Anyone here not drink alcohol?

Are you drunk right now?

 

I had my first drink about a month before i turned 21, never had a problem at parties when I didn't drink. Why? Because the people I hung out with knew peer pressure made me want to do the opposite, and they were actual friends instead of losers who thought that if I don't drink I'm not cool.
Now I'm in a very weird situation, I don't drink much at all. When I go out I'll have one, maybe two drinks, or none at all. In the community I'm in and the other communities I work with I am a major minority. haha. If that makes sense. I'm not very social and in general I am with small groups vs large groups when I can choose to be. The way I get around feeling like I'm a weirdo is by not giving a crap what everyone else thinks. The likelyhood is that no one is watching you and judging you, even though you think they are. The second thing I do when I am with large gatherings is meander around and observe people and listen in on conversations. There are bound to be 4 or 5 people just like you at the party or gathering, or bar, and when you find the start talking to them.
Last thought, before you go, drink an energy drink, poor out a beer, fill it with water. You'll get the energy and you'll look like everyone else if that's what you're concerned with.

 

I was the same way with alcoholics running through both sides of my family, swore I would never drink...then I turned 21. Military life has a way of doing that.

Being conscious of it is a big start to not going overboard as well as avoiding it when you think you need to self medicate. I personally don't drink anymore because I hate feeling dehydrated when I wake up but I will have a beer or two if I want to. I didn't play the peer pressure BS in high school and I certainly don't now.

Find your happy balance but there's nothing wrong with being sober. If someone thinks less of you for it...f*** em!

 

I agree with you 100% we do need to take better care of ourselves.

 

There's a lot of good advice on here.

To comment on the posts about finding new friends, I don't have a problem with the friends that I currently have. It's that I want to meet new people to make connections and possibly new friends.

The biggest issue i've run into is with work functions. It doesn't help that i'm anti-social/socially awkward so I miss out on potential connections that may help me out in the future.

 

My good buddy gave it up for about a year to get his mind right and priorities straight. It was tough for him, but he usually drank a red bull or monster when we were out.

 

I use to be that akward kid just grow a pair and talk to peeps confidence is the key who cares what people think of you if they think your weird or akward F**K them when I meet new peeps I ask them what kida truck they got or about fishing hunting that sort of thing I have met awesome people by just talking to them good luck bro just be confident and don't care what people think and you will be fine.

 

I'll just dump out the beer and fill it with an energy drink. Those things get me wired!

 

Beer is good.

 

I quit drinking 4 or 5 years ago, and yes i find it hard also to be in situations where you are the only one not drinking. Mainly because i see how dumb people act when they have to much to drink. Also most of the people i used hang around with that party alot dont even associate w/me anymore. I find i like to use my time more wisely and am alot more productive. I dont think that its being anti-social. I just know that if i get too close i may stumble and thats always in the back of mind in those situations. So i steer clear. 2 DWI's is enough for me!

 

I stopped drinking when I was 19 yrs old. It hurt my social life a bit but then I focused more on people with shared interests and people who werent so shallow.

I havent had a drink in 18 years.

 

Damn good for you

 

I don't drink. Never have. Don't need to. Grab what you drink (soda etc ) and just be yourself. You need to be confident in your decision not to. I always leave an out if I need to. When people get to drunk I go to a different area or leave. Someone says something I just let it go. I stay a while and then go. I don't care. I have never had someone mock me or give me a hard time. They ask and I say no thanks. Eventually they will get use to it. I was invited to every party because I didn't drink. I had a truck and I took all the keys and loaded everyone up in the bed and took them home. I think it's how much of a problem YOU make it on yourself.

 

I used to be borderline alcoholic. I wasted 7-8 years of my life just going to bars and drinking. Dollar drafts at a place I frequently hung out and it wasn't unusual for me to drop 20 bucks (or more) a night. It eventually cost me a DUI, loss of license and lots of money in fines, lawyer and mandatory counseling. Wasn't until I got married that I really put it behind me.

I eventually stopped, because it was just a case of been there, done that. I'll still have an occasional drink. But I very rarely have more than two at a time these days. Getting drunk is just not something I do anymore.

If out with friends or coworkers, I don't usually drink. Not a problem unless people start getting drunk and acting like asses. Then it makes me uncomfortable. When that happens, it is time to part company for the evening.

 

i find it more difficult to hang with people with kids. not THAT makes me want a drink.

OP, just be yourself. be open and social. really, those the use booze as a crutch or "social lubricant"...well. just be yourself.

all my friends are in the damn wine industry!!

 

X2 on the kids thing... We have some friends that have kids, I hate hanging out with them... Don't tell the wife!

 

x3 on the kids..

Best part about kids, is handing them back to their owners when they start crying or act up.

12 years with the Wife, no kids

 

Prozac FTW!

 

When i drank i didnt like kids either, now i have to wonderful step children that i love. Although they make me want drink sometimes. Alot!

 

X2