Here's my alcoholic resume:
- I swore I would never drink alcohol when I was younger
- I eventually gave up this tirade when I turned 17
- I don't regret not drinking until I was 17 (it gave me a great deal of perspective, and it's not as if I didn't have any fun)
- Equally, I don't regret starting drinking when I turned 17
- I have done stupid things when drunk. I have told a very close friend that I really didn't like him. I have ended up in the medical tent at a festival. I have all but ruined a friendship with a close friend by doing things that you don't do with friends (haha, I'm sure you can figure this out for yourself)
- I have also done brilliant things when drunk. Without alcohol, there are probably several of my closest friends who I wouldn't have met if it wasn't the cojones I gain whilst drinking. There are good risks that I wouldn't have taken otherwise.
- I have ruined live gigs because of the alcohol I drank (I can barely remember the gigs)
- My favourite, most memorable gigs, however, have been whilst I had just had quite a lot to drink
- I live in London. Drinking is expensive in London (unless you're at the unions. Hooray)
One thing I would say is that it depends on your personality. Although there are several (too many) times that I have had too much to drink, alcohol is always something I've been able to take or leave. I could go months without it and not feel much of an urge to have it. I guess I'm lucky, I don't have too much of an addictive personality. For other people, I guess drinking is a lot more dangerous.