Why is drinking alcohol so popular?

I am the same as you, Elderly Person. Have never in my life understood the attraction of so many to alcohol not just because it tastes horrible, but because of all the associated dangers. There is a definite drinking culture in Britain that makes me feel ashamed. I hate the way youngsters are introduced to drink and boast about being bladdered. I think the rise and rise of coffee has been welcome for us non-drinkers, though in some places the cost of coffee is catching up with booze. Strangely, I had to be 'weaned' on to coffee when I was young as I thought that was horrible too, but my mother thought I ought to drink it! She took the 'pledge' at age 21 (a religious thing) never to drink. My brothers all drank quite a lot and unfortunately so do my sons. This is because of peer pressure and society's expectations. I too have been regarded as odd for not drinking, whereas my Moslem friend is never made to feel that way. I believe billions are spent by the NHS every year dealing with drink related illnesses. Personally, I would ban the demon because so many have no control. It's sad really. I hope what you say is true about a trend away from alcohol.

I didn’t drink alcohol for many years - during the menopause and later when on chemotherapy drugs. I now, at 70 enjoy a gin and tonic in the evening. Drinking to excess is not healthy and I’m aware that most of my friends drink in moderation or stick to soft drinks. Each to his/ her own I say.

I love it - £4.99's cheap!!
Each to their own.

I don't understand why alcohol is so popular either. It's an addictive drug. It affects the nervous system and alters people's behaviour. I don't understand why people seem to think they can't have a good time or relax without it. I'm not criticising anyone for enjoying a glass or two of wine or a gin and tonic. I just don't understand why it's so popular and I hate how it's often used as a loss leader in supermarkets. It's as if once it became unacceptable to push nicotine as the drug of choice the supermarkets and advertising industry began to present alcohol as the acceptable drug of choice instead. I don't see the need for any drug unless it's for medical purposes.

AGAA4

We all have different tastes. My question would be 'Why do people like alcohol so much?'
Some people may like coffee or tea but would they drink it until they made themselves ill? This is where alcohol is different to other likes and dislikes.

Yes, that would be a more interesting thread.

But on the other hand, I can't believe I've wasted nearly 10 minutes of my life trawling through this thread. Aaarrgh.

Yes, VampireQueen, it is an addictive drug. I have heard it referred to as such in school drugs awareness presentations.

I don't understand why:

a) Anyone anymore thinks not drinking alcohol is odd.
b) Why the assumption that it is "social pressure" that makes some of us enjoy a glass of something at home.
c) Why the idea that some of us like the depth of complex flavours and aromas (and so on) in the smell and taste of some of these beverages is not acknowledged by some (eg. OP).

All a mystery to me.

It’s the ‘too much’ alcohol that causes the problem.
I was told by my doc that my frequent headaches were possibly connected to my addiction to coffee and the problems experienced whilst moving to decaffeinated were dreadful.
Too much alcohol has a much worse immediate and long lasting impact than too much coffee, but it’s the same ‘too much’ that causes the problem.

I used to drink because I enjoyed a drink or two. Over the years I realised I drank because all my pals did, I didn't really like how I felt if I went over the top, so I gave up (probably 99.9%) about 20 years ago. The 0.1% is for the occasional sherry or advocaat at Christmas. I don't miss it at all. I do think, however, that a lot of women will have serious problems when they are older because most of them think a drink is wine in one of those large glasses which equals about three per bottle instead of the old size which were more like six per bottle.

BTW,
I also like other things some people don't like - olives, miso, drinks flavoured with bitter herbs such as wormwood, mushrooms, mangoes..
I don't see arguments about social pressure here?

I don't drink alcohol very often because it makes me sleepy and usually when I'm going out I have to drive too, though I enjoy a drink. I've recently started drinking alcohol free lager and like that almost as much as the real thing. My problem used to be struggling to find soft drinks that I like. The thing I can't understand is the popularity of CocaCola - disgusting concoction!

As a young adult I used to drink, though never much, but just because that was what people did. Then I thought "I don't like this! I'll stop!" and felt relief! Alcahol is a drug - and I don't want to stop others who drink in sensible amounts and enjoy it, but am very concerned by the damage caused to so many who drink too much. Like the OP I don't really 'get it'! I enjoy being with friends and family over a cup of tea!

I used to drink to excess until I read the book This Naked Mind. Gave up over night after 50 yrs drinking. I don't regret it and I loved the taste of cold white or rose wine in the summer and a heavy red in the winter. But I treat it as a friend I no longer speak to! I don't think young people today drink like I did as a teenager maybe they have more things to entertain themselves. I was sitting in a restaurant yesterday with my nearly 20yrs old grandson who was drinking Fanta as he says I don't get drink as do many of his friends. Looking at the tables around us all the youngsters were drinking small Italian beers or cola and they where all enjoying themselves. It's a choice and I'm happy to see less youngsters staggering around the streets but I do think a lot of older people do drink far too much and I used to be one of them!

I drank beer and wine for 30 years , addiction pure and simple.
Haven't touched it for 15 years and boy do I feel healthier and
more alive.

As a family we have gradually cut out alcohol. My son and daughter stopped once they had children. My husband has given up since first lockdown. I now have a glass or white wine or a gin and tonic once a week. Yes I still love it but its healthier to cut down.

I only ever had alcohol on a night out when younger, it helped me socialise. When I found myself alone with children in my thirties I couldn’t sleep. I had never been the only adult in a house before. So while shopping I bought myself a four pack of lager and would drink a can on the worst nights of insomnia. This escalated to three quarters of a bottle of vodka every night by the time I turned 40 and continued for years. Eventually I realised how much of a problem it was, and addressed it. It has never completely left me though and I still turn to it when something really stressful happens. So for me it’s self medication, nothing to do with how it tastes. Except for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, I adore the taste of dry white wine but this is my favourite, only ever drink it with a meal though.

NotSpaghetti

I don't understand why:

a) Anyone anymore thinks not drinking alcohol is odd.
b) Why the assumption that it is "social pressure" that makes some of us enjoy a glass of something at home.
c) Why the idea that some of us like the depth of complex flavours and aromas (and so on) in the smell and taste of some of these beverages is not acknowledged by some (eg. OP).

All a mystery to me.

Regarding c) in your post.

I am happy to acknowledge that. I had not heard of the reason about the complex flavours and aromas before before.

Thank you.

And that's not what happened to the other grandad at all.
Galaxy To which "other grandad" are you referring and what did happen to him?
The Grandad who comes to my mind is "Grandad1942", apparently no longer around.
If he wasn't hounded, well, I'd like to know your version!
OoRoo

A drug is any substance (other than food) that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Drugs can also affect how the brain and body work and cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings or behaviour.

So yes, by that definition, alcohol is a drug. I could paraphrase many of the comments on this thread by saying I can't understand why anyone enjoys smoking tobacco or marijuana, snorting cocaine, swallowing ecstasy, uppers, downers, or injecting heroin. Most of these substances are highly addictive and detrimental to health. Peer pressure is often the reason why anyone starts using them.

For the vast majority (myself included), alcohol is not particularly addictive. If it was, many more of us would be alcoholics and the rest scared to go near it, or it would be a controlled substance (other than age restriction).

These days, virtually everything we ingest can be shown to have some detrimental effect. I don't like shellfish but, luckily, peer pressure to try it doesn't figure largely in my life! It's probably seething with heavy metals, microplastics, carcinogens, hormones and other polluting substances. ?

I recognise many of the sentiments here! Whilst on an exchange visit to Germany one young man told me I was a "party pooper" because I wouldn't drink alcohol! Very friendly wasn't he?! These days I have discovered a certain white wine with only 5% alcohol which suits me very well as anything stronger has me up half the night with a power surge!! Strangely it is a German brand, but that does not mean I have forgiven him! Each to their own I say. Moderation in all things etc etc!!!!! Come on we're all adults (was going to put "grown-ups" but maybe not, in some cases!) Cheers!!

This thread is at the headline spot in today's Gransnet Daily email.

Talking of alcohol did anyone know about this…
archive.is/VfUlM

My husband as a paying hobby writes slogans for advertising agencies, one he wrote was [Alcohol ruins many lives don’t let it ruin yours] It was a Christmas don’t drink and drive campaign.
He has written hundreds over the years and gets very excited when he sees his handy work on the bill boards.

when i was around 12, i tasted beer, yuk. growing up i could never tolerate it physically.At its best it is a social lubrication,at its worst alcoholism, but then alcohol is not the only substance,try food, etc,etc. Now at 65 i found i can't tolerate it without feeling ill the next day. moderation i say!

That's exactly how I feel about coffee and tea! Why do people drink it? It doesn't taste very nice and it's so expensive. £5 for a jar of coffee although at Starbucks it's that much a cup! I'd rather have juice or water.