Simka

I arrived in Florida today for a weekend meeting with my company. We are staying in a beautiful hotel on the beach. It has been very relaxing lying out by the ocean. I'm nervous however for the upcoming evening. I'm relatively new and don't know many people in the company. We have a cocktail welcome reception out on the beach from 7pm-10pm. This would be a situation that I would definitely need to drink in order to relax and be sociable.

I'm only 8 days sober so this will be my first experience in a situation like this, without drinking. I'm nervous, but I know I can do it. I plan on keeping a drink in my hand the whole time (sprite, water, coke).

Trying to keep my eyes on the prize of sobriety!

DoubleDragons

Cranberry with lime worked great for me (wasn't so obvious I wasn't drinking and didn't bring any questions as to why I wasn't drinking, with it)

83mama0f2

Coke with a lime wedge! Looks like a cocktail, but isn't. No one will question you and you can still enjoy yourself.

Mentium

Iced water - vodka straight up. They'll think you are a killer!

honeypie

Simka! Wonderful setting to enjoy SOBER!

Have a non alcoholic beverage...and think of how great you will feel tomorrow morning, awakening to look out over that beautiful beach...others will be awaking with headaches..diarrhea...regret...

But not you!!

First impressions in the new company = you will not be a drunk idiot!!

Enjoy your triumphant sobriety - 8 days rocks!!!

You can do it.

ScottFromWI

It's definitely possible, but make sure you have an "out" too if the situation gets too overwhelming. Don't be afraid to just leave, just say you aren't feeling well ( which wouldn't be lying! )

Simka

Ha! Thanks for the laugh!

Simka

Absolutely, great suggestion!

Flying4Life

Why not go for a virgin strawberry dacquiri or other fancy mocktail? Bring a positive attitude, look your best, and don't forget to smile, you never know who you could meet! Have fun socializing on the beach!

honeypie

Simka, I hope you made it through the cocktail event.

Keep posting!

ClearLight

If anybody asks - and the vast majority won't - you can always say you don't drink. You don't like how it effects you. You don't like the health aspects. No more needs to be said.

Here's a list of non-drinkers - past and present.

Everybody from Al Pacino to Sarah Silverman to Kat Dennings to Frank Zappa. I would have loved to see someone try to hassle Frank Zappa about not drinking.

List of teetotalers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mentium

Sadly Frank smoked like a chimney though.

Correy

Great post!! That is what I was saying during my last long sober streak, sometimes adding "I'm allergic to alcohol" and sometimes even stating, "I don't drink because I am an alcoholic."

Nothing to be ashamed of, while sober

Wharf Rat

I have to go to Vegas in January for work and talk about dreading a situation I would normally thrive in! I feel your pain, good luck and like everyone said you can "blend in"..at least it beats the alternative which is making a fool out of yourself in front of your new co-workers.

lastcallsunday

I had the same concerns about not drinking at a company function. However I actually enjoyed mingling with a diet coke and lime wedge, observing others and thinking to myself "I'm really glad I'm not that guy..."

lastcallsunday

Because I've been "that guy" and i sucks!!

Toffee1

You will be really surprised I think when you see people's reactions. The vast majority of people won't even notice you are not drinking believe me. A glass of tonic looks exactly the same as a glass of gin and tonic! If anyone does notice then just say you don't drink and then you can be the cool interesting one who stands out from the rest! Best of luck and don't think too hard about it , nobody else will!

countingdays

Just remember where the drink will take you and how you will feel in the morning. If it becomes an issue, you can always say that you are on antibiotics/recovering from a cold.