When I was a child, I promised myself never to drink or smoke — not for religious reasons, but simply because I didn’t want to. Growing up, especially as a teenager, drinking and smoking were synonymous with being cool. At the few high school parties I attended, I would drink a litre of iced tea because I didn’t like the taste of alcohol. I remember seeing people getting heavily drunk and masking their shyness with an apple vodka cocktail. There’s no shame in that, but to me, it didn’t make them more open or laid back. Besides, as an extrovert, talking to strangers or dancing on an empty dance floor has never been an issue for me, even without alcohol. I remember people asking me, “Are you drunk?” when I wasn’t -– I was just happy to be there. Most of the time, people were either impressed or simply unbothered by my choice not to drink.
“Being sober comes with a lot of unexpected advantages”
I only started drinking when I moved to Ireland in September. I began to enjoy the taste of alcohol and the light buzz of being tipsy. That said, I still party sober most of the time. Being sober comes with a lot of unexpected advantages: if you’ve had a good night’s sleep before going out, you can last longer on the dance floor, since alcohol tends to make you tired. You see everything clearly and can express yourself without the weight of alcohol on your tongue. The next morning, you wake up without a hangover, smiling at the memories of the night before. Honestly, when a party is great, you don’t need a drop of alcohol to enjoy it. I remember having the best time at Tengu, completely sober, dancing to techno.
“Contrary to stereotypes, Ireland ranked 22nd in the European Union for alcohol consumption per person over 15 years old in 2020″
While my experience as a non-drinking student has been great, I know it may be different for others. Contrary to stereotypes, Ireland ranked 22nd in the European Union for alcohol consumption per person over 15 years old in 2020 (9.5 liters per year per person) — a drop of 2.1 liters compared to 2010. But for an introverted student, experiencing their first year of university while refusing the pints offered by your lads can be tough. Pre-drinks, where the goal is to get drunk, can feel like a nightmare. However, you can try impressing your friends with mocktails or take charge of the playlist. Don’t skip these gatherings out of fear of feeling left out — if you’re with great company, you’ll have a good craic anyway. Plus, you’ll be the only one sober enough to explain the rules of that tricky drinking game while sipping your pomegranate drink. To paraphrase Bob Dylan: It’s easy to feel like you’re not on the same page as everyone else, like something is happening but you don’t know what it is. If you are going through this, be advised that even drunk people don’t know what’s happening. They are probably more focused on how to talk to that one person without sounding absolutely bizarre or how to feel the music rather than you being sober. Many Trinity societies hosting late-night events serve alcohol, but non-alcoholic drinks can sometimes be overlooked. You can always ask in advance if they’ll provide any, or just bring your own. If you want to enjoy a night free of alcohol, you can head to the first floor of The Clockwork Door, 51 Wellington Quay, where they host a variety of alcohol-free events. For St. Patrick’s Day, you have plenty of options — you can cook Irish food, try non-alcoholic Irish-themed drinks, dance to Irish music, watch your favourite Irish movies, enjoy the St. Paddy’s Day parade, and more!
Lastly, whether you choose to drink or not, remember that the goal of a party is to have fun. If you’re a non drinker, don’t let that stop you from being carefree and making the most of the night!
