Wouldn't it be funny if..

[Mytical]

Somebody spiked your drink?

Ok I was reading a story on cs.com (and no there was absolutely nothing wrong with it..but it made me think of this and since I will be fratching a little bit, brought it here) about people and allergies.

My cousin was bad about knowing the difference between 'being allergic' and not liking something, and it always irked me.

I was explaining to somebody (not my cousin but I will call them John just for something to call them) about how I can NOT risk drinking alcohol. I am not allergic, but with my liver issues not only would it be like playing Russian roulette, but there are some other complications that could arise.

1) I am on a liver transplant list. They can do a tox screen whenever they feel like it, and if I test positive..there goes my spot on that list. Now chances are I could get back on, but you think I would find that freaking Funny? No, no I would not. At all.

2) I've never been a drinker, and I have to already defend myself a lot because I'm always asked if it was drinking or drugs that caused my liver issues. So testing positive for alcohol I didn't know I consumed, provided it didn't send me to the freaking ICU or worse, yeah I would find that freaking hilarious. A million yuks.

3) I am fighting for my freaking life, my mind is already like swiss cheese, and you would basically think it funny to poison me? Go jump off a freaking bridge thanks.

So to answer John's question. No, no it would NOT be funny. Not even a little. Now chances are good it wouldn't actually hurt me, probably less then a 1% chance. If you think after all I've gone through, and all I have to look forward to, that I would find even that less then 1% chance amusing? I can not say what to do with yourself, even on fratching, but it involves one of those spits that they roast hogs on and sandpaper. No, I am not allergic, and as I Said, I 100% agree that people saying they are when they are not is BS, just had to get this off my chest.

And to answer another question that may arise..no I won't even take cough medicine that has alcohol in it, nor use mouthwash that does. Chances are (again), it won't harm me, just not taking ANY chances.

[Sarah Valentine]

If its something that will take you off the transplant list then no it's not funny and he's an asshole for saying it, if you were me I'd've gotten right in his face and said "if you do that and I die from being taken off the transplant list it will be completely your fault!" Does he not get the seriousness of the situation, or is he just being a dick?

[Mytical]

Knowing what I do of John, not only was he just being a dick..he is a type of person who WOULD do something like spike my drink (I either do not drink anything at all around him, or guard what I am drinking very very carefully AND ALWAYS get/make my own drinks)

[Ginger Tea]

What your cousin did or contemplated doing would have me severing ties with him and perhaps the rest of his family.

I found out the hard way I'm 'allergic' to something put in my drink, but I was not tempted to experiment with what of the many club drugs around it could have been.
I didn't end up in A&E but I was vomiting for over a day and the dangly bit in the mouth swelled up to be a constant gag reflex, at the time I was out with a former co-worker and her boyfriend and we were both on Strongbow Cider and I think I took a bullet for her.

Part of me at first put the throwing up down to one too many and left it at that, then that was all I was doing any time I got fluids down in me, it would come right back up.
It went from possibly just one too many to perhaps it was a dodgy pint to hang on, maybe it was something else.
And those I asked about seemed to agree it was more than likely something else.

Also a few years ago (hell nearly 10 when I consider it was before my last job) guy in house and I went out for a few drinks and I was on WKD iron brew, but I came back from the toilet and could REALLY taste the vodka in it, it tuned me right off finishing the drink as I don't like tasting vodka, it was either me just getting the taste coming through after a few bottles, but tbh I think I had drank more prior and never tasted anything bar the iron brew, or he had poured a double in there just cos I was drinking a 'soft' alcopop, I gave it to him and finished the night on coke.

I can't abide the taste of lager or bitter, lager more as I recall only having a sip of boddingtons once, but lager I had tried and despised on many occasions, so I just stuck to woodpecker or strongbow cider, dry blackthorn was vile, I only occasionally dabbled with whisky until a few years ago when double JD and coke was my tipple relegating Cider to hot and spicy from the festivals.
But the flatmate above had a few cans already at home and offered me one after I got in from work, I declined as I don't like the taste and I told him that.
"Wont you have a drink with me?" he moaned.
at the time he wasn't the big knob he became and I said that I would stop and have a chat but I would be drinking coffee, that didn't satisfy him, he wanted a drinking buddy in the kitchen not a chat over drinks (of any kind).

[anakhouri]

I'm not allergic and have no medical reason not to drink, I've just never liked the taste of alcohol. If someone spiked my drink as a joke, I would drop them like a hot potato. When I say no, I don't want any, IT MEANS NO.

And that goes a million times for you since it could negatively impact your health. I think you have every right to drop this person from your acquaintance. It's not worth the risk.

[BrenDAnn]

My mother nearly died of complications from alcoholism when I was five. I started school living with one of my aunts because mom was in the ICU. She did recover, but that is one memory and lesson I have carried with me throughout my life. I have never drank, and have no intention of ever doing so. Anyone making such threats would get a stern lecture from me about all the reasons I don't and won't drink, for sure.

[Andara Bledin]

Anyone who puts anything in your beverage that they know you don't want in your beverage should be prosecuted for attempting to poison you.

And I mean that seriously.

[Mytical]

And that goes a million times for you since it could negatively impact your health. I think you have every right to drop this person from your acquaintance. It's not worth the risk.

He is a waste of skin one of my cousins is dating. I love visiting with my cousin, but I've stopped the visits as long as he is around them.

[LewisLegion]

Doing something like that to someone in your situation...or any situation, honestly...is an incredibly dick move anyone above a fourth grade maturity should never even contemplate doing.

I used to tell people I was allergic to alcohol. Why? Because if I didn't they would not stop pestering me.

I didn't drink, mainly for religious reasons. I drink a very tiny bit now...maybe a hard lemonade or a white russian once a month or so. From about the moment I turned twenty, however, I've lost count of how many conversations went like this:

"What are you having to drink?"
"Nothing, I don't drink."
"What? Everyone drinks! Here, try this, you'll like it."
"No, I don't drink."
"C'mon, you'll like it."
"No, I don't drink for religious reasons."
"What? That's silly. Here, let me order you this, you'll love it."
"I said no, I'm sticking with soda. I don't drink."

And on and on and on, ad nauseum. Even being honest with them for the reasons I didn't drink never stopped them, until I literally walked away from the conversation. Most times, they'd just find me again later in the night and pick it right back up again. I don't know if its just around here or if this is a universal thing but...people do not seem to be able to grok that some people just don't drink, whether for religious purposes or personal tastes/choices, and don't know when to quit.

I finally got so fed up with it I just started telling them I was allergic to alcohol. When they think that drinking might actually kill you, they become a lot less of a pest. The former conversation then turned into something like this:

"What are you drinking?"
"Oh, I can't drink, I'm allergic."
"Oh, that sucks. Here let me get you a soda."

End of convesation, and a hell of a lot less hassle, explaining, and defending...just to not be listened to anyway.

[Kheldarson]

I don't know if its just around here or if this is a universal thing but...people do not seem to be able to grok that some people just don't drink, whether for religious purposes or personal tastes/choices, and don't know when to quit.

I was fortunate to not encounter this personally (mostly because my college friends knew I was interested in drinking, just not until 21. And I was willing to be DD until then), but I have seen articles from people writing in to the advice columnists on this.

People seem to so this with their bad habits, whatever they are, so they don't seem too bad. You're not drinking? Well, why not? Your reason to not drink can't be more valid than my drinking myself into being an ass, so you've got to drink so I feel less like an ass!

[Andara Bledin]

For the assholes who just can't grasp that someone doesn't like what they do, just short-circuit the argument.

"What are you having to drink?"
"Just soda. I don't drink."
"What? Everyone drinks! Here, try this, you'll like it."
"What part of 'I don't drink' don't you understand?"

Don't give them a reason, because they'll just consider it some sort of target. Just make them out to be stupid for not grasping the basic concept of you not drinking. Either they'll back down or they'll think you're a jerk and take off. Either way is a win and both result in people not trying to get you to drink.

What's really odd, though, is that on the drinking front, women appear to be less pestered than men. I'm another non-drinker, and I've never had anyone try to push me into drinking something. Nekojin, on the other hand, has had people try that, and he goes the 'I'm allergic' route, like you.

[Nekojin]

The attitude of "you must drink" appears to be far, far more prevalent in the Collegiate atmosphere, particularly the Fraternity/Sorority crowd. It spills over into other venues (like online) occasionally, but I haven't seen it much outside of that.

[crashhelmet]

The attitude of "you must drink" appears to be far, far more prevalent in the Collegiate atmosphere, particularly the Fraternity/Sorority crowd. It spills over into other venues (like online) occasionally, but I haven't seen it much outside of that.

Did you go to college? Were you in a Fraternity? As someone that did go to college and is in a Fraternity, your statement is insulting and bigoted. While there are some reports of hazing incidents involving binge drinking, it's no where near the epidemic that people with your attitude seem to believe.

If the attitude of "you must drink" is "far, far more prevalent" in any atmosphere, it's the "Party Atmosphere" itself. It doesn't matter if it's a college party, a high school party, a dinner party, or just "partying" at a bar or club. Drinking is encouraged among those that drink, especially in places that are serving or offering alcohol.

Go to a bar and order coke or water all night and people will ask you why you don't drink. Some will try and convince you to drink. They'll even offer to buy your drink. It's a social interaction and many people "don't like to drink alone" so peer pressure gets used to encourage others to drink.

[Andara Bledin]

Hate to burst your outrage bubble, Crashhelmet, but people in Fraternities/Sororities are 10-20% more likely to engage in binge drinking and other alcohol-related problem behavior than other college students, particularly those who are not old enough to drink.

[edit to add]
Aslo, while college students are no more likely to develop alcohol-related issues such as addiction or the like, they are significantly more likely to be involved in binge drinking.

The causal factors are, ultimately irrelevant. The college environment, and the fraternity/sorority environment in particular, are places where binge and pressure drinking are more likely to occur.

[Racket_Man]

Did you go to college? Were you in a Fraternity? As someone that did go to college and is in a Fraternity, your statement is insulting and bigoted. While there are some reports of hazing incidents involving binge drinking, it's no where near the epidemic that people with your attitude seem to believe.

.

Hate to burst your outrage bubble, Crashhelmet, but people in Fraternities/Sororities are 10-20% more likely to engage in binge drinking and other alcohol-related problem behavior than other college students, particularly those who are not old enough to drink.

[edit to add]
Aslo, while college students are no more likely to develop alcohol-related issues such as addiction or the like, they are significantly more likely to be involved in binge drinking.

The causal factors are, ultimately irrelevant. The college environment, and the fraternity/sorority environment in particular, are places where binge and pressure drinking are more likely to occur.

As someone who is of the older crowd I also beg to differ Crash.

Back when I was in college for the first time back in the late 1970's, The fraternaties and sororitites were, shall we say, VERY heality into sex, drugs and rock and roll.

I roomed with an (not sure what they are called) ex-frat guy. Some the the stories he told were just ......

I "rushed" for a fraternaty and got a tour of some of the houses on campus. IN-house beer taps, private "party" rooms, hints of other not so legal happenings, little sister programs for a smallish "female boarding school" in town.

Some of the houses at that campus made Delta Tau Chi look like a conservative church group. HEY let's back up a truck FILLED with kegs of beer and announce OPEN CAMPUS PARTY ON FRIDAY at letter-letter-letter

I know that in the subsiquent years the Greek system has tried to "clean up its act" BUT as is still the case on college campus's accross the country booze, drugs, and sex still have a significant presence.

YES there are some decent houses but I suspect not all is what it seems.