Why I don’t drink…

… And why I don’t judge other people who do.

I don’t drink. There are many reasons for this life choice, but I think it is the right one — for me at least.

Why not try some of Welch's sparkling juice or cider for that fancy occasion.

Naturally, because I don’t drink, I don’t go out to bars. Before I turned 21 in August, I was able to say, “I’m not 21,” as my excuse to not go out. I used it to reply to those friends that I didn’t want to explain why I didn’t drink — because if you are a college student, not drinking seems to be a preposterous idea. But now, at the age of (*tear I’m old) 21, I can and will firmly decline a drink without embarrassment or second thought.

However, I came to learn that not all college students should be clumped in that category of “college drunkards,” or “out for a good time.” In fact, many of the friends I’ve made throughout my college career do not drink, or do so only on the occasion.

That said, I still know quite a few people who enjoy their weekly routine of hitting up Waco’s (or in my hometown, Austin’s) finest bars and clubs routinely Thursday through Saturday. Am I judging them? Or do I look at them in a negative light? Of course not. Just as I expect do not do the same to me for not drinking.

Anyway, back to why I don’t drink. Religion is a factor — as a Muslim, consuming alcohol is strictly forbidden. However, I strongly believe that if my faith didn’t reprimand me from drinking, I would still hold true to my belief that drinking is pointless.

And, here’s why:

If you prefer the sparking wine over sparking non-alcoholic cider, you may end up like this at the end of the night…

For starters, I’ve often heard people say that beer is an acquired taste. That they have to drink it a number of times before they actually enjoy the taste of it. If beer makes one act stupid and tastes nasty in the first place, why bother? Shouldn’t the point of a drink be enjoying the way it makes your palate hunger for more?

Next, I don’t like the idea that a drink can alter my mindset,  judgment and actions — things I can’t undo if gone awry.

Finally, to reiterate, I just don’t see what benefits would get if I drank. There is too much than can go wrong to justify drinking. For example, getting tipsy and making a fool of myself in some bar dancing on the tables. Also, why would I conflict myself to being coming addicted to a substance that is prone to addiction? That is just asking for trouble.

Or, more importantly, the impaired judgment that makes me (if I were to drink) feel like I can get behind a wheel and drive just a few blocks home. It’s just reckless and irresponsible. Ruin your liver, make a fool of yourself, throw your life away to this addiction, but do not carelessly and stupidly endanger the lives of others.

That’s my two cents for why I do not drink. But here’s one last note.

...Or worse, you might jump behind the wheel thinking this looks normal!

I must stress to my friends out there that I do not judge others who drink. I, obviously, know people who drink and I have been around people while they are drinking, but do not judge them negatively. I have no desire to ever drink in my life time. It is an idea that has been firmly planted in my mind, but I freely welcome those who do, as long as they do it responsibly.

I do not think I am some “weird holy freak” for not drinking. Rather, I’ve made a rational, conscience decision to abstain from alcohol.

Let me know your thoughts on drinking, drunk driving and if  you judge people becasue they do or do not drink.