People often ask me why I am straightedge. From now on, I will direct them here.
When I was very young, it started out as rigid religious fundamentalism. As I got older, I realized that it wasn't necessarily sinful to drink. That said, by that point I had matured enough to have better reasons than "YOU GO TO HELL 4 TEH BEERZ LOLZ." Here are my greatest reasons (in no particular order).
1. Genetic History of Alcohol Abuse
Two of my great-grandfathers lost a combined three legs due to symptoms stemming from chronic alcoholism. One of them lost both his legs, his sight, and most of his hearing before his death. Suffice to say, I really don't feel like taking any risks that way.
2. Personal Affinity for Beverages
While this may on the surface appear as a flimsy excuse, let me elaborate. I am notorious for having the ability as well as the bladder to drink a lot of liquid in a short amount of time, especially if something tastes good to me. I have put down more Cherry Vanilla Dr. Peppers in my time than I choose to count. At dinner at a restaurant it is commonplace for me to have at least two refills on my soft drink. Given my affinity for beverages, I know that if I found an alcoholic beverage I particularly enjoyed, I would likely overindulge myself in it.
3. My desire for control
I am not exactly the type of person who likes to do things because I am told to do so. The phrases you have to, you need to, and you should grate at me to the point that I literally tone out the rest of what the speaker is saying. I desire control in my life over all aspects and absolutely detest ceding control to others. In turn, I like to be in control over all the decisions I make so that I can take responsibility for everything I have done. While it would have been my choice to partake in alcoholic consumption, any actions resulting from that choice are not fully mine. As it is, my sober judgment can be spotty at times. I shudder to think what it would be like under the influence of any amount of alcohol.
Reasons one and two I guess would explain why I am extreme in my actions (and those who know me well know that I often take extremes in my life for better or worse), and reason three would explain why I am against overindulgence to begin with.
