TRIGGER WARNING: Words that will conjure thoughts of alcohol and sexual assault are used in this post. If you are sensitive to these subjects, I would suggest you avoid this post. The reason I used this language is hopefully to inform young girls and women about the dangers that are out there when drinking is involved in partying. This is not to scare or discourage, just to inform.
I’ve always liked a good party. House parties are my favorite! When I was a kid, my mom hosted a lot of house parties. I enjoyed the people, the music, everything.
When I got older, I started going out to clubs and more house parties. Over the years, I found that alcohol drinking can mess up a night of partying by leaving a person open to all kinds of dangerous situations. Not sure of what I’m talking about, keep reading.
Why avoid alcohol when partying
The reason alcohol can ruin a night is that it will change you. Alcohol messes with the brain. It will lower your inhibitions, which means it lowers your self-control and causes you not to think clearly.
With self-control lowered, people tend to do things they ordinarily wouldn’t because they aren’t thinking clearly. This is why I say don’t drink when you’re out.
A true story of a night gone wrong
Something happened to a friend of mine back in college. One night she was going out and stopped to ask me if I wanted to go. I couldn’t because I had some homework, so she went with another friend of ours.
About a month later, while we were all talking, she jumped up and ran to the bathroom. That was strange but okay….A few minutes later, she came back and told us that she wasn’t feeling well. Since it was the beginning of Flu season, we all thought it was the flu.
The next day she told me that over the weekend she was going home to see her doctor. When she got back on Sunday, she told she was pregnant. I was blown away! Then she dropped another bombshell by telling me that she wasn’t sure who the father was.
It turns out that when she had gone out that night, she had gotten drunk and gone home with a guy she just met! All she could vaguely remember was his first name and where he lived.
She and one of our other friends did a drive by to get his address. With that, she sent him a letter telling him everything. My friend told me that at first he was shocked. However, after they talked a bit, they came up with an agreement about how to co-parent.
Her story worked out; well kind of. Being a single parent isn’t the easiest thing in the world to be.
What to do if out partying or clubbing
Anytime you are out at the club or a party, remember there are good people and bad people in the world. These bad people are very charming and can blend in well with the good people. So if you’re ever at a club or party, and a too-charming man starts putting the moves on you, be on alert.
If you have a drink, keep an eye on it. I mean WATCH IT! Don’t let it leave your sight for a second, because there are people out there who will slip drugs (such as Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine) into people’s drinks. The person drinks it, passes out, and is in a prime spot to be taken advantage of. Click here for survivor stories from men and women who have been the victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Anytime I’ve gone out to the clubs and have gotten something to drink (usually a soft drink), I will have that drink in my hand at all times and close to my body. If I’m at the bar, my glass is right up against my chest. So, it will make it harder for someone to get something into my drink without me seeing it.
If I have to go to the bathroom, I throw my drink out. I know it’s a waste, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I have left my drink in the care of a friend I knew I could trust, but that’s something I don’t do much.
The reason I don’t leave my drinks with just anyone is, let’s say, a smooth-talking guy slides up and starts talking to your friend. While she turns her head, a hand comes in from the other direction (his friend) and slips something into your drink. You come back, drink it, and the next thing you know, you’re on the floor.
Besides, my friends are out to dance and have a good time. I don’t want them to have to choose between watching my drink or hanging out with a potential new boyfriend.
Thirst-quenching alternatives to alcohol
Though it may not be cool to not do what your friends do, sometimes you have to do what is right for you.
There are all kinds of other drinks you can have that don’t have alcohol. Water, soft drinks, mocktails. Mocktails are mixed drinks without alcohol (Example: Virgin Margarita My fav!). These were really popular at the university I went to, and were always served at campus activities. Now restuarants are serving them.
So there are options.
Getting home safely
Anytime, you go out and there will be drinking, always have a designated driver. That is someone who will not drink and will be responsible for getting you all home safely.
If you don’t have a designated driver, you can use a taxi cab or call a trusted friend for a pickup. If neither option is available, you can try Uber or Lyft. This WOULD NOT be a good time to accept a ride from someone you just met.
Please don’t drink and drive! It’s estimated that 11,000 people are killed every year by drunk drivers.
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