Originally Posted by Troae

#1: Don't ever apologize for stating how you feel. That's what this place is for. I fully get what you're going through with family and friends. Always trying to talk you out of it, always trying to convince you that you don't have a problem. Guess what? They're not the judge of that. You are. Period. I've come to the conclusion that the vast majority of their behavior is intended to mask their guilt over own consumption habits. Here's a trick that I've been having a lot of fun with lately. I call it, "Hiding my NOT drinking". I simply get a handy stash of non-alcoholic beverages that LOOK like they could be regular booze. Iced tea is great, but I know how you Brits just LOATHE iced tea! :-) Apple juice works, or cranberry juice if you're a wine drinker. If you're in charge of the pouring, just keep your glass full of your non-alcoholic beverage of choice, and no one will be the wiser. I've prepared entire dinner parties with a glass of non-alcoholic grape juice in my hand whilst everyone else imbibed. It never even becomes a topic of conversation. Peace.