Yes, there have been times where underage drinking occurs during my college years and even some instances where it happened during high school. I won't lie to you, I'm not perfect, and I know that. Most people have experienced some sort of encounter with alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Here's why I take a vow to myself. (Warning: read this with an open mind and be prepared to have honesty in tough love.)

I have witnessed many moments of incoherent drunk nights or black out - "What happened last night?" conversations. I'm not saying I'm an angel, because I'm not. However, I can say that I haven't been in a moment where I have lost all self-control of my body, my mind, or my well-being. I've seen and experienced nights of where people became too drunk to function. I have been the friend who was there to help take care of these people in times of these moments. Sometimes I find myself wondering in these situations, "If it were me, who would take care of me?"

That's the thing...I don't want to have to be taken care of because of being too drunk. Yes, I may be a bit of a control freak, but I don't ever want to forget what happened the night before, inconvenience others by my actions, and then proceed living my life normally. I would feel embarrassed and ashamed of myself. Even worse, when there are these long nights of holding someone's hair back or cleaning the puke off of them or off of the floor, there rarely are "thank you's". That person who helped you, that person who took care of you, that person who stayed up late to make sure you weren't swallowing you own vomit, that person is a true friend. They deserve to have a million sincere "thank you's". They protected you, they made sure you were safe, they made sure you went to bed tucked in with a garbage can next to your side, this is the least they deserve. I'm not shaming the people who drink. I'm not shaming the people who get out-of-control every once in a while. I'm writing this article as a wake up call to those who need it.

You are lucky. You are so lucky to have someone who cares so much to take care of you. So, this is why I vow to myself. I vow to never completely lose control, to know my limits, and to be responsible when under the influence. I know peer pressure happens and people may get to you, but it is in your best interest to be able to know when to stop and when to say no. I know I may sound like a broken record or a flash back of the D.A.R.E. program. I promise to keep myself in check and to take precautions in order to do so. (You should too!)

Alright, I know there are weekends where you just want to get "lit" and let loose; we all have. I expect for there to be good memories of friends doing something stupid and harmless and to reminisce about it in the next days or years to come. I know drinking is going to happen. (I'm not an oblivious idiot.) I am not writing this article to keep you from drinking because ultimately, I know that isn't going to happen. I am writing this to give you food for thought before the next time you go out and party.

I promise you, you don't look as cute as this puppy does when passed out.

Here's another vow, I promise to try my best to take care of those who need help. I will help the ones who have a night here or there and party a little too hard. I will help them clean up, get in bed safely, drink a glass of water, the whole nine yards. However, be wary if you are a drinker/party-person who does this every weekend. I warn you that soon enough, those who come to help you every time you cry wolf and drink too much will stop coming. The first couple of times they understood that things get out-of-control but, once it happens every other weekend...that's when it gets old. That's when you know there is a problem. That's when those who are there for you will stop being there for you. You have lost sight of what is important...your future, your friends, and your life. If it gets to moments of incoherent, black- out-drunk every weekend, that is when you might need to look to take a step back, re-evaluate, and find a different outlet other than alcohol. If it's mental, drinking WILL NOT take your pain away; in fact, it may even make it worse.

If you had a wake up call reading this article, here's what you need to do:

1. Thank those who have been there and helped you during these long nights.

2. Limit yourself to a number of drinks or a number of days you can drink a month.

3. Be honest with yourself and take a vow to yourself - share it with others.

We don't hate you, we don't look down upon you, we love you. This is why we help you, this is why we are there for you, and this is why I wrote this article. I may know you or I may not know you. Whatever it may be, just know that there is someone out there that cares enough about you to tell you straight up. You are lucky. You are lucky to be alive and well today. You are lucky to have family and friends who care about you. You are lucky to continue those relationships. So, I challenge you to do those three things listed above. If not all three, then just one...thank those who have been there for you no matter what the situation. You never know when you will get a chance to do it again.

Thank you for reading and please be responsible while drinking.