Rd2quit

Sometimes people ask me why I don't drink anymore. I always tell them "I just feel better since I stopped drinking" which of course is the truth.

wildflower70

Who shall I explain it too? My cat? LOL.....

I don't go places where people are drinking....

blazen

Most of the time there is no explanation necessary. If someone asks, I'll say, "I'm taking a break or trying to lose some weight." I prefer not to make any dramatic announcements that I've quit drinking forever. My decision not to drink is mine only. The reasons are mine only. We don't owe any excuses.

MyLittleHorsie

OMG you never argue with a cat....
6am meow why am I not fed
Because I fed you at 5:30
It wasn't enough, I am wasting away
You weigh 18 freaking pounds!

I simply leave it at no thanks, I'm good. I had a ton of reasons early on, complete waste of time coming up with them, was never asked. 🤣 Who I do get asked by, teens, the kids who ride at the farm, travel with us showing, work with me in the therapeutic programming. Those kids, I figure are sorting it out in their own minds. For them I acknowledge I did drink, but I don't anymore. Very nonchalant, not my thing anymore, waste of time and money, too old now, booze never really agreed with me. It really only is a big deal to the alcoholic. To realize our actions are so insignificant in others lives, such a blow to our ridiculous egos.

ciowa

When I was drinking, I don't remember ever asking or caring why others weren't drinking. A few times I offered a beer or drink to people who politely declined and my thought was "Ok, thats just more for me" and forgot about it.

As a binge drinker, there were other times when I was around drinkers but not drinking, even in bars as the DD. Even then I don't remember strangers asking me, let alone pressing, as to why I wasn't drinking.

Around drinking buddies in my binge drinking days, I might refuse a beer and I might get asked "you on the wagon?" and I'd just explain "just giving it a rest for a bit" and they would say "Cool" and we'd go on with the night. Around drinking buddies I think everyone has stopped at least for awhile and others go on to quit permanently so seeing regular drinkers not drinking wasn't a big thing either because it was also a part of the drinking cycle we were familiar with.

When we heard someone quit or they told us they quit, a usual reply was "yeah, I should do that too" or "I've been thinking about that but not going to do it right now"

Zebra1275

I've reached my 60's and I'm rarely in situations where much drinking is going on.

If I am, I order a diet coke. Nobody asks and nobody cares.

nez

Because alcohol distorts reality and my head already does a good enough job at that without any additional help. :~)

Fearlessat50

Derringer

It really is the biggest non event in sobriety.

I planned so many things to say because I was sure everyone would push push push on why I wasn't drinking and no one cared.

HeadEast

I'm in my 60's also and am the same as you, other than the Diet Coke part.

Delilah1

I remember thinking about this a lot in my first year of sobriety, and as time wore on I realized I was the only one thinking about it. I now just say I don’t drink, and nobody questions it.

SnoozyQ

I think we overthink it.

I just say no thanks.

I did get asked only once " who doesnt drink "?? Why not ??
I laughed it off and said 'me' lol.
Then he asked why would you not drink?
I just replied " why do you want to know" ? Lol ended the convo stat ! Lol

DriGuy

Hear, hear! For me it was getting caught up in my need to honestly disclose my past guilt and shame, apologize, and then explain the necessary details and nuances of so called recovery in alcoholism. It was almost like I felt like I had to apologize for not drinking. OK, I didn't actually take it that far. I'm just trying to create an impression about the explosion of confusion I used to feel in my brain when confronted with the question.

The actual question is about as empty as some of the crap we come up with to answer it. The person asking it may just be making conversation and not expecting you to read to him aloud from the Big Book.

I had a professor in a counseling make a point to the class one time, "If someone asks where a bathroom is, you don't have to ask him if he often has the need to urinate. Maybe he just needs to pee." I'm not sure this metaphor directly mirrors what we are talking about, but I agree; We tend to overthink that particular answer.

The whole issue is compounded because there is such a large array of possible responses to the person asking. They range from kicking him as hard as you can in his shin to getting down on our knees and begging him to forgive you. Getting into the details is optional, depending how much you want to bore the guy.

D122y

Last night I said...I quit...it was causing me health issues. I have never felt so good in my life.

mic drop.

Nothing else.

There is not a drinker on this planet that wakes up feeling better because they drank.

There is always regret, it is just masked by the addiction.....at all levels.

Amen.

Thanks.

zerothehero

Sometimes I joke that I exceeded my lifetime rations before age 50.

If I want the person out of my face I tell them alcohol gives me explosive diarrhea.

Derringer

🤣🤣🤣😂😂

t1psy

When asked if i want a drink I just say no thanks. I rarely get asked why. Nobody cares. The very few times I have been asked why I just say i don't feel like it and leave it at that.

Reid82

Here in Ireland, you're nearly thought of as some strange leper if you don't drink- trust me, the tales about alcohol/alcohol abuse here are not exaggerated.

I've gotten over the phase about making excuses for not drinking now, a simple - "No thank you, I don't drink" will suffice now. I don't owe anyone anymore of an explanation.

Bonniefloyd

Verdantia

Hey, melki-the vast majority of the people I encounter don't seem to care at all, and on the rare occasions when someone presses it I just say that I don't drink anymore. I don't. It's been 4 years of sobriety for me, and I never want to go back to that hell of my own making. I salute your 5 sober years and simply saying " I don't drink."