Teetotal... Why the stigma?

I think it's the same thing as people who give you dirty looks or make nasty comments because your losing weight and eating better.
They don't want to do it and they don't want to admit what your doing is better and healthier.

Good luck with your journey! You're on the right path.

In the US teetotal means that you're against other folks drinking as well as yourself. If you just don't drink then it's different.

There are always groups of people who hate those who don't do what they do. Sometimes folks get nervous around me because they think that since I don't drink- I think no one else should either. Once they find out that I'm all for other people drinking if they want just not ME drinking- they settle down.

That said- some people are just twitchy and are best avoided.

Yes, I am in the middle of quitting for 30 days, and I always hear that I'm "being lame" or on a "high horse" yeah I really don't care, because I'm doing this for me. At the end of the day, those who say those things to me are still uncomfortable in their own bodies. I'm good!

There is a total stigma on teetotalers. I work with a guy who has never had a drink of alcohol in his life (highly related to his religious preferences/beliefs) and finally have someone to sit on the sidelines with.

My co-workers pick on me for not drinking, but that's their business. If they wanna go out and blow $85 at the bar on Friday night and then try to find a ride home or try to find their clothes on the hotel room floor the next morning, that's their mess to be in -- no longer my life.

My hardest thing is dating. It is very very rare that I meet a man who does not drink. On every singles profile, on every blind date, on every 'hey my friend said we should hang out' message, all the men I see are drinkers. Some claim to be social drinkers and are... some claim to be social drinkers and don't understand the definition of social drinking -- if you have to have a beer with breakfast and every other meal and one on the way home from work WHILE DRIVING... you are not a social drinker in my opinion and the opinion of many medical professionals. I digress. Anyway, I have yet to meet/date a man who doesn't drink or smoke. I don't drink or smoke or use drugs because I'm an addict. I've been in recovery for over 8 years and though I don't go around telling just any old soul about it, I'm proud of my sobriety. It's just hard to meet guys that I can see a future with because of the drinking.

**shrug**

I don't drink at all and my friends will be the first people to say to others "really...she's not drunk, she doesn't need to drink, she's just crazy",

A lot of people drink because it helps them feel more confident, they probably just find it bizarre that you don't need a bit of dutch courage to have a good time... Keep on as you are, sod them all !

Never even heard the term until just now. Grew up not drinking and in the few drinking circles I've mingled in, it's never been an issue. They just know I don't drink and that's that. I think it's the people you're with being jerks and you might look into finding new friends.

Most bars serve non-alcoholic beers. So just have some and then nobody knows that you're abstaining.

That said, alcohol is one of those rare nice things that's both fun and also associated with health benefits (obviously in moderation), so don't feel like you have to avoid it to be healthy.

Good for you. I wish I had the willpower. Don't understand people who have a problem with teetotallers, maybe it's the same as ordering a salad when out with friends and they say "go on have a burger" because they feel guilty about their choices.

I don't think there's a stigma unless you are telling everyone else not to drink. I have alcoholic/addict friends so: no, I would never pressure someone to drink.

If those "friends" HAVE to have alcohol in order to have fun, that is pretty lame if you ask me. I wish I could have a social drink here and there but can't; my body won't process alcohol and I get very sick. Don't worry about it and come over for a cup o' tea!

I had to change my friends when I stopped drinking. Btw, I always thought the term was "tea-totaller" as a person who drinks tea. I guess i just live my tea. lol!

I don't care what people think. I steer clear of the stuff. I just don't see what's so fun about getting so messed up that you're no longer in control over your own actions.

I'm with those that suggest getting new friends. I've always drank very rarely and barely ever have I gotten drunk. I've never had friends pressure me or talk bad to me about it. If your friends think and speak badly about you for just not drinking and are pressuring you then they aren't actually friends. Friends don't try to make you feel bad on purpose. Get some new ones.

I stopped drinking over 4 years ago and on those occasions that there is any comments I just laugh and say when I hit 370 pounds and my drink meter rolled over 100000 gallons it was time to stop. This usually confuses them somewhat and by the time they figure out I am kidding about having consumed 100000 gallons the conversation has moved on

I go back and forth but as I am breast feeding I only have maybe a glass of wine very occasionally. Most of our friends are in the same boat so no one cares. I do go to a lot of events with my work. It is amazing how you can fake drink! I have made a glass of wine last 4 hours! Or order a fancy non alcoholic drink that looks like a cocktail. Or apple juice in a wine glass. There are all kinds of tricks but if your not drinking then your friends should respect that.