Originally Posted by
ForestFrenzy 
Worrying about what my colleagues would think of me if I didn't have at least a glass of wine in hand, is what ultimately saw the end of my 3 year sobriety and the beginning of a 3 month relapse back into Hell.
My advice: prepare ahead of time if you know you are going to be around alcohol. "No thank you" is perfectly acceptable as a response and nothing more need be said.
In fact, I remember going to work dinners and being the only one not drinking, gave me a sense of pride.
Happy you didn't give in. For all you know, that drink could have been the beginning of the end.
Exactly "no, thanks" is more that sufficient. I hate it when people ask WHY you are not drinking.
None of your damn business, no means no. There could be many reasons; antibiotics but they don't want to make a fuss, an early pregnancy, they simply don't like the taste and rarely drink...
or...
they are a recovering alcoholic.
I am already rehearsing in my head saying NO and standing my ground and not giving justifications. It is nobody's business.