Originally Posted by
FreeOwl 
Why do you feel it necessary to tell your friend a half-truth about why you're not drinking?
It's an easy way to have the conversation and move past it. I don't think anyone would press if I just say it's so I can follow my current training and diet plans. Nor do I have to share intimate details of my drinking habits/problems. I respect anyone who just comes out and says "I'm an alcoholic and I quit" but that also carries with it a negative connotation of somebody with a problem, and don't think it always has to come out that way.