Getting drunk to meet new people.

[lars90]

Mods please move this thread to the best section

Well Im 16 years old and Im alloed to drink here... I am not really to popular be cause I am very shy when it comes to meating new people. Once Im drunk or just buzzed I have no problem to speaking to them.

So say , and this is a sirious question dont tell me not to do it or that is wrong I know that Im a teen and wee make stupid desissons, I would drink once or twice a week would it leave any long term brain damages ?

And Guys I really do aprishate your care Im talking about small doeses like 4 shots maybe. Like 4 swollows from corn or something else that has 40% just a little buzz is all. Its just for the beginning Im not planning on getting use to it its just until I know enough people. but thanks for all your careing love

 

[Pagey]

Doubt it. I mean lots of teenagers get wasted like once a week and I doubt you drink that much if it's only to make yourself more at ease.
However, do be careful about starting to rely entirely on alcohol in social situations...before you can't be in one without it.
It doesn't really sound like a long-term solution either. You should probably find a "real" way to deal with your shyness if it's that debilitating.

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

^A good point. Alcohol can be used responsibly (like any drug) but if you're only 16 and already using it to help you feel more comfortable in social situations I would be careful. Just watch how much you're drinking and try not to rely on it to help you through social situations.

Moderate alcohol usage, even in teenagers, is probably safe. By "moderate alcohol usage" I mean not binge drinking. However, teenagers tend to binge drink (not saying that you do - I'm just saying that's the trend). If you drink heavily (binge drinking), even if its just once or twice a week, you will have brain damage. You're 16, your brain is still developing - be careful when it comes to alcohol intake. Good luck

 

[kronedog]

Alcohol can be used responsibly (like any drug) but if you're only 16 and already using it to help you feel more comfortable in social situations I would be careful. Just watch how much you're drinking and try not to rely on it to help you through social situations.

I'm not going to tell you to not drink, because I do believe it can be quite helpful in social situations but only in moderate dosage. It's okay if you drink once or twice a week to get that buzz but like everyone else has said, don't get used to drinking to go out and socialize. It can easily lead down a not so great path. Lets say you start drinking to get your buzz on to socialize and it works. Then you might want to drink for other situations to make life a tad easier. Don't let that happen.

When I was your age, I used alcohol and numerous other drugs to "socialize" because I was extremely shy and probably boring. I remember my friends telling me about parties coming up on the weekends and whatnot and the first thing that would come to mind is "shit, I need something beforehand." It became a cycle. I got so used to it in fact that when I was sobered up in rehab I had to re-learn how to cope with different social situations because I ended up using to get by on everything. This is just my experience, but keep it in mind. Can happen to anyone. Good luck with your experiment, just don't over do it.

 

[Engage]

No, not at all.
Problem is...it's a crutch.
And , as so many of us did, when you 'come to' on the lawn, naked, with people taking pictures.
Or blackout and are regailed by the story of how you shook your junk is some poor girl's face as she sat of the couch...

Well, let's just say, (Golden Rule #1 of Drugs: 'Better a wallop too little than a tad too much')
Like anyone listens to that... just use the tool as it's mean to be used. Right tool, right job.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

I know what severe social anxiety is like. I need either a benzo, alcohol, or a stimulant(preferably) in order to hang out with anyone (anyone close to my age, anyway.) and be able to function, which is why I basically had no friends until 15-16, haha.

Sure, it isn't good for you, but I'd rather take the liver and/or heart problems and have friends than be healthy and lonely as hell.

 

[SteeleyJ]

I feel for you man, it's really hard when you're a teen to cope with. I used GABA receptor drugs ( alcohol / benzodiazepines etc etc ) and opioids to help make me more social and in the short run it did..... in the long run it almost took my life and led me to being almost reclusive except going to get whatever I needed to manage the now developing panic attacks. Alcohol is not the answer..... it's short acting and hard to predict. Also highly addictive and easy to fall into if you are an anxiety sufferer.

Have you tried seeing a doctor ? Perhaps the correct SSRI and a low dose benzodiazepine therapy could help you. I'm just trying to give you the advice i never had. Be safe, hope things look up brother.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

OP at your age drug use usually starts to become fairly prevalent and socially accepted.

I would not rely on alcohol save if you are at the occasional social gathering with friends who are doing the same.

Alcohol is an extremely dangerous drug that many are forced to rely upon their whole life.

Your brain is particularly susceptible to addiction.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

OP at your age drug use usually starts to become fairly prevalent and socially accepted.

I would not rely on alcohol save if you are at the occasional social gathering with friends who are doing the same.

Alcohol is an extremely dangerous drug that many are forced to rely upon their whole life.

Your brain is particularly susceptible to addiction.

What you're saying is true, but what about us people with severe enough social anxiety that we literally can't function around people? (only exceptions are people much older, much younger, and family)

I've tried SSRIs and CBT, neither helped. Tell me, would you rather go through life with a bad liver/alcohol addiction and friends, or be totally healthy yet alone and miserable?

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

I'd be surprised if someone turned to alcohol if benzodiazepines are available.

Regardless, the topic of this thread clearly has to due with a teenager's shyness, and how when he gets buzzed or drunk this seems to go away: no indication of clinical illness.

 

[jones-in_J]

Its a bad reason to drink man

I shoot heroin because i dont feel "normal" in my own skin and need to put something in my body to chamge the way i feel... and thats a problem

You may see the two as being so far apart from each other that you disregard this post. And ill admit theyre in a really different ballpark in most ways

But they are the same in that it leads to always needing something to feel that +1.... eventially youll think to yourself why shouldnt i feel this much better and more confident 5, 6 , 7 days of the week??

Its a slippery slope that if i could be your age again and not have to start off smoking weed all the time to deal with myself id do anything in the world to go back and ree-do it and learn to be happy and content with myself

Just some wise words from a 24 year old junkie who wants the best for you though man.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

I'd be surprised if someone turned to alcohol if benzodiazepines are available.

Regardless, the topic of this thread clearly has to due with a teenager's shyness, and how when he gets buzzed or drunk this seems to go away: no indication of clinical illness.

1. If benzos could be bought at a store legally I'm sure the alcohol companies would go bankrupt.
2. Even if he doesn't have social anxiety disorder, it's perfectly okay to use alcohol sometimes for the social boost. Most people who become addicted to alcohol are the ones that either have a gene polymorphism that makes it so that it's damn near impossible to stop drinking once you start, or the incredibly depressed people who drink to make life bearable. The former is why alcoholism runs in families. There's no reason to tell this 16 year old kid drinking alcohol in moderation isn't okay unless his parents and grandparents were hardcore alcoholics themselves.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

First of all benzodiazepines can be purchased over-the-counter in many countries with booming alcohol industries. So you're wrong.

You're referring to a non-issue in this thread.

People with legitimate anxiety disorders deserve benzodiazepines in my opinion; alcohol is an inferior choice due to its toxicity, multiple unhelpful mechanisms of action, and short duration of effect.

I will say this again: this thread is not about someone with a clinical anxiety disorder. This is about a kid who gets buzzed or drunk and finds it socially helpful.

State your opinion and don't infringe on mine.

I urge OP to use caution. Drinking once or twice a week at your age, even if you don't get drunk, probably is moderately unhealthy. You're demonstrating responsibility beyond your years by asking for a second opinion. Most kids would simply drink and not think twice.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

First of all benzodiazepines can be purchased over-the-counter in many countries with booming alcohol industries. So you're wrong.

You're referring to a non-issue in this thread.

People with legitimate anxiety disorders deserve benzodiazepines in my opinion; alcohol is an inferior choice due to its toxicity, multiple unhelpful mechanisms of action, and short duration of effect.

I will say this again: this thread is not about someone with a clinical anxiety disorder. This is about a kid who gets buzzed or drunk and finds it socially helpful.

State your opinion and don't infringe on mine.

I urge OP to use caution. Drinking once or twice a week at your age, even if you don't get drunk, probably is moderately unhealthy. You're demonstrating responsibility beyond your years by asking for a second opinion. Most kids would simply drink and not think twice.

I agree with your opinion on benzos, and I apologize, I thought you were telling OP to not drink at all. Of course he should use moderation, but telling someone to not drink at all is ridiculous in our society.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Mods please move this thread to the best section

Well Im 16 years old and Im alloed to drink here... I am not really to popular be cause I am very shy when it comes to meating new people. Once Im drunk or just buzzed I have no problem to speaking to them.

So say , and this is a sirious question dont tell me not to do it or that is wrong I know that Im a teen and wee make stupid desissons, I would drink once or twice a week would it leave any long term brain damages ?

Depends, how much alcohol are we talking about here? Drinking a lot can also damage your health in ways other than just brain damage. Are you making sure to stay well hydrated, well-nourished, get lots of vitamins, and keep your electrolytes balanced? Those things are very important if you are drinking heavily or frequently. I would also be concerned about addiction.

Tell me, would you rather go through life with a bad liver/alcohol addiction and friends, or be totally healthy yet alone and miserable?

It doesn't have to be a choice between those 2 scenarios. There are ways to deal with severe anxiety other than drinking (or taking benzos, opioids, etc). It can take a lot of effort and time, but IMO is well worth it. If I could go back in time I would have much rather started looking into therapy, natural/alternative medicine, self-help, etc, and even less harmful meds, at a young age than turning to drugs for years because I didn't realize or want to believe there were other options, and ending up doing all these things at 30 when it was much harder because I'd altered my brain from using drugs for so long (and made my symptoms - anxiety, depression, ADHD, pain, etc - worse, and wasted all that time I could have been working on improving them instead of just masking them).

 

[JackiesBabyy]

Depends, how much alcohol are we talking about here? Drinking a lot can also damage your health in ways other than just brain damage. Are you making sure to stay well hydrated, well-nourished, get lots of vitamins, and keep your electrolytes balanced? Those things are very important if you are drinking heavily or frequently. I would also be concerned about addiction.


It doesn't have to be a choice between those 2 scenarios. There are ways to deal with severe anxiety other than drinking (or taking benzos, opioids, etc). It can take a lot of effort and time, but IMO is well worth it. If I could go back in time I would have much rather started looking into therapy, natural/alternative medicine, self-help, etc, and even less harmful meds, at a young age than turning to drugs for years because I didn't realize or want to believe there were other options, and ending up doing all these things at 30 when it was much harder because I'd altered my brain from using drugs for so long (and made my symptoms - anxiety, depression, ADHD, pain, etc - worse, and wasted all that time I could have been working on improving them instead of just masking them).

Only thing I haven't tried is MAOIs, which, if anecdotal evidence is true, destroy even the worst cases of social anxiety. I've read tons of experiences and the only ones that weren't positive were the people who had to stop taking it due to unbearable side effects.

But alas, I take stimulants for ADHD and those can't be taken with MAOIs, and my ADHD messes up all areas of my life, while SA only messes up one. It sucks too, I'd be willing to take all of those horrid MAOI side effects and dietary restrictions with open arms if it helped my SA.

 

[Xenochrist]

Be careful, occasional use may turn into chronic, daily habitual use. Which can be scary when dealing with alcohol. I'm in that position at the moment.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Only thing I haven't tried is MAOIs

What about things other than drugs? I know it takes more time and effort, and motivation can be a huge hurdle when you have mental health issues, but a multi-pronged approach involving a number of non-pharmaceutical treatments (and changing one's thinking, etc) seems to help best for many people, including myself. It is hard work though.

 

[JackiesBabyy]

What about things other than drugs? I know it takes more time and effort, and motivation can be a huge hurdle when you have mental health issues, but a multi-pronged approach involving a number of non-pharmaceutical treatments (and changing one's thinking, etc) seems to help best for many people, including myself. It is hard work though.

I've tried CBT, a few times. It did nothing for me, sadly. I'm not saying CBT is entirely full of shit, it totally can be helpful for mild, possibly moderate cases of depression and anxiety, OCD, and things like anorexia, but it didn't help me, nor do I think it could help anyone with severe cases. (I'm guessing. I've never heard of it being effective for severe depression/anxiety on it's own.) Even my psychiatrist says MAOIs are most likely the only thing that'd help after trying so much, but he told me in order to take that I couldn't take stimulants.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

^I didn't find it that helpful either but I didn't really give it much time and it probably depends a lot on the practitioner as well. I find generally you have to try a bunch of different things and find a combination that works for you. And you have to stick at them as many don't show noticeable results immediately. I can tell you about the things that have helped me with anxiety, ADHD, & depression if you like. Didn't want to bother listing them if you aren't interested