I went to a meeting where a woman confessed that she has not even been to a restaurant in over a year to avoid alcohol. Not everyone can do that.
To the person that took the shot that is interesting. I don't have children but people are full of stigmas. I think my alcohol issues have been a topic that I just chose to ignore and it has been discussed. So people are more looking to see if I can get drunk. I think in the future that I would have the will power to do what you did and be fine. It isn't the first drink or the second it is the thought that I can drink on a regular basis. 3-4 weeks in back to my old self. But I thought binge drinking was the way to drink, it is how I learned to drink so that is part of the problem.
My psychologist told me to tell my dates that I am allergic to alcohol.
I also know people who just slowly spill it on to the floor.
But I agree that saying you are on a cleanse or whatever. I have considered just telling the next person in my life that I have had issues with alcohol and my life is just better with out.
It is so hard especially if you don't want people to know your struggle.