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
Wendy Williams Tells Audience She's Living In A Sober House During Emotional Confession
In a very honest moment, Wendy Williams told her audience she's been living in a sober home. The moment came while she was talking about her non-profit that focuses on drug addiction.
Williams, a US daytime talk show host, explained that after filming, she does her pilates, and then attends several addiction meetings to observe before being taken to the sober house.
The only people who knew were her husband and son.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. For more information visit… https://t.co/QO106CQ0C8— Wendy Williams (@Wendy Williams) 1553013370
Williams talked about her previous addiction to cocaine, particularly how she never received treatment for it and was able to stop on her own in the past.
Her statements did not confirm or deny if her living situation was to ensure she doesn't relapse, or if it was to get a better sense of people who do have to go through therapy to become sober.
As she described it,
"You know I've had a struggle with cocaine in my past, and I never went to a place to get the treatment. I don't know how, except God was sitting on my shoulder and I just stopped.
"There are people in your family, it might be you, who've been struggling and I wanted to know more of the story. So this is my autobiographical story and I'm living it."
People online have praised Williams for giving these people a voice.
@people @PSYCHICTWINS That was really powerful this morning. 😢— Noah Bundonis (@Noah Bundonis) 1553019086
Williams continues her emotional talk, detailing her daily routine.
"After I go to the Pilates and go to several meetings all around town in the tri-state area and I see my brothers and sisters caught up in their addiction and looking for help. They don't know I'm Wendy. They don't care I'm Wendy.
"It's the brothers and sisters caught up in the struggle. It's been really interesting, this ride."
Afterwards, she says she's driven by her 24-hour sober coach to the house, where she stays. Her roommates are a "bunch of smelly boys" who she says have become like family.
Doors are locked at 10pm, before she wakes up the next morning to host her show.
As Williams states,
"Either you're calling me crazy or the bravest woman you know. I don't care."
Many would side with the 'brave' option.
I say bravest woman I know. @WendyWilliams finally speaks her truth about recovery. #WendyWilliams… https://t.co/Z1QRytTw85— Don Lemon (@Don Lemon) 1553007386
Wendy Williams just bravely admitted, live on her show, that she’s been living at a Sober House and attending meeti… https://t.co/Y6u1u9C2IW— Gia Peppers (@Gia Peppers) 1553007167
. @WendyWilliams you are a brave soul. #WendyWilliams— Ashlee White (@Ashlee White) 1553008303
As Williams described living in a sober house, she brought up The Hunter Foundation she started with her husband, Kevin Hunter. The non-profit works to give grants to help people with drug rehabilitation and educational programs.
After Reaching Six Months of Sobriety, Demi Lovato Celebrated with a Delicious Treat
Actress and singer Demi Lovato has now been sober for six months following her overdose last July 2018.
For her and her family, this is cause for celebration.
And they definitely didn't let the day go by without recognition!
6 months. ✊ keep going @ddlovato https://t.co/0B756c8d9D— Ryan Hampton (@Ryan Hampton) 1548543651
Fans sounded off in support of Lovato on Twitter, congratulating her on her progress:
@PopCrave @ddlovato omg this warms my heart! i love her sm ❤️😪— 💧jesse💧 (@💧jesse💧) 1548487299
@people That's awesome! Way to go, Demi. #sobriety— Mandi White (@Mandi White) 1548520434
@RyanForRecovery @ddlovato Dang. Already? Time flies. Go gurl!!!!— Christopher Dickie (@Christopher Dickie) 1548543872
Demi's team also celebrated by surprising her with a Susiecakes funfetti cake, which included a very special card:
"HAPPY 6 MO WE ARE SO F***ING PROUD Of YOU"
Demi Lovato is celebrating 6 months of sobriety in the best way possible. ❤️ https://t.co/r4xMIhPPhJ https://t.co/wJx7ZRPHLN— E! News (@E! News) 1548475232
Demi's fans were endlessly proud of her, and definitely wanted a piece of that cake if there was any left over...
@enews Also @SusieCakes is actual heaven on earth so another good move by @ddlovato 🍰— Gabby Gonta (@Gabby Gonta) 1548485852
@people Congrats, Demi! I’ve read one of your books! I used it as a devotional book! My quiet time with God! Why… https://t.co/RATTvRjNHe— Vicky Anger (@Vicky Anger) 1548520904
@people Way to go Demi! I am super proud of you! Keep being strong my friend! Love you from Arkansas!— joywat224469 (@joywat224469) 1548562458
Lovato also posted a picture of her six-month sobriety chip on Instagram. Sobriety is a major commitment, but the singer is taking it incredibly seriously.
@enews Im so proud of Demi!!— Dylan19 (@Dylan19) 1548480075
@enews SHE WILL BE SO HAPPY WITHOUT IT, GOD WILL BLESS HER,— JUDY BROWN (@JUDY BROWN) 1548517152
@1027KIISFM @ddlovato Proud of @ddlovato I know she can do it. Love you🙏💟— #MC (@#MC) 1548546113
Fans found Lovato's story heartwarming in the best possible way.
To remind herself of the pride of being six months sober, Lovato even treated herself to a new tattoo.
we 🖤 a 6 month sober reminder @ddlovato #demisnewtattoo https://t.co/GKoHeQJm9B— 🩺🌺nicole🌺🩺 (@🩺🌺nicole🌺🩺) 1548562347
Prior to last July, Lovato revealed in her song "Sober," that she had broken her previous six years of sobriety. In the song, she asked her parents to forgive her. A month later, she was taken to the hospital, reportedly for an overdose of Heroin and methamphetamines.
Now, however, the star is working towards sobriety once again, and her fans couldn't be prouder.
@PopCrave @ddlovato MY QUEEN. I'M SO PROUD OF HER. https://t.co/aH6lahDmi1— . (@.) 1548482380
Well done, Demi! She's kicking addiction's a**.
@PopCrave @ddlovato Queen of sobriety— Rep Ms. Swift (@Rep Ms. Swift) 1548481872