Getting sober is one of the most important and life changing events. Alcohol is fun, yes. But, some of us have a little too much fun with it. There are so many reasons why people don't drink and those can be life saving reasons to know. It's all good to have fun, but we need to recognize overindulgence.
Redditor wanted to hear from all the sobers out there by asking.... Non drinkers of Reddit, what do you tell people when they ask "why don't you drink"?
Just One.
Grew up in an alcoholic home. Homeless. Always on the run from the law. My grandfathers on both sides were alcoholics. My dad was an alcoholic. My sister is an addict and alcoholic. She's living on the street somewhere. I always assumed I was probably an alcoholic, too. So, I just never drank the first one. I'm 53 and have never had a beer or any alcohol.
I just tell people I don't drink and never have. A friend of mine was poking fun at me once back in high school, "Are you afraid to have even one drink!?"
I responded, "You've been to my house."
He got real serious and said, "Yeah. Sorry. That was uncool."
I just don't drink. Kiroway66
Keep at it.
Because I'm an alcoholic and my life goes to crap when I drink. *sober since 06/07/14. liquid405
Yeah buddy! I hear you, I've been sober since 30/08/13. Creeping up on 6 years in 2 weeks time. Keep at it. white_butterfly1
"I don't want to"
It aggravates my disease.
I have other reasons, but it's the one I most revert to because "I don't want to" usually doesn't cut it for whatever reason.
Edit: disease is Rheumatoid Arthritis, the times I have tried drinking it's triggered a flare really badly. supern0vaaaaa
15 Years Ago.
"I met my quota 15 years ago. I drank all of the alcohol I was allotted for life and probably some of your quota too, so I had to stop." FairyDustSailor
I've thought about using that one. I drank so much towards the end of my career of being a drunk I just can't. I'm 43 days sober today. I was drinking a liter of gin a day so its game over if I start back. Chubs_Mackerel
Just Being 20!
GiphyI'm 20 and I say this (I don't drink because I've known a few too many alcoholics to want to even try getting drunk). Everyone takes it as a challenge to make me drink more! Like, "oh, we say it's ok, so get drunk, hun." Uhhhh... no thanks. mrichter2
Not Right Now.
I hate telling people that I don't drink because then they ask that question. I usually tell people "I don't feel like drinking right now." Not only do I not feel like drinking now, I don't feel like drinking ever again.
The real answer is, when I start I can't seem to stop, and health concerns. People get so defensive about why drinking alcohol is ok, I don't get it. Like, you make your decisions and let me make mine. BagelDesk
Full Disclosure.
I no longer drink because I like drinking way to much. hangryguy
Yep, last week at happy hour with new friends I just said "Full disclosure-I'm not responsible enough to drink," takes the edge off the whole alcoholism thing, worked well. My virgin mojito was meh but my sanity, health, relationships and Saturday morning were deeelish. 2 years sober now. aussiefrzz16
The Meds.
On medication, which is true, but the main reason is that I'm a complete control freak. DonutsAndDoldrums
Yeah I can't due to medication and so many people try to talk me into it. It's like no thanks I don't feel like dying today. The insistence people have when trying to get people to drink is creepy. SoVerySleepy81
Family Tree.
Had an alcoholic parent. Turned me off drinking completely. killy420
Grew up being told that the most brilliant man I could have ever met was my grandfather. And he died the year before I was born due to alcoholism. My parents had already cut ties with that part of the family for all kinds of alcohol and drug issues, cousins that couldn't stay out of jail for more than a month, etc.
I tell people that my body doesn't process alcohol very well and could hospitalize me. Most don't press after that. In reality I can only handle the equivalent of one beer before I start to feel uncomfortable and hot and I've never really felt any kind of encouragement to push through that. bVI7N6V7IM7
Blackout.
Giphy"Because none of you can stop me when I blackout."
Edit: should probably mention I'm nearly seven feet tall so this is a lot funnier/scarier depending on how well you know me. This is just the fastest way I've found to get people to stop asking me why I don't drink. It's meant as a joke. Cerberus63