[Nut.]

(Original post by ChelseyElla)
There'd be nothing wrong with saying you'd rather not say. People should know better than to try and press. I have a load of scars on my arm and I'm always asked how I got them and my reply of "it's a long story" stops people asking anymore.

Cool, thanks.

[LtCommanderData]

I don't drink for lots of reasons, but a few of those are to do with the fact that there is and has been a lot of alcoholism in my family - I don't mind talking about that with friends, but I don't want to go into details with people I've just met, so if people ask why I don't drink I usually just shrug and say "Oh, you know, lots of reasons..." and trail off. People don't tend to push the issue, so I reckon if you don't want to tell people why, you'll be fine most of the time.

EDIT: The other thing is that as someone starting university this year who doesn't drink, I tend to click and read all of these 'I don't drink and I'm about to start uni!' threads. From the number of such threads that get made, I really don't think we've got much to worry about - we're far from alone.

[Nut.]

(Original post by Calimboness)
I have to say, if you said you were on meds to me, I would assume its a long term thing as opposed to penicillin, but maybe thats just me, cos I've been on meds for years bow. And if you said sonething breezily like 'long story', or 'i don't really want to go into it' I would let it go, as long as ypu used a friendly tone...and maybe i would be curious, but it'd be rude of me to push it, especially since it's freshers week and we barely know eachother. if you wanna go into it later, thats your call. Thats how I see it, and I think most people would think like that.

Thanks. It's probably something that I would tell a few people once I've got to know them, but as an icebreaker it'd probably alienate me
Good to know that most people wouldn't push it!

[Colour Me Pretty]

Just say you don't drink because of meds. There's no reason to lie.

I have friends who are tee total and nobody cares or forces them to drink. It's often quite handy to have someone who's sober on a night out so they can be in charge of the camera. Plus, you get to embarrass everyone the next morning as you'll remember every sordid detail.

[ily_em]

(Original post by Nut.)
So I'm looking for some advice, or maybe somebody who had been in a similar situation to me.

I'm not allowed to consume alcohol because of a medication I'm taking and I'm starting university this September. The majority of stuff I've heard from current students and from reading around is that Freshers week involves alcohol. And lots of it.
Essentially I guess I'm looking for a reason that I can give to my new halls buddies as to why I'm not getting drunk with them. I'm wary of saying "because I'm on medication" as I'm taking it for a mental health problem, and that isn't exactly one of the first things that I want potential new friends to hear about me.
At the same time I want to appear friendly and not tell them to mind their own business or whatever. Changing the medication isn't an option I'd want to take up lightly, given how long it took me and my doc to find one that actually works.
Any ideas?

Edit: I don't really want any more replies unless you have proper, constructive advice or experience.

Just be honest and say 'some tablets I'm on mean I can't drink alcohol'. It'd be really rude for them to pry and ask what the medication is for, and I don't know anybody at uni who'd do that Also people might not notice, although I guess in halls if people want you to join in predrinks/ drinking games before going out you'd have to mention it then.

[Old School]

(Original post by Nut.)
So I'm looking for some advice, or maybe somebody who had been in a similar situation to me.

I'm not allowed to consume alcohol because of a medication I'm taking and I'm starting university this September. The majority of stuff I've heard from current students and from reading around is that Freshers week involves alcohol. And lots of it.
Essentially I guess I'm looking for a reason that I can give to my new halls buddies as to why I'm not getting drunk with them. I'm wary of saying "because I'm on medication" as I'm taking it for a mental health problem, and that isn't exactly one of the first things that I want potential new friends to hear about me.
At the same time I want to appear friendly and not tell them to mind their own business or whatever. Changing the medication isn't an option I'd want to take up lightly, given how long it took me and my doc to find one that actually works.
Any ideas?

Edit: I don't really want any more replies unless you have proper, constructive advice or experience.

I am a bodybuilder and I compete. Therefore I am completely teetotal. I've also just finished my first year at uni.

People really don't give a damn if you don't drink. So long as you're not an arse about it it isn't going to make you a social outcast unless you let it. It is possible to go out to pubs/clubs whatever sober and still have a good time.

However if you let it define you and you make a big thing about it people are going to comment. They won't hate you but you will make yourself look like a dick.

[Calimboness]

(Original post by Nut.)
Thanks. It's probably something that I would tell a few people once I've got to know them, but as an icebreaker it'd probably alienate me
Good to know that most people wouldn't push it!

They wont push it and no, i dont think it's the best icebreaker :P And as many have said, we are far from alone in the 'non-drinking fresher' category, which actually makes me feel better, I was particularky worried since my Firm is a London uni, with clubs everywhere :P

[CupcakeKisses]

(Original post by Nut.)
So I'm looking for some advice, or maybe somebody who had been in a similar situation to me.

I'm not allowed to consume alcohol because of a medication I'm taking and I'm starting university this September. The majority of stuff I've heard from current students and from reading around is that Freshers week involves alcohol. And lots of it.
Essentially I guess I'm looking for a reason that I can give to my new halls buddies as to why I'm not getting drunk with them. I'm wary of saying "because I'm on medication" as I'm taking it for a mental health problem, and that isn't exactly one of the first things that I want potential new friends to hear about me.
At the same time I want to appear friendly and not tell them to mind their own business or whatever. Changing the medication isn't an option I'd want to take up lightly, given how long it took me and my doc to find one that actually works.
Any ideas?

Edit: I don't really want any more replies unless you have proper, constructive advice or experience.

Don't worry, being yourself in uni is essential and if you don't drink then the friends you make are true ones who really wouldn't mind if you drink or not. I'm going to uni soon aswell but i don't really want to drink alcohol at all out of choice and i'm worried aswell i wont make friends because i wont be joining in. Is this the case (anyone who has been in or seen a similar situation?)

[Dagnabbit]

Join the Christian Union. We are actually not licensed to have alcohol at our events anyway!

[wangelo]

I won't be drinking due to medication as well, if people ask ill just tell them that. It wont stop me from going out with people since I don't really need to be drunk to go out clubbing.

[tory88]

There will be others who don't drink alcohol, for religious reasons mainly. And some people such as myself don't like getting excessively drunk or drinking every night, so you should be fine really. It's not as odd as you think. If it reallly concerns you, order a coke and tell people it's got Jack Daniels or Vodka in it.

[charlotte-rose]

(Original post by Nut.)
Pretty sad that the only way people made friends in your building was by going out clubbing?

Nobody bonded over courses, other common interests or simply by spending time together in the kitchen or whatever?
Seems pretty odd.

More likely that the people who chose not to go out didn't want to be talked to. I won't have that problem

When did I say that? BIG difference between clubbing and socialising at the pub quiz, gym, pool hall etc...
No, they were on different courses. We also had no common interests, and we never spent any time in the kitchens with them. I lived in a very very close house of people, and the majority of us were close because we spent our spare time (aka. after 8pm) together.

[Nut.]

(Original post by charlotte-rose)
When did I say that? BIG difference between clubbing and socialising at the pub quiz, gym, pool hall etc...
No, they were on different courses. We also had no common interests, and we never spent any time in the kitchens with them. I lived in a very very close house of people, and the majority of us were close because we spent our spare time (aka. after 8pm) together.

I presume that you weren't at pub quizzes or pool halls all night though were you?

Those are the sorts of things that I love doing, but I have to take my medication in the morning and at night, and it makes me very drowsy in the evening (because I'm already getting sleepy, since it's night time).
I mean, I could probably push my medication time back to 11pm at the latest, which would mean by midnight I'm practically unconscious.
There would be some sort of social stuff (like quizzes, as you mention) that'll finish before then, right?

[charlotte-rose]

(Original post by Nut.)
I presume that you weren't at pub quizzes or pool halls all night though were you?

Those are the sorts of things that I love doing, but I have to take my medication in the morning and at night, and it makes me very drowsy in the evening (because I'm already getting sleepy, since it's night time).
I mean, I could probably push my medication time back to 11pm at the latest, which would mean by midnight I'm practically unconscious.
There would be some sort of social stuff (like quizzes, as you mention) that'll finish before then, right?

Til at least midnight with both, then we'd go back together and chat in the kitchen.

Perhaps, it depends where you are and how far away these things are. I vaguely remember the quiz ending around 11.30 on my campus.

[truechristian91]

I would say the best idea would just be honest with people. I couldnt and still cant get drunk because of a heart issue and was having the same thoughts as you but it all ended up fine.