If your friends are anything like mine, they will tell you that the alcohol will help you get over your illness, (it's medicinal) and expect you to drink anyways. I have been seriously teeling people that I just got back blood tests from the doctor, (which I did), and that I have found out that I am alergic to alcohol, (which I did). Most people won't put 2 and 2together, and you can lay low and not be expected to drink ever again. I'm not sure how my close drinking buddies would take it, (haven't seen them in a couple of months, and telling them out right that I quit when I do), but for anyone else it works pretty well.