Thread: I need drinking help

Originally Posted by Yog S'loth

-If the Kings win the cup, I will get drunk to celebrate. I'm saying it right here. Keep in mind, I've never had alcohol in my life, so half a bottle of cough syrup ought to do the trick... but I'm going to break the oath like King f'n Diamond and get plastered if the Kings win it all.

That was back in round two.

So, a little backstory: I have never had alcohol. No major religious or policital reason; I just arrived at a decision when I was very young that alcohol wasn't going to lead anyplace I particularly wanted to go. I have a major fear of irrationality (unless it's completely comical, like reading the Devils board the last few days) and the thought of intoxication just wasn't something I was interested in. That and the fact that alcohol smells really, really bad has kept it out of my mouth all these years. Why anyone would want to drink grape juice mixed with fingernail polish remover is beyond my comprehension.

I've been offered, asked, and cajoled many many times over my life. Going to bars in college was great - all the free Coke I could drink! "When are you going to start drinking, man? When can I buy you one?" My answer, with a big smile, when the Kings win the cup. It was my way of saying "when Hell freezes over". It meant never. Over the years I've said this quite a few times, including on this board.

Well Hell just ****ing froze over and there are enough people that have heard me say this that I'm being held to it.

Don't think that I'm about to violate some major religous edict here; I'm not. It's not that kind of big deal. But I am going to hold to my word, as much as it threatenes to panic me.

I have had so many e-mails and texts of people offering this hooch or that booze or a shot of this or that... everyone wants me to drink their particular poison. I'm trying to figure out how to actually arrainge this. Since I have literally zero experience with alcohol, I need some advice.

-Isn't it bad news to mix different types of alcohol? Doesn't it make you sick? I don't know if I should take up these different offers or just find one thing to drink.

-To that effect - what does one drink when drinking for the first time? I think I will avoid beer because it smells so damn bad I don't think I could get it past my lips... wine? Rum? I've had butter rum life savers - those are pretty good... Peppermint Schnapps? Bartles & James? Blueberry Daquiri? At this point I'm just naming jokes from movies.

-Public or private? I'm inclined to try it in my own house in case I get sick or stupid, but I am being told that is unfair and inappropriate.

-I do not want a hangover. I have been told to alternate alcohol with drinks of water. I have no idea if this is BS. Does that work?

Any other advice appreciated. I've gotta do this before I lose my nerve.

Rum and cola. And yes, drinking lots of water does help.

Straight shots of tequila. Try it. Harmless.

I'd avoid caffeine, it is a diuretic which is the last thing you want. Dehydration is one of the main reasons for hangovers, as alcohol is itself a diuretic and the constricted capillaries resulting from dehydration is what is in large part responsible for hangovers. In short, I'd avoid rum and cokes, irish coffees or anything else with much caffeine; besides, rum and Coke is probably not a good beginner drink anyway from a taste point of view. If you never drank, I'd go with tropical, fruity drinks - pina coladas, mai tai's, frozen daquiris and the like. They don't taste like booze, they taste mostly like fruit juice. The sugar in these drinks really kills the taste of alcohol. Drink lots of liquids - water, gatorade. Be careful - tropical drinks often do really just taste like candy but can put you on your ass. Stick to one drink an hour if you can. Eat when you drink; the food will absorb the alcohol and release it into your bloodstream slowly. Whatever you do, do not drink for the first time on an empty stomach.

Definitely drink water, don't let your friends tell you you're not done, eating food helps

Personally if you're going to put yourself on exhibit make a time frame of for how long. Don't drink fast meaning no more than one shot/glass of wine/beer per hour. 2 drinks will likely get you a nice buzz but it will take 30-45 minutes before you're feeling it at minimum. If you've had 6 shots by then you're going to be FUBAR'd hardcore.

Also it really helps if you're big, I'm 6-1 and about 210 so I can drink more than a 4'-10 98lb'er

*Edit* Realized that came out sounding different than I meant it

Originally Posted by Yog S'loth

-Isn't it bad news to mix different types of alcohol? Doesn't it make you sick? I don't know if I should take up these different offers or just find one thing to drink.

Alcohol is alcohol, which drink you pour doesn't make a difference. However, clear drinks like vodka contain less other "stuff" (like herbs in Jägermeister). Let alone sugary drinks, which will totally mess you up if you have too much. From personal experience, if you stick to clear booze, it helps the next day. Also, try not to buy the super-cheap booze, they contain more fusel alcohol which will "attack" your body far more than the good stuff.

Originally Posted by Yog S'loth

-I do not want a hangover. I have been told to alternate alcohol with drinks of water. I have no idea if this is BS. Does that work?

It does. Lack of water in the system is the probably the main cause for hangovers. Try to alternate water with booze or just drink a glass of water every half hour. It also helps if you have a good greasy, fatty meal before you start drinking.

Yeah, mixing alcohols make you more drunk, so don't do mixed drinks. My opinion is to stay away from the sweet drinks. They taste better at first but the next morning you're going to have dry mouth and you'll feel like shaving your tongue with a razor.

I would say drink Vodka because it has no taste. Vodka and tonic.

But get the good stuff. When I mean good stuff, that doesn't mean Bacardi. Get Belvedere, Grey Goose, Crystal Head or Absolut at the very least. The cheap stuff tends to give you more hangovers.

Alcohol quickens the dehydration process, that's why you should drink lots of water (though I never do).

Pretty good advice above, but I think you would be best with simply a friend (or friends) who aren't a-holes ("no dude, you're totally good, just 3 more shots and you should be set. Trust me") who can give good advice on quantity and pacing based on how you are reacting. Nothing like an experienced and trusted trip sitter to get you through something new

As for hangover avoidance, as everyone has been saying: water. I also like Gatorade at the end of the night (the powder, not the premix). Don't actually know if it works any better than chugging water, but it at least helps me put down a good quantity of liquids after I've perhaps imbibed more than I should.