A 'Fresher Perspective' blog: how alcohol affects some people's lives

This week has definitely been a good one.  I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face as I write this!

Let’s start with Monday, ok it wasn’t the most amazing night out, I think I enjoyed the bus ride there and back, singing old Motown songs, rather than the actual clubbing experience! 

This week we trekked to Kingston to a large well known club for a student night.  I think it might just be my personal preference but I found it too big and a little intimidating.  Also sometimes when a venue has a choice of too many rooms, I find myself constantly on the move rather than just adjusting to one and having a good night.

For the commute to the club, I remained sober, and it was quite funny watching the other two girls engage in drunk conversation that didn’t make much sense at the time but did on the way home!

I quite enjoy the mindless chit chat you get involved in when standing in the smoking area.  I don’t smoke but I must admit if you are a smoker it is a very social part of your night out, so I often loiter around the area. 

The drink gives me a boost of confidence and I enjoy making up stories. My latest one is that I am a professional piano player and that I recently played at the Royal Albert hall. I assumed no one would question this as not many young people tune in to a classical concert.  It’s just a bit of fun I guess?!

Even celeb’s do it, I was watching an interview with Rod Stewart who admitted to dressing up as a pilot and hanging around airports before finding fame, which is a much more extreme version of my light hearted lies!

To my delight this week I somehow miraculously landed myself a little voluntary work as a runner for a film crew.  Today was my first day and I had an amazing time and definitely hope to help out again. 

I’m also looking at a journalism course for next year in case I do decide to switch from art. It’s all quite light hearted at the moment but I want to keep my options open.

Today I also got into a discussion with a man who admitted to me that he was recovering from a drink problem.  I was keen to find out more as he described using alcohol as an escape from his own mind. 

He claimed that growing up in a culture where alcohol was a large part of masculinity in his town and being introduced to alcohol at such a young age slowly progressed into alcoholism. 

It was a real eye opener for me to have a deeper  understanding of the serious problems that can arise for those who find it difficult to control certain aspects of their lives.  However, the longer I spoke, the more I found it inspiring to know that he was so willing to stop.

I think for those who can control their alcohol intake and use it as a little confidence boost it’s fine, but today has definitely made me much more aware of the problems alcohol can easily bring some people.

Page last updated by

Root User, 19 Apr 2010.

Page checked on

27 Nov 2009

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