring (to me). It is the most rewarding part of my admittedly short life so far.

[–]Commander_Adama 22 points23 points ago

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That doesn't make you boring at all; I'm even younger than you and it sounds amazing to me as well.

[–]iBleeedorange 6 points7 points ago

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21 and hoping for the same thing as well

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points ago

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I'm 27 and am shooting for the same thing.

[–]dr_draik 3 points4 points ago

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I'll join the party. Sounds pretty darn amazing.

Then again, I have a friend who is about to get married - 20 years old with a 23 year old fiancè. He's still busy doing his engineering degree at varsity, in his second year of four, and she asked him, "If you do really well this year, do you think we can have a baby next year?"

That kinda floored me. I'm planning on a few years before the kids come out...

[–]throwaway4227 4 points5 points ago

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I'm only 23 and I already have that. Except replace daughter with dogs.

[–]NinjaBob 1 point2 points ago

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I'm 27 and that sounds like heaven to me.

[–]nimbletoes 31 points32 points ago

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This sounds like heaven.... seriously : )

[–]TedBerg 8 points9 points ago

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I'm in the consuming stage. I'm overjoyed that there is still hope for a stage like what you just described.

[–]The_Seeker 9 points10 points ago

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Sounds like you've got a sweet life, mate.

[–]arixol 6 points7 points ago

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I want to go to there.

[–]Gonkulator 4 points5 points ago

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I hope that someday my weekends are like this, I'm jealous.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points ago

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I agree with all of the above and hope to hit that one day. Would it work that instead of the kid can I just have a dog or two?

[–]noahisaac 5 points6 points ago* 

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I guess that depends on you. I didn't really understand what I wanted out of life UNTIL I had a kid. I've had pets all my life, but it was having all my conveniences taken away from me after my daughter was born to really set me straight about what I wanted my life to be like.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]noahisaac 8 points9 points ago

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Oh, hell, no. My daughter is 2.5 years old (sitting on my lap right now - trying to insert a full-sized DIMM into my ultracompacty laptop). My house is in a constant state of chaos. Toys everywhere. I gave up on the concept of domestic order about a year ago. I figure we'll get it back right about the time my daughter moves out.

[–]joonix 6 points7 points ago* 

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Nah, he has hand crafted walnut furniture that he made himself in his garage studio. He's also big and ripped, but he doesn't go to the gym -- it's from his days as a lumberjack in his 20s. He could win body building competitions if he simply agreed to wax his chest, but that's something he will never do.

[–]kevinhoagland 10 points11 points ago

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He is, put simply, the most interesting man in the world.

[–]Torg0 7 points8 points ago* 

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And he doesn't ever drink beer, but when he does, he prefers dos equis.

[–]noahisaac 1 point2 points ago

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I am reduced to a stereotype. I have made a bunch of my own furniture.

You should see my bulging pectoral muscles, too. They are most of my 140lbs of weight.

[–]YamiNoSenshi 3 points4 points ago

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Sounds wonderful.

[–]Titties 2 points3 points ago

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I used to get this powerful urge to go and party. If I didn't, I would feel like I am missing out on the party of a lifetime. I call this "party lust." It often led me to warming up with drinks at home, going to a bar by myself, and crawling home without any regard for personal safety. (I live in South Africa.) I still get these urges after quitting drinking, but I just remind myself that it was never really fun and I was consistently making myself look like a damaged cretin. Every day, sober life becomes a little bit more enjoyable.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Pretty much my life. The parenting is an indispensible part of my enjoyment.

And same here, I became bored with alcohol and drugs a long time ago.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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Dad?

[–]joonix 1 point2 points ago

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I hope that is my routine when I'm your age... hell I'd go for that now (24) if I could.

[–]Shipyaad 1 point2 points ago

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Wow. I would absolutely love to have this...

[–]askheidi 66 points67 points ago

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My boyfriend doesn't drink. His idea of a great weekend is going out dancing with me, getting me drunk and having sex.

[–][deleted] 57 points58 points ago

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Your boyfriend is brilliant.

[–]Desper 18 points19 points ago

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I used to have a girlfriend who I'd get drunk and get massive amounts of blowjobs from, she was way more giving when she was drunk. Not that she wasn't when she was sober,just to a different degree.

[–]9966 22 points23 points ago

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That's how I get massive blowjobs from your girlfriend, too.

[–]askheidi 2 points3 points ago

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Due to my non-scientific sampling of the 20 or so girlfriends I've talked to about this subject, this is a very common occurrence.

[–]dfnkt 3 points4 points ago

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His idea of a great weekend

What's yours?

[–]askheidi 5 points6 points ago

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Pretty similar. I like to dance and drink and I always know I have a DD.

That being said, if you decide to undertake this particular idea of a great weekend, keep in mind that it's annoying if the non-drinking partner is in any way critical of the drinking partner. He knew I drank before we starting dating but he'll still occasionally slip with comments of calling me a wino or saying I'm sloppy drunk after a glass of wine.

[–]gottalottanerve 6 points7 points ago

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Probably one of my biggest pet peeves is going out with friends with the objective of getting rocked, and then having someone in the group tell you how fucked up you are or to relax. Yes, that was the point. If the objective had been for everybody to get really chill, we would've stayed in and smoked. Everybody hates Betty Buzzkill.

[–]cdnforces 1 point2 points ago

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Yeah but if your REALLY overdoing it or YELLING WHEN EVERYBODY IS RIGHT THERE even when I'm drunk too that shit is annoying. I'm a quick forgiver though and don't make a huge issue out of it, I've been there.

[–]zerobass 6 points7 points ago

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Anyone else have a g/f that you think gets much less sexually appealing when she's drunk?

my SO is beautiful, witty, and generally awesome (and doesn't even get particularly sloppy when drunk) but her wanton horniness makes it so I feel like doing things with her when she is drunk is a duty. Sober sex ftw.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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that's nice, but .. what about the time he isn't dancing with you, getting you drunk or having sex (with you presumably). i've never been in a relationship where all i needed was the other person. i doubt i will ever be like that ... i love spending time with friends, who are a very diverse crowd of people. i don't think i could be with a girl who doesn't have good friends of her own who she likes to spend time with.. away from me.

does he spend time with friends? do you?

[–]webdevbrian 22 points23 points ago

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Here's my reply to the OP, with a little preface to get to my answer for his / her question:

I've been dating an alcoholic for the past 4 years, and I will tell you it sucked in the beginning trying to understand the entire situation.

I met her when she was extremely intoxicated at a movie theater, and we exchanged numbers. For about two weeks she was smashed every night and I told her she needs help and to get her act together or we're done. It was early in the relationship and dating a girl who was piss drunk every night wasn't really my thing.

From there she went to rehab for two months (the same two months of beginning dating her) and my mind was completely fucking blown at taking all of this shit I had to endure to be with her, so early into a relationship. I thought "If I can do this" , "Does this make sense" , "I go out drinking with my buddies all the time, what the hell do I do now".

I changed my drinking habits within a month after she got out. She attends AA meetings at least twice a week still, and is still sober. As such, and now that you know my preface, let me answer your question.

We socialize with our family members who drink, they all know we do not, and absolutely respect that. The friends that called me "insane", "Dude, that's fucking bullshit" quite honestly are not my friends anymore. The friends that supported me because they knew she made me happy, are still my friends and are VERY good friends at that.

It's a decision I decided to make to be with her. For example, My sister drinks, her boyfriend (my best friend) also drinks but they know the ground rules. I give her strength and in return she is the best girlfriend any man could ask for.

In my mind, it's a simple thing to let go, for her not so much. Me? I love not going to bars and ranking up bar tabs to get tipsy. Furthermore, I LOVE the fact of not waking up hungover or when I hung out with my buddies, puking all over the place.

For me, a small price to pay.

So...

On weekends it consists of keeping ourselves occupied, chores, etc. My apartment has never been so clean, and we both like it because it's something we can do together.

We still hang out with friends that we have told we do not drink. Some apparently only wanted drinking buddies, others, wanted a long term friendship. I've gotten over the difficult "Yeah, I don't drink but go for it!", as I use to be embarrassed. Like I said above, after two years of telling everyone eventually running into them and having booze around (if they offered it too me) I simply just said "Oh thanks! Sorry though, I don't drink :)" ).

Did I lose friends? Sure. Have I made friends? Absolutely! Have the friends that understood my decision still support it, and still hang out like we use too when we drank? Absolutely, simply we just do not drink.

In response to you directly, and if anyone else needs to hear it from a kid (19 at the time) who went through their 21 birthday without drinking and they think this is a feat, it's not.

Drinking is a social thing, that's all it is. It's something that has after effects which only last a couple of hours (of course, depending if you're drinking into oblivion) and I will tell you, it gets easier in time of saying "Nope, sorry I don't drink".

For you OP, your months will become years, and those years will become decades. I do not know if you're just deciding to quit drinking for a life style change or if you're attending AA, either or, the first year will feel like a weight off your shoulders. It's all down hill.

Stay strong my friend, get active in any sport that you want, read, go out doors, pick up a bunch of hobbies!

[–]zerobass 4 points5 points ago

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"Oh thanks! Sorry though, I don't drink :)"

I never understood why this was the preferable answer, especially in the face of a society that doesn't take nondrinkers too well. When I didn't drink (or when someone offers drugs), I just say 'no thanks' and keep it at that. Seems like a more polite way, and removes the 'sense of judgment' that a lot of people get around non-drinkers (whether judgment exists or not)

[–]webdevbrian 4 points5 points ago

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I guess it's just what I decided to say. My reasoning was that if I can say "no thanks" and say why "I don't drink", it helped me reiterate that to myself every time, thus in the ending, strengthening my new found life decision.

[–]wharrislv 3 points4 points ago

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The reason I tell people I don't drink is because usually when someone offers you a drink either they want a drinking buddy or they're doing something nice for you. If you can explain your rejection with something that makes sense vs. just saying "no thanks" people take it better, furthermore, it stops people from going "awe come on!!!" for 20 mins while you say "no man, i really don't want any."

[–]zerobass 1 point2 points ago

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In my experience, saying you don't drink at all is opening yourself up to have people make it their goal for the entire evening to convince you to 'change your ways' and drink, whereas if you just politely decline they think you must have a reasonable cause for not drinking and leave you alone.

To each his own.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]webdevbrian 3 points4 points ago

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No problem.

I know you've probably started your 12 steps, but remember : Once you've made your decision (which you have) there's no turning back.

Like I said, remember how minuscule it really is.

You got this.

[–]ShadyJane 182 points183 points ago

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I usually take between 6-8 hits of acid and then go to the bar and make fun of all the drunks.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points ago

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The last place I'd want to be on any acid would be a bar.

[–]davelog 24 points25 points ago

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Really? What about an elevator full of morticians and insurance salesmen?

[–]IgnisAeternus 5 points6 points ago

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Or a Harris Teeter (or some other incredibly clean and incredibly bright well-to-do grocery store). From personal experience, that is a terrible place to be in the middle of a trip.

[–][deleted] ago* 

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[deleted]

[–]diuge 6 points7 points ago

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Trip sitters. 100%, trip sitters. Preferably two or more, so they can take breaks/go out for things. Most of the horrible things that revolve around LSD trips can be mitigated by sitters.

[–]davelog 1 point2 points ago

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As valuable as designated drivers. Good thinking.

[–]IgnisAeternus 2 points3 points ago

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Hah, yeah that's about how it was for me. My friends and I didn't prepare before hand food-wise, and so decided to get some sandwiches at the store. I ended up running into like five people that I went to high school with, including the guy making my food. The guy was trying to have a "so what have you been up to since school?" conversation with me while I was seeing each slice of turkey he put on the bread turn into some bizarre, liquid turkey-metal (think T-1000 style). Then one of my friends decided to grab one of the free samples nearby and he ended up knocking over the entire stand, spilling cheese or cookies or whatever the hell everywhere into an expanding explosion of food and unwanted, terrifying attention.

From that day on I vowed to avoid public places at all costs when I've got kaleidoscope vision. I still shudder at the memory.

[–]schiffty1 1 point2 points ago

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Toys-R-Us isn't recommended either. All the dolls are fat and stare at you.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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Or on an airplane

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]riddley 110 points111 points ago

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Sounds like your commitment to sobriety is rock solid.

[–][deleted] 30 points31 points ago

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Sounds like you have never taken acid.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]planet_rob 23 points24 points ago

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Snooch! A word of advice from someone who doesn't drink anymore. Don't let this thing of "not drinking" become an addiction of sorts. That can easily happen, at least from my experience. I went 6 years without drinking and it was the worst 6 years of my life. Between year 6 and now (which is year 9) I drank for a month. I then decided that I could drink if I wanted to. That allowed me to shed the whole "alcoholic who CANT drink" syndrome. After that, I simply chose NOT to drink. It's a lot easier when you choose not to drink than it is to be told you CAN'T drink. Choosing takes all the pressure and stress away....at least for me.

I'm now finally content and happy that I don't drink. I don't have to look for ways to make up for any fun I had while drinking, I just naturally have fun when I find it.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]skyqween 1 point2 points ago

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Just cause you don't drink doesn't mean you can't go to the parties. I don't drink, but that just means I go, take pictures, get to remember the night, and occasionally keep people out of serious trouble.

[–]BuddyJ 9 points10 points ago

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I find drunk people annoying when I'm not drunk as well, I'm sure the OP has a similar issue.

[–]PamGrier 2 points3 points ago

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I had a excellent psychopathology professor who once told us--regarding this type of all-or-nothing thinking about substances--"Fear has a short half-life". Abstinence only works when it's on your own terms.

[–]notreallyme321 9 points10 points ago

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Agreed. I quit drinking almost a year ago after many failed attempts to get my everyday habit down to a more reasonable level. I decided I didn't have it in me to drink in moderation and had to quit completely. I also had to quit pot as I used it habitually. if it was around, I was going to smoke it. I just lack the ability to moderate things like that.

I've done LSD several times. Once before I quit drinking, and a few after. I also agree that is is a life changing experience, every time. Acid is just different from alcohol and other drugs. Aside from the fact I have to plan out ahead of time when I'm going to take it (8-10 hours of being out of your mind takes a commitment), but I've had it around for months at a time without taking it.

I generally agree that if you have an addictive personality you should stay away from alcohol and most drugs, but acid is the one exception I would make. I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but it has certainly been my experience.

[–]zayats 3 points4 points ago

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That never really works. When you start tripping they just stare and ask who brought the weirdo.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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I can't tell if you're kidding or not but i'll respond seriously anyway :) I used to trip a lot and felt high and mighty like everyone else was a sheep and a peasant. Then I realized tripping made me the peasant because it's not a very social drug and everyone looks down on you for doing it. I'm not being an asshole but it doesn't make you better than someone else because you chose to take a drug that other people aren't taking.

[–]emanking 2 points3 points ago

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It actually does make you better in the sense that you are doing a better job at protecting your body.

[–]kilokhan 1 point2 points ago

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Those must be really weak hits if you can take six to eight and still manage to go to a bar in public while keeping your composure. To me, that just sounds like irresponsible use and asking for trouble. LSD is powerful stuff. Even if you plan set and setting, have the right mindset, and are an experienced psychonaut, something could still go wrong. I believe I tripped on LSD several dozen times and each time was wonderful...until one day when I totally lost it out of nowhere while tripping in public; I am damned lucky that I do not have a police record from that.

Don't become too comfortable with psychedelics and forget how powerful they are. I've seen this happen to too many people. I never thought that anything bad would happen to me during a trip because I was so experienced with not only LSD, but many other tryptamines and phenethylamines, and had been through some tough trips and survived them. These days I stick to low doses once or twice a year and play it extra, extra safe.

I can see being on a very low dose and going out in public, even to bars, but if I ever took six to eight hits of the stuff that I have available I would be asking for a potential disaster. Be safe :) I want you and everyone who wants to do it to enjoy tripping, not to live through the absolute terror that I did that one time. :)

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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This sounds.. horrible. LSD would just make you wonder why everyone is looking at you and why they're being all retarded..

This would be a bad trip. LSD makes you think you understand the world, but with drunks... there is no understanding.. so you'd just be creeped the fuck out.

[–]Malignant_Narcissist 1 point2 points ago

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Damn dude, I thought I was the only person who still practiced this... We should hang out :)

[–]wcc445 1 point2 points ago

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I love you, reddit. I clicked on this thread in order to respond "acid", and what do I see right at the top...

[–]tripleduece249 16 points17 points ago

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Start working out. Not only is it an investment in yourself but it helps you stay on the wagon. If you have an addictive personality, like myself, it will carry over into your training. If you have never been the type of person to work out then it might take a solid month before you get addicted. The last thing I want to do when I'm trying to make progress at the gym is get wasted. It kills your recovery time and you also won't be in the mood to go to the gym if your hungover, which will eat at you when your used to consistently hitting the gym or whatever you decide to do.

[–]laffmakr 42 points43 points ago

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You're still allowed at your friends keggers. And you'd be amazed at what you'll see and learn when you're the sober one.

[–]BlunderLikeARicochet 28 points29 points ago

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Sure. You'll learn that it helps to have the mentality of a 5-year-old to enjoy a kegger. You'll also learn that mass quantities of alcohol tend to make people behave like 5-year-olds.

[–]Frankeh 74 points75 points ago

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I hate being sober around drunk people, but my god I love being drunk around other drunk people.

You say "behave like 5 year olds" as if that's a bad thing. Do you even remember what it was like to be 5 years old?

I used to amuse myself for hours when I was 5. No one around, just me and the world.

Ignorance really is bliss, and I just wish alcohol really did revert me back to my 5 year old self. I'd probably become an alcoholic..

[–]Brad777 7 points8 points ago

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I like being sober around drunk people. It's really fun to mess with them. It's like trolling the internets but your victim is too drunk to realize they are being trolled and they are open to ridiculous ideas.

[–]databank01 10 points11 points ago

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It is not inconsonance that is bliss, but learning and discovery.

[–]Irahi 5 points6 points ago

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I read that as "It is not incontinence that is bliss..."

and thought to myself, "no shit!"

[–]simultaneous_contras 1 point2 points ago

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Well put.

[–]papermountain 10 points11 points ago

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You sound like a pretty fun dude.

[–]philosarapter 2 points3 points ago

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The secret to fun is getting in touch with your inner child.

[–]GunnerMcGrath 2 points3 points ago

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I was going to say the same, except for a) being sober around drunk people is usually more annoying than anything, and b) a guy who is trying to stay sober probably shouldn't put himself into such tempting territory.

[–]Zigguraticus 2 points3 points ago

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I would caveat this by saying that you should bring something to drink (e.g. some pop, water, juice, etc). When I didn't drink I found it really awkward when I was the only one not holding a beverage and holding one just made it easier to blend in and have a good time.

[–]laffmakr 1 point2 points ago

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Good idea. I once worked for a man who didn't drink. But at mixers and cocktail parties he always got a Coke in a highball glass so it looked like he did.

[–]trenty_ 25 points26 points ago

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Learn to cook and enjoy cooking. Host or go to dinner parties, with everyone in the kitchen cooking, and make mocktails :)

I have no idea how old you are, this may not seem fun for you.

(That said, I'm only 21 and have settled into the dinner party lifestyle quite nicely...)

[–]Cakez0r 16 points17 points ago

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I'm 21 too and I couldn't imagine me hosting or attending any sort of serious dinner party :/

[–]skinnersbane 1 point2 points ago

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I have had some long no-drinking bouts in my life (and for the most part don't drink too much anymore, that was the whole point). I fucking live for mocktails

[–]OffBeatBiologist 29 points30 points ago

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What you really have to do if you want to stay committed to not drinking is surround yourself with other light to non drinkers. That's when you start to turn up entertaining and gratifying social activities. Here is a run-down of how my weekend went...

Friday Night - Met for a small party of about ten people at my friend's place where we made crepes, roasted corn grits and generally socialized 'til about 4 am.

Saturday - That morning, made homemade buttermilk waffles and fried chicken for breakfast with my bro. Went out and played skeeball with some friends, then grilled burgers and watched a film.

Sunday - Ran a mile, swam laps for 30 minutes, went out to a rural flea market and took pictures of random jank. Met up with a friend after he finished up a 30 mile bike ride in the country and did a little grocery shopping. Made fresh popcorn with one of these beasts and watched Army of Darkness. Then made homemade panini and crashed on the couch watching Coffee and Cigarettes.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points ago

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excellent example of socialization without drunkenness.

[–]reodd 4 points5 points ago

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Upvoted for chicken & waffles. You win at breakfast.

[–]jumpingjacksforlife 8 points9 points ago

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If I were you, I'd get an account at ask.metafilter.com and ask the same question but include your location. You'll probably find some cool people to hang out with pretty quickly.

The cool thing about sobriety I find is that it keeps giving rewards long after you stop drinking. You're doing awesome.

[–]smithygreg 7 points8 points ago

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I replaced drinking with rock climbing..It's way more fun.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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And just as addictive.

[–]epicgeek 17 points18 points ago

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Most weekends I'm sitting at home playing video games and surfing the internet.

I don't actually see a problem with this.

I used to look forward to huge keggers, house parties where everyone had money to throw in for beer, and other assorted drunken shenanigans. I don't really look forward to anything any more.

Do you not hang out with your friends anymore? Giving up alcohol shouldn't mean you have no one to hang out with.

[–]aaomalley 32 points33 points ago

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If his firneds are heavy drinkers, yes giving up alcohol means giving them up as well. One of the key tenants to alcoholism recovery is that you have to change your social structure and get away from those that influence you to drink. Most heavy drinkers don't like sober people being around because it reflects poorly on them and they have to think about whether they are an alcoholic as well. This leads to the drinkers either trying to get the sober person to drink, or ignoring them completely until they go away.

[–]rthrtyhtf 2 points3 points ago

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speaks the truth

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]GunnerMcGrath 10 points11 points ago

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Dude, I know EXACTLY how you feel, except that I've never drank. One new years eve I asked why it was that everyone always had to drink, because we weren't even doing anything interesting, just all sitting around having conversation and despite a couple of really drunk people, it was GOOD conversation! I was having a good time, but all they kept talking about was getting drunker so they could be less coherent.

One caveat to that is that people always seem perfectly content to have long conversations around a dinner table. Get everyone out to a diner around a big table and you can be there half the night, just talking, not drinking. I don't know what it is about eating or drinking that makes talking more comfortable.. but try going out to dinner with your friends.. they might have a couple drinks but they're probably not going to get wasted at a restaurant.

Also, you've been a drinker, so you know better than I do what it is they find so exciting about being drunk. Maybe that will help you somehow, I dunno.

In any case, eventually I realized something similar.. even though I did have something in common with my friends (we were all in punk bands), you find that just because you enjoy someone's company doesn't always mean you are passionate about the same things. I eventually got really tired of talking about music because it was always the same conversations. Sometimes making new friends is exciting because you've both got a lifetime's worth of stories the other guy has never heard.

But yes, the hard truth is that when you quit drinking, you are going to grow apart from your friends for whom drinking is their primary interest. I saw my wife go through this, and over the course of a few months, she stopped talking to most of her friends altogether. It took some time but now she's found new friends, some of whom might have a beer or two at dinner but it's ancillary to their time together, not the focus of it.

[–]epicgeek 1 point2 points ago

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I do hang out with my friends, but in sobriety, I've come to realize how little we really have in common.

That's the key right there. You need to meet some new people. I don't mean get rid of your old friends, but you need to make some new friends who you have a bit more in common with.

Now, I'm not a very social guy so I can't give you many pointers on how to do that, but the general consensus seems to be that joining a club is a good way.

There are clubs and groups for virtually all outdoor activities.

I'm 20 years old

I'd like to mention that around that age people go through a lot of social changes. From 19-22 me and a lot of my high school friends drifted apart and I made a lot of new friends at college (and kept a few of the older friends).

You're still young, life is going to change a lot from now until you graduate from college and get a job. Don't worry too much : )

[–]The3rdWorld 2 points3 points ago

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shame there isn't a club for people who think clubs are stupid.

[–]Scyth3 6 points7 points ago* 

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Well, I bought a house last year and now the weekends aren't long enough. I get absorbed in maintaining my lawn (now have a decent rivalry spun up with the neighbors), repairing random things, tiling, and in general improving it. It's like my own personal never ending honey-do list.

As far as what I do while I'm not doing handy work, I'll typically exercise. Go to a park and go mountain biking with my brother, go for a 4-5mi run, etc. Last weekend had some friends over and went skydiving, grilled afterwards, etc. I'm also on a local adult soccer team, which is an excellent way of meeting new friends and getting fit at the same time.

In general, do things you'll never get to do when you have children and a wife. Luckily my wife and I have no problems being independent. I'll code an app for my phone, she'll watch her anime or continue writing her book, etc.

[–]MrLister 4 points5 points ago

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Raucous sex with my girlfriend all night long... and remembering it the next day. (bonus, you don't smell like stale beer & puke!)

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]MrLister 9 points10 points ago

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Wait, did you say tongue and lower lip? You must've been really really drunk dude, it's my dog that does that trick.

[–]A_Puppet_Named_Sock- 1 point2 points ago

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Amazing what you can teach a dog to do with a little bit of peanut butter.

[–]Cakez0r 31 points32 points ago

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I'm detecting great levels of holier-than-thou in some of the replies here >_>

[–][deleted] 21 points22 points ago

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Same here. I had to take a drink to take the edge off of some of the comments.

[–]ThrashIt 3 points4 points ago

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So you broke edge?

[–]quasarj 4 points5 points ago

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Well, if drunks didn't rule the world, we wouldn't be as pissed off about it.

[–]Messiah 9 points10 points ago

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Coke and hookers

[–]famebrella 56 points57 points ago

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Everyone of these activities sounds better with booze.

[–][deleted] 45 points46 points ago

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Congratulations! You're an alcoholic!

[–]Tface 1 point2 points ago

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Poker weekend with the guys.

[–]Skanker 3 points4 points ago

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Relaxing and getting some sleep after a week of work :)

[–]buzzdoit 2 points3 points ago

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Fortunately, as you get older, socialization solely for the purpose of drinking becomes less prevalent. Being a 30 year old at a kegger is kinda lame.

In the meantime, start going to AA meetings and find a group of people to socialize with that don't drink. My dad's been in AA for 20 years and he thinks that's one of the biggest benefits. You end up making friends and hanging out with other people that don't drink, so you're less tempted. Apparently, it's also a giant dating pool.

[–]Blood_Orange 5 points6 points ago

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I used to drink a lot in college, but not so much anymore. Not that I don't enjoy it, but the hangovers were becoming an impediment at work and on weekend mornings. There are may other things you can do:

  • Hang out with people who are drinking, but don't drink. This is particularly easy in situations were drinking is not the main activity (bowling, ice skating, chilling in a park).

  • Find something you enjoy, and do it in the company of others. You know all the money you're saving by not spending $20 on three drinks at a bar? Spend it on language lessons, scuba diving, woodworking, jewelry making. There are many people who are interested in these activities. When you find them, dont' be afraid to make friends.

  • Learn how to cook. It is a very enjoyable, essential life skill.

  • Work at a local non-profit, part time. Great way to meet people, feel good about yourself amd add some meat to your resume.

  • Exercise (sorry, this should have been #1). While your buddies are gaining weight and looking sallow because of the dehydration and additional calories in alcohol, you are putting effort into looking and feeling good.

I do almost all of these things (aside from the non-profit) and frankly, my life is much more fulfilling, healthier and happier as a result. Congrats on the life change!

[–]yourname146 4 points5 points ago

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People drink while ice skating?? Where do I sign up for THAT impending blood-bath?!

[–]Lachtan 3 points4 points ago

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I'm drug free since 18, that's 4 years now and many things changed since then. At the beginning I was going to partys just like everyone else, I did all the crap like everyone else but I didn't need to be drunk to enjoy it.(lol)

Now things are different, people changed, I changed and started to see stuff other way. I fucking hate spending my nights in pubs and other public places that are dedicated for smokers(99.99% in my country) so this made situation a bit difficult.

I do lot of sports so I try to spend my time with my regular friends outside, having some rad bike trip, jumping dirts, riding skateboards, you know what's the best for you. The evenings are worse, when everyone gathers and go get drunk'd. That's fucking silly to me.

Try to stay around non drinkers and have pizza party or whatever you like. Invite some ppl in and you can have a great chat or you can play video games together, watch some movies etc... I'm also used to hang out with girls because fucking>drinking but I'm not feeling bad spending my night being creative all alone(photoshop, 3ds max is my choice)

[–]fernicus 4 points5 points ago

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I've never drank and can tell that sometimes you do feel like your social life is stagnate. But you just have to replace drinking with physical or intellectual hobbies.

I'm female so I craft and have made friends with other girls who craft. I also love to go yard sailing, flea marketing. That's definitely a weekend activity. Again made friends with the same interests.

I'm also a runner and cycler. So throwing yourself into a physical hobby of some sort is healthy and satisfying. You can do both in groups with people.

Added bonus, the types that do that a lot don't drink for the same reason they run, to be healthy. And I'm assuming you're male, you'll probably meet some hot girls.

Nights I go to movies, eat good food, see good bands. You don't have to drink to have a good time at a show if the music is good. Scan your paper for local events, festivals, etc.

[–]quasarj 1 point2 points ago

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Where do I meet non-drinking women? I thought they were a myth! :O

[–]punzada 6 points7 points ago

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I'm 24 years old (today actually, 24 on the 24th, yay me!) and have been going through a similar situation as OP. I decided I was absolutely sick and overall bored with how my life had been going and on Oct 23rd 2009 decided to change all of it. I didn't have a drivers license, smoked weed multiple times a week if not daily and was drunk whenever I could be, was always fat but reached a fairly shocking 300 lbs and never had a stable/real job besides occasional computer support and selling weed - this has basically been my existence since being a freshmen in high school (not even considering the much harsher drugs I abused while in high school and while attending college).

As of November I got my license, by the first week in December I'd landed a job at a small business doing what I love (I'm an IT monkey - but I love it), I have not smoked weed since October 23rd, I have had a few drinks but not to excess, I started weight watchers online for men on March 3rd (honestly for anyone needing help with starting out and figuring out the right way to eat - it's a great resource) and going to the gym at least three, usually four days a week. As of yesterday I have lost 46lbs and feel better then I have in many years.

...and yet despite all that positivity in my life right now - I'm bored. I have defined so much of my life by the substances I took that I lack any real passion outside of ones that are not very social (video gaming, computers, reading non-fiction technology blogs/articles.) I love working out now but activities like hiking or biking don't really interest me. I'm also fairly lonely - had a very unhealthy relationship that ended when I was 21 (and lingered and still caused issues until I turned 23) that I've fully put behind me and would love to just share my positivity with someone. I'm trying - a co-worker recently had success with finding someone online and used match.com and she is very happy right now - I've signed up for okcupid to give it a shot just a few days ago, I'll consider match maybe when I reach closer to my goal weight (closer to 80ish more pounds to lose.)

It's not even about just meeting women at this point but making new friends which is tough. You know how much I would love to just meet up with a bunch of guys and LAN party or something? (Hell even my local Linux User Group meetups are at a day/time when I have to work) or as a group go to the movies? My friends all just want to get stoned and watch family guy - or use that as pre-game before going to the bar. I feel fairly lost and still missing a large chunk of achieving real happiness despite my hard work and success as of late - it's not going to stop me or hinder my goals but would love to just be able to enjoy myself and life a little more with similarly motivated people with at least some similar interests.

[sorry for the rant - slow time at work and this topic motivated me to write a bit]

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]punzada 1 point2 points ago

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Wow I didn't even realize it was the same time frame - that's fairly freaky.

I'm staying positive, but sitting bored on certain saturday nights makes my mind wander if it's all for naught.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, I've actually gotten quite a bit of well wishes today from friends that I wasn't expecting to hear from - been nice at work.

[–]quasarj 2 points3 points ago

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Well, I feel you for part of it. I've never drank, but man I wish I could just find some cool people around! Computer stuff, LUGs, LAN parties, anything! But all anyone wants to do is drink, And heck, I don't even know what a kegger is like. I'm just around older people who want to go "have a cold one" after work. What a load of crap. Anyway, good luck to you!

[–]Tobakstugga 1 point2 points ago

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Stick to your plan and you will harvest a better life and happiness. Good job so far. My advice is set a realistic goal for your body comfort zone and on your way to reach it you will gain increased confidence and good friends might be sitting in front of you every day but you (I) are to busy trying to get the old friends to fit in to realize that there are good persons that better match your personality now than your old friends from school or whatever. People change, you might need a friend upgrade, look around you, that's what I am going to do. Good rant btw. made me think.

[–]silentpower 6 points7 points ago

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gaming, reading, hiking, cuddling with my better half, Drawing, painting, digital sculpting. If you really want to go out go to your local comic/gaming store. Most gaming shops, not video gaming at least not places like gamestop, have tables and people running games.

[–]Zalenka 8 points9 points ago

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Check http://boardgamegeek.com for cool board games.

I recommend:

Settlers of Catan (the gateway game)

Dominion

San Juan

Turn & Taxis

[–]zelden 2 points3 points ago

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For board game folk, one game that should not be overlooked: Carcassonne. Perhaps one of the best games ever.

[–]Zalenka 1 point2 points ago

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Yes, very good game. I have played many a game myself. A bit long.

[–]TheJeffa 2 points3 points ago

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Agricola. Basically a farmville board game from Germany. Hours of fun with friends.

[–]Zalenka 2 points3 points ago

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Yes, I've got that one. It is super easy and quick to just start play if 1/2 or more of the players already know how to play.

[–]TheJeffa 1 point2 points ago

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people go apeshit over that game. There are websites dedicated to the Fimo pigs and cows people make to play with. Shit's nuts.

[–]silverstrike 1 point2 points ago

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Upvote for Dominion. Excellent game.

[–]LuckyCookie 1 point2 points ago

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Upvote for Settlers. My friends and I meet regularly to play.

[–]Explicit_Content 2 points3 points ago

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Get a bunch of friends and ROCK BAND. Or, tabletop gaming, whichever interests you more. I've done both in one night. It was a ca-raaaazy night.

All sarcasm aside, it's not as exciting or mind blowing as house parties, but it's still amazing fun in the right company.

[–]MashedPeas 2 points3 points ago

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Waking up early for a long pleasant day without a hangover.

[–]Fratm 2 points3 points ago

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A good weekend for me is Maybe a movie Friday night, Dinner.. come home, relax, get up fairly early Saturday, walk the dogs.. Breakfast and then either a nice hike or a bike ride, come home relax a bit eat dinner.. watch a DVD while snuggling with the wife and a cat :) My wife gets every other weekend off, so this is very typical when we have the weekends together.

Edit : Stopped drinking 2 years ago, stopped smoking the green about 8 years ago. Never regretted either decision.

[–]vietbond 2 points3 points ago

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Friday night get off work: Go to the dollar theater with my wife and daughter. We'll watch some movie or another that has been out of the theater for 2 months or so. It's very rare that we watch a movie that I don't enjoy, whether it be because I'm transfixed by the movie, or napping blissfully in my seat.

Saturday, I work during the day, but in the afternoon, I love taking my girls up to a trail head in the L.A. Mountains and take a nice hike. If we pack a picnic, we'll find a nice clearing to have lunch. Then we'll go to a bookstore (Borders or the like), and gather a bunch of books/magazines that we wanna read for awhile. We'll sit in the cafe and drink some tea or chocolate and read our own individual things. It's awesome to see how different we are in terms of our selected reading, but how similar we are in our enjoyment of each others company and reading together. Sometimes, my daughter and I will read Calvin and Hobbes together and we'll point out the especially brilliant ones to my wife. After we go home, we might put some music on the computer and cook up something delicious, or we might go out to eat somewhere new. After the young lady has gone to bed, mommy and daddy like to have some midnight alone time...a quiet shower together...some delicious love making to some Mt. Eden Dubstep...

The next morning, if we wake up on time, we'll make some breakfast...pancakes with strawberries and real syrup, then get to church. We might take care of our weekly groceries and meet up with some friends or family for dinner, or we might laze the day away by the pool.

Might sound boring to some, but it's my idea of perfection!

[–]abortion_soup 4 points5 points ago

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I drink a lot, but I have periods of time, ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months, during which I don't drink. I just go out, play basketball a lot, go to grill parties (though I admit I enjoy a beer with my meat, but I don't even get tipsy), enjoy really long walks, go urban exploring or go hitch-hiking. Take 50 dollars and a friend and go hitchhiking, try to get as far as you can get before you have to go home.

Life is so rich and full. I love alcohol and I love weed, but life itself is the best substance. Enjoy everything

[–]nooka 4 points5 points ago

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I'm not opposed to drinking or whatever, I just don't like it. I think it's a horrible waste of money for me to go out and drink alcohol that I don't think tastes good and only makes me feel dizzy and sick, gives me loads of extra calories, and is way too expensive in general. Why spend all of that money on something that'll just make me feel like shit the next day when I can purchase copious amounts of drugs that WON'T make me feel hungover? I'm a college girl that smokes weed every day, so my idea of a great weekend is one that I'm not overwhelmed by schoolwork, where I can just get high, walk around in my underwear in my apartment, and watch cartoons. (That's if I'm feeling lazy.) If I feel like going out, I love exploring new places with my friends, going to Burner parties and performing as a hoop dancer, cooking a delicious meal from scratch, and taking a walk outside or doing some knitting or artwork.

Edit: Tripping balls on acid is wonderful, too!

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points ago

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Weed.

[–]A_for_Anonymous 10 points11 points ago

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Your social life is stagnated because you attempt to be social as the usual social monkey is. In this society, it appears the only way to have fun is to poison your brain and move like a monkey while laughing at anything stupid. But you can do better. In fact, you've said it yourself:

there's a whole world out there waiting for me

Go to forests, camp, ride a bike, observe, connect with nature. Help animals in animal rights organizations, or the whole world in environmental organizations. Find more people like you, people who use their brains for more than just poison. Perhaps travel around the world, see other cultures for yourself. There are many things to do, most of which don't require you to drink, most of which require you not to drink. And of course, you can have sex without worrying for the impotence problems sometimes associated with alcohol consumption.

[–]Frankeh 12 points13 points ago

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Sometimes it's just nice to consume something that makes you temporarily stupid.

It's actually pretty fun not worrying about anything and laughing at stupid shit.

[–]Jaraxo 1 point2 points ago

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Well, you can always go out with your mats who are drinking, it's not as bad as it sounds. I've done this a few times, and it's hilarious to watch the shit your mates get upto when drunk.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]Zalenka 1 point2 points ago

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Board games (try Dominion), playing music, gardening, long hikes(went on a local trail to a lookout yesterday ~6 miles total). My wife and I cleaned and got rid of stuff, that felt pretty good too.

[–]troglodyte 1 point2 points ago

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I don't really drink (I'm utterly neurotic about food and drink; I basically live on grains/dairy/fruit), and I've found that one thing I have going for me is that I'm enough of an extrovert that the "liquid confidence" isn't really necessary for me when I'm at a party or a bar. That doesn't sound like a solution for you, though-- it seems like you're trying to stay sober because of a past with alcohol? Sorry if that's incorrect.

Anyway, even if I enjoy partying, that's not what I love doing. The ideal weekend? Skiing. A lot of it. Water skiing or alpine skiing; I'm easy. Mostly, though, I like getting out and doing things. I rock climb a lot, and that's a good weekend too. Pretty much anything where I'm doing something is ideal-- and motivation isn't always easy. Even if I know I'll enjoy something, sometimes I'm just lazy. Even if you don't really want to get off your ass, do it anyway. You'll probably have a good time.

[–]ClownBaby90 1 point2 points ago

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play an instrument? jam nights.

[–]HuevoSplash 1 point2 points ago

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Blow shit up. Go out into the woods and horse around with friends. Cut loose in an environment in which all the people are already close and comfortable with each other, so there's no need for "social lubricant" in order to have shenanigans.

[–]little_z 1 point2 points ago

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Welcome to being sober. I've been doing it for years. The weekends seem boring, but that's because everyone you used to hang out with still get wasted every weekend. I recommend making new friends and picking up a cool hobby. Like Geocaching... or something.

[–]michaelbuddy 1 point2 points ago

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Part of not going to bars and parties apart from the drinking is they can be a huge pain in the ass. I consider it a thing of growing up to not go as often. Plus being more of a learner rahter than a brain cell killer.

My advice, find yourself a key drink you can have in hand, that's non-alcoholic. Always get a club soda or tea for example. It's nice to just have something to hold in your had and do when at a function. Even family parties, I almost always get a game of something going (pool or volleyball or play with nephews just) so I don't have to sit somewhere and distract myself.

[–]tubeguy 1 point2 points ago

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Perfect weekend is whatever I want to do, when I want to do it, because I'm no longer hung over and broke. Hit a meeting, take the mountain bike out, play with my computers, do some cooking, reading, napping, chores, maybe not in that order.

[–]WhatsUpWithTheKnicks 1 point2 points ago

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Barbecues with vegans type of people, they usually have decent non-alcoholic beverages. Real culture like going to a play, a concert, you know, high-brow stuff, it's enjoyable without getting drunk. On the other side of that coin: open-air dance festivals where you take real drugs. Helping local groups out: sports groups, activists, artists, boy-scouts. You get to know them because you "work" together, normally there is some type of socialising involved.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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GETTING SMASHED

on leomonade and peant butter and jellies.

[–][deleted] ago

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[–]Frankfusion 1 point2 points ago

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Good for you man. Part of it is learning new habits i. e. what life was like without booze. The other part is having friends who understand where you are at, and who are able to be your friends without having to involve booze. Hopefully you made it this long because you have some of them around. If not, time to make new friends. As Ann Landers has said, good people are found where good people meet. Here's a list:

Libraries Bookstores Coffee Shops Church Comic Shops Music Stores Museums Parks Dog Parks ( I hear this is a great place to meet potential dates if you are looking)

The key is: GET OUT! Look at your local paper and take a look at what events are going on around you, and get out and explore the world. You just might make some friends along the way. My prayers are with you.

[–]haykuro 1 point2 points ago

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Geocaching!

Pick up the habit. It's a lot of fun, you get to go sight seeing, and depending on the type of friends you have you can all go together! :)

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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I drink, but I don't think that's the only way to have fun on the weekends. There's plenty you can do.

Pick up a new athletic hobby, like bike riding. You'll be so tired from doing all your new "healthy" activities, that over time you'll probably be in bed early and not even care.

You can also go to a cafe and read or write, and every time you go, try a new drink. Find out what museums are in your area. I know it's corny but you can learn a lot. You can have friends over for board game night, and if they want to drink, drink seltzer with lemon. Learn how to do something new. Play chess. Take a class at a local college in something you've never heard about before. You'll meet new people, etc.

[–]Im_probably_drunk 1 point2 points ago

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Sorry... I had to troll...

[–]celticagent 1 point2 points ago

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Sleeping late (7 or 8 am), waking up without a hangover (feeling great), eating a leisurely breakfast with my family, going for a hike, eating delicious home-cooked food, getting together with friends in the afternoon to pick some tunes, eating a home-cooked barbecue dinner and watching a movie with my wife. Getting to bed at a reasonable hour.

[–]_Dr_Sheldon_Cooper 1 point2 points ago

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Well, Friday is Vintage Game night after I eat my Chinese dinner (like every Friday). Saturday is when I do my laundry, and Sunday I usually play paintball with my incompetent colleagues.

[–]ex_nihilo 1 point2 points ago

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Spark up a fat blunt or a well-packed bowl and...then pretty much whatever. Usually walk around town and chill drinking coffee and chatting with friends, people watching outside.

[–]paranoidom 1 point2 points ago

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Alcohol doesnt describe a fun weekend - i drink occasionally, never to get drunk (only been drunk twice and i dont care for it) . Biking is my release + its a good workout. I usually indulge in small projects...space them out over time. Fixing the car (small stuff - oil change, brakes, etc), bike maintenance, movies..camping is a lot of fun too.

[–]missmalibu 1 point2 points ago

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If you don't want to be around alcohol at all, there are other places you can go for night life. Billiard halls are fun if you like to play pool. Bowling alleys are fun if you like to bowl, even if it is just once in a while. Coffee houses are usually open late, and sometimes have live local music or improv comedy. All night diners are fun to go to with friends. If you like music, support your local music scene. Sure not every band is the greatest, but I soon found being into my local music scene so much more talent and variation than the radio broadcasts. If you have a local art gallery, they usually have shows where you can see/support your local artists.

[–]bongilante 1 point2 points ago

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getting stoned.

[–]felzix 1 point2 points ago

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I do drink but when I go out and do not drink I

play board games. Settlers of Catan and Arkham Horror are great. Especially Settlers. Usually the people I'm with are drinking but not getting drunk.

play DnD

cook, clean, and talk. Especially with my dad because he cooks excellent meals.

shop. I don't do this often but it's fun when I have a reason to.

[–]powdR 1 point2 points ago

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I'm mind reading you have internalized some sort of belief about the world so that you think you are "missing out" of something because of alcohol. Read the quit-smoking book from 1983 "Easyway" by Allen Carr, even if you don't smoke. It will blow your mind and de-brainwash many limiting internalizations.

You say you've got to get some hobbies, but you find yourself lacking in motivation. The word "Motivation" is a linguistic nominalization. I'm mind reading that what you experience is lack of energy. Focus on building energy itself. Focus on health. Do what gives you energy, avvoid what takes away your energy. Learn to listen to yourself. Get in and out of bed early, eat healthy, get out in nature, run, swim, whatever, just get outdoors. Healthy body - healthy mind. Health gives surplus energy and fills you with vibrant motivation. Do the things you know are right for you. With enough energy finding enough time to do all the fun stuff becomes the problem, not the other way around. Keep going man. Life is a miracle. Cherish and enjoy it.

[–]shim_sham 1 point2 points ago

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I swing dance. No exaggeration, it is the most fun thing I have ever done. Ever. And I used to drink, just for the comparison. Community, exercise, personal expression, the music's great...when traveling, you can go to a dance in a new city and suddenly have a room full of people who are offering to show you around town, seeing if you need a ride home, just being friendly and caring. There are local and international exchanges you can attend. Best thing in the world.

[–]Not_Reddit[!] 1 point2 points ago

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I help my friends get so drunk they pass out, I take them home, then I screw their wives and girlfriends. I really enjoy their drinking and don't miss my drinking at all. They give me a lot of credit for going out with them and having enough will power to not touch a drop of alcohol and staying on the wagon. They also thank me for volunteering to be the designated driver all the time.