The entire world didn't stop drinking; you did. As a legal drug, alcohol will be present on the peripheral of your life forever. Other people are going to drink. Since alcohol is primarily a "social use" drug, you will be offered a drink many times from now on. Even when you say "No, thank you," some people continue to pressure you to drink. This is, of course, extremely rude, but you are not in control of other peoples' behavior; the only person you can control is you. You do not owe anyone an explanation of why you're refusing his or her offer of a drink. Abstinence was your decision, and you need not justify that decision ever. Just be prepared for the question. Let's take a look at your options for responding when you are offered alcohol:

• "No, thank you. I don't like alcohol. Do you have a Coke?" Most people will let it go at that. Others are more persistent and demand a reason why you will not drink although they are not entitled to know the reason. "I told you, I don't like alcohol. May I have something else?"



• Tell the truth. "No thanks, I'm not drinking anymore because I was drinking too much. So I quit." Again, most polite people will accept your decision and support your sobriety. Either the people in your life will get it, or they won't. Those who get it won't pressure you. Those who don't get it, will. Come on, just one drink won't hurt you. Yes it will, and you know it! One is too many, and a thousand isn't enough. "No, thank you. I said don't drink anymore, okay?" Put a little "back off, dude" into your voice. This is not rudeness on your part; you are simply being assertive and sticking to your decision.



• Lie! Make up some really good ones! Chances are, people won't pressure you if they believe your lie (which they will). And don't worry about lying to people about something that is none of their business anyway. "Oh, I can't drink alcohol. My doctor says it gives me severe migraines." There are several variations of this lie that work just fine: "Alcohol makes my acid reflux disease much worse." "I always feel sick when I drink." The best one: "I'm on some medications that I can't mix with alcohol." What medications, your nosy host asks. Your response? My high blood pressure medication. My cholesterol medication. My birth control pills. The acetaminophen (Tylenol) that I take for my bad back. (Most people know that acetaminophen and alcohol can be a deadly combination)



• "I really don't want to talk about it." If this doesn't shut them up, nothing will! Then it's just time to leave.