A $5,000 reward to remain sober has inspired one student to keep off the booze.
“My parents offered me a reward if I don’t drink until I’m 21,” Thomas, 20, nursing major said.
Along with this reward, Whiteside is also guided by his values.
“It’s my family values,” Javier said. “My parents don’t drink heavily, it’s more of a glass of wine every now and then.”
For some students, their road to the sober life was different.
“There was always financial problems with my family,” Jonica, 22, nursing major said. “We were evicted a few times.”
Growing up with these conditions caused Jonica to have a negative outlook when it came to drugs and alcohol.
“I became bitter, so I rejected my family for their poor choices,” Jonica said. “I hated being around people who wasted their money and lives on drugs or alcohol.”
For others, the feeling they have if they drink or do drugs has kept them away from it.
“When I drink, I have a lack of control,” Peggy, 20, biology major, said. “I don’t feel like my normal self.”
Not only have personal things caused people to stay away from alcohol, but the taste has also pushed some to stay away.
“The first time I had a drink I thought it was the worst tasting thing ever,” Ryan, 19, engineering major said.
Along with their personal experiences, legal ramifications have swayed some students to stay away.
When it comes to drinking and being around it, it has become easy for these students to stay away.
“I don’t really run with that crowd,” Thomas said. “It’s not really my scene.”
For Thomas, it is not hard for him to say no to alcohol when pressured by others to drink.
“Most people get it when I say no thanks,” Thomas said. “They don’t really push it passed that .”
While drinking and drugs are common at parties, these students have realized parties are not very appealing to them.
“The thing is when I’m at a party, I tend to get bored,” Llora said. “This one time, I think I offended some people because I opened a book to read it, because I was bored.”
Being sober does not affect these students’ ability to have fun while they are at a party.
“I’m always able to have fun without being under the influence.” Jonica said. “I don’t need it.”
Not drinking has also enabled some students to take care of their friends.
“I usually tell my friends to have water with them and to just be careful if they do decide to drink.” Jonica said.
Being sober also has its negative effects for this student.
“There are so many moments where I have taken care of drunk friends,” Ryan said. “Being sober allows me to be there for my friends if they need me.”