I DONT drink Alcohol!

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Replies

  • yogamom16
    yogamom16 Posts: 114
    I dont drink either. I have never had anyone question why I wasnt drinking. I just dont like how it makes me feel.
  • Dwamma
    Dwamma Posts: 289 Member
    I choose not to drink as well! I have seen it hurt to many people in my life. So therefore I make a choice NOT to drink and I am very proud of it! If you chose to then that is YOUR choice. I will respect YOUR choice and I hope YOU will respcet MY choice. No need to argue or ask a bunch of questions...it is what it is and that is all there is to it. Your friends should respect you and allow you to make your own choice about drinking.
  • NuggetLovesEdie
    NuggetLovesEdie Posts: 477 Member
    I do think it will get easier as you get older.

    I stopped drinking in order to be effective when I quit smoking (had to quit coffee at the same time, too, to break the behavioral associations). This was coming up on 10 years ago.

    Now, I will drink MAYBE one or two drinks per year.

    I find that I don't like how I feel with alcohol in my system. My body feels very flushed and I feel my brain functioning differently after only, like half a beer.

    For a while it was weird. I felt like I needed to explain to people that I don't drink alcohol.

    Now its totally normal and I just order what I want and don't give it a second thought.

    Though, I have to confess, I don't usually go out much to bars because if I'm going out, its to see my friends and *talk* with them, which I can't do in most bars because its too loud for a conversation.
  • jadedzen
    jadedzen Posts: 221 Member
    I drank enough in college, I just don't do it anymore. Not that I avoid it, I just don't.

    This.
  • Persistence is the key, eventually people get the picture and stop pressurising you to join them. I have not drunk alcohol for the past 40 years as like yourself I don't actually like the taste so decided I would leave it for those who do. After about the first 5 years other than my father in law ( who took a little longer) people started asking me if I wanted juice. soda or something else non- alcoholic to drink. In social outing situations something that looks similar eg lemon, lime and bitters makes others feel comfortable and you don't go thirsty :-) Stick to your guns, I did and haven't had to feel uncomfortable for years.
  • ang3h
    ang3h Posts: 185 Member
    I hate alcohol. Hate the taste, hate the way it makes me feel. I am loopy enough without needing to add alcohol into the mix :p
  • volume77
    volume77 Posts: 670 Member
    i dont drink either but its because i am in recovery have been sober for three years. people contantly try yo get me to drink all the time. its annoying but i just tell them over and over I DONT DRINK. i dont explain anything they eventually let it go.
  • NavyKnightAh13
    NavyKnightAh13 Posts: 1,394 Member
    I drink once or twice a year, and at home.

    People try to get me to drink more but honestly the alcohol makes me sick. I tell people its because I'm the DD.
  • I'm a recovering alcoholic. Personally, if someone asks me why I don't drink, I tell them simply "Because I just don't." You don't owe anyone an explanation for anything, regardless of WHY you don't drink.
  • I don't drink, not a big fan of the taste. I like to be in control of my actions lol. I've had some bad experiences when I was younger, so think this contributes. Not fun being around drunk people either. :grumble:
  • PipBnz
    PipBnz Posts: 49 Member
    I used to enjoy a drink or 2 with friends, only once every few weeks, then i moved into a new flat and my habits didn't change but me new flatties decided i "wasn't fun enough" because i chose not to get s**tfaced a couple times a week like they did.
    They spiked my drink on 2 occasions, (i only figured it out the second time because i have no memory of the next 24 hours). since then I extremely rarely drink.( xmas day with the family kind of thing)
    Even with people i trust its not a situation i want to risk being in again so i tend to avoid alcohol altogether.
    The other reason is that i prefer to train early in the morning and its just not possible to give it my all with a hangover.
    I too get asked why and often people think i'm weird because i choose not to drink, to be honest i have more fun sober and it doesn't ruin the next day :)
  • AyaKara
    AyaKara Posts: 220
    I never have! I plan on making a toast on my birthday & having a drink for the first time with my family + fiancee, but I'm probably not going to have another until my wedding . . . & after that, I have no idea when. :laugh:
  • forgtmenot
    forgtmenot Posts: 860 Member
    I completely stopped drinking for about 8 months. Did not drink a drop. I just didn't think it was doing anything positive for me (I now may have 1 hard liqour drink or 2 glasses of wine max on rare occasion) When people asked me I just said "I just don't like the way it makes me feel" or in your case I'd say I don't like the way it tastes. I don't get why people have to assume there is a specific reason or that it is so odd not to drink...
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    I haven't drank in almost a year and it's the best thing I ever did. Don't start if you aren't into it just because of others.

    The only reason the majority of people that drink more than they should hound others to drink is because they don't want you seeing them drunk when you sober. It makes them feel better about going overboard on it.

    My son says he'll never ever drink just like you and I hope he does just that. Good on you! Waste of calories anyway.
  • I dont drink. I dont like how it makes me feel and even just the smallest amount changes my personality without me actually feeling intoxicated. i drank in my teens, a lot, but now i am happy to stay sober.

    most of my friends dont drink and my partner is allergic to alcohol (well, dextrose but she is yet to find alcohol she likes which doesnt send her into mild anaphelactic shock).

    i love being sober (it means that you remember all the stupid things the drinkers do whilst under the influence and tease them about it!)
  • wrong place, sorry!
  • No thanks, I rather not...

    I know how to have a good time without being intoxicated....

    Thanks, but I'll pass...

    Not really into getting **** faced even slightly...
  • midschool22
    midschool22 Posts: 1,267 Member
    I don't drink. When asked why, I just say I just don't drink.

    That usually ends it.
  • JosieJo2000
    JosieJo2000 Posts: 162 Member
    I don't drink...well, I'll have half a beer once or twice a year maybe. I used to get a hard time about it as a teenager / early 20s, now no-one seems to really care. "Do you want some wine?". "No thanks - enjoy yours though!" End of story :)
  • I used to drink pretty often until I got serious about my training. I might have one here and there now but not very often...it is not worth it to me. It lengthens the time it takes to recover and hinders my performance in the gym. I miss going out sometimes but not enough to throw away all my hard work.
  • Ashlea_M
    Ashlea_M Posts: 165 Member
    I don't drink either- and when I get asked those stupid questions (I ALWAYS seem to get the 'ooh are you pregnant?" question) I happily tell them all about my fiance's father who is an abusive drunk and has been for 40 years. I give them information about him they really don't want to hear and then they shut up. It works quite well :)
  • Ellyabell
    Ellyabell Posts: 49 Member
    I don't drink alcohol for no other reason than I don't like the way it makes me feel and my body reacts pretty badly to it.

    People tend to get confused, although it has gotten better. My friends are used to it by now and many of them hardly drink at all either or only small amounts. And they are normally happy to have a driver ;-).

    I don't argue with people anymore. I stay calm and just explain that I don't like to drink but don't mind others doing it. That seem to be enough of an explanation, at least that's all they get.
  • I don't drink either. Was having the odd glass if wine. But really hated the way it made my body feel like crap.

    Now I just have mineral water with a squeeze of lemon. I haven't had friends question my choice. They just don't catch up with me anymore. Which is fine by me.

    Mel
  • I personally do not drink alcohol. Simple.

    People question me when I go out with friends as to why I am not drinking. "Are you pregnant" "Is it because of religion" "Are you sick" "There must be something wrong with you". NO NO NO & NO.

    I am not religious. I am not pregnant. I am not sick and as far as I know there is nothing wrong with me! It has been my personal choice not to drink alcohol simply because I haven't found any drinks that I actually like the taste of!

    Are there any other non-alcoholic MFP'ers out there that know how to deal with this social situation? I am just sick to death of people trying to pressure me into drinking because they think it's 'cool' or the fun thing to do. I am 21 and our legal age is 18 here in Aus, and obviously I can make my own choices (because I choose not to drink!)

    Basically what I'm asking is, what would be your comeback? I am so tired of explaining myself to everyone I see when we are out. I am quite capable of having a good time without alcohol.

    End rant! LOL

    Wow. I could have totally written that!

    I'm from Australia too. The drinking culture in this country is weird. If you don't drink, there's something wrong with you. I hate that mindset. When I turned 18, I tried the going-out-and-drinking thing, and it just wasn't for me. Some people seem to enjoy it, but I really think a lot are just kidding themselves and doing it because they feel obligated to (because if you don't, you get subjected to the weird looks and Spanish inquisition!). I could tell you my theory on why people in Australia drink so much, but it's long winded and probably boring!

    My comeback is usually that I don't need chemical enhancers to be a fun and interesting person - I'm awesome naturally! If you turn it back on them and make them feel like the deficient ones, they usually leave you alone!

    Anyway, stay with it. Don't do anything you don't want to do. I'm 30 now, and I've never let anyone pressure me into drinking. And don't be fooled by people telling you that you'll appreciate wine once you're older - still tastes like cat pee to me!
  • treagal
    treagal Posts: 264 Member
    um...just say no thanks. if they don't listen the first time, say i don't drink (in a firm manner). don't stress yourself out about it...it is what it is.
  • leantool
    leantool Posts: 365 Member
    i don't drink. in our community men drinking is accepted but unwelcome fact whereas women drinking is an aberrance!!social gender bias at full play..
    and
    i would rather have my antioxidants from greens and tomatoes , instead of red wine!!
  • treagal
    treagal Posts: 264 Member
    what he said
    I don't drink. When asked why, I just say I just don't drink.

    That usually ends it.
  • leantool
    leantool Posts: 365 Member
    I don't drink either- and when I get asked those stupid questions (I ALWAYS seem to get the 'ooh are you pregnant?" question) I happily tell them all about my fiance's father who is an abusive drunk and has been for 40 years. I give them information about him they really don't want to hear and then they shut up. It works quite well :)
    is your fiance ok with that!:frown:
  • I drink, but my comeback would probably be something along the lines of "Because I don't want to, piss off. I can have sloppy sex that I'll regret in the morning on my own, thank you very much."

    Because I'm rude. >w<
  • newyorklover91
    newyorklover91 Posts: 77 Member
    Thank you all for your ideas.

    They pretty much sum up everything that I was thinking! Ahhh I feel a weight off my shoulders now knowing that I'm not the only 'weird' one that doesn't drink!