I quit drinking 10 years ago. The problem is people still get offended if I don't have a drink with them.?

Question

What can i do or say? I am happy not drinking, but people keep buying or giving me drinks, when i told them countless times..I din't drink. then they knid of don't talk to me and shrug their shoulder as if i am crazy..help

Answer 1

Tell them your side. Why it is that you dont drink. If you tell them countless times, then they are just disrespecting you.

You need to put your foot down and just tell them straight up why you dont drink. They should just respect your wishes.

Answer 2

Why would someone buy you a drink or hand you a drink without checking with you FIRST to see what you want?  These people have no concept of good sense OR good manners.

My husband went through an alcohol abuse program 5 years ago.  So we no longer keep alcohol in the house and we don't drink when we go out with friends.  If someone tries to force the issue, I smile at them very sweetly and say, "The doctor said he can't drink and I'd rather like to still be married to him 20 years from now."  And if they want to make an issue of why I don't drink, I remind them that since hubby has vision problems, I'm the driver ... and all it takes to give me the giggles and the fuzzies is one drink.  

So when you're out, keep a bottle of water in your hands.  If anyone tries to hand you a drink, show them the bottle and say thanks, I already have all I need.  And start looking for a better class of friends who don't focus their socializing around alcohol.

Answer 3

I quit drinking 16 years ago.

I don't give a rat's *** what other people think. I'm an alcoholic with 16 years' sobriety under my belt. People can say or think what they want about me. I don't care...because I'm proud of my sobriety and I won't sacrifice it. Period.

Don't say anything. It's your choice...and they should respect it.

EMT

Answer 4

I quit drinking years ago, and I experienced the same thing.  Eventually I noticed that the people who seemed the most determined that I drink something alcoholic were the people who had the most problems with drinking.  I just started telling people that they don't want to see me drink, because I get so nasty, and then I move on to another topic.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a lot of friends who are drunks possibly?

I've never been a big drinker and also I quit smoking pot long before a lot of my friends did, so saying no isn't new to me.

Just explain, no offense, but alcohol doesn't agree with you well, they can do as they please and you enjoy their company just the same.  

They may be disappointed because their agenda gets spoiled when they know you aren't going to get sauced with them.   Considering that, possibly you should find some new social outlets?

Answer 6

This is a difficult situation for you. My parents were alcoholics so I do not drink. My family is genetically programmed to be

drunks. I can't take that chance. I find people do try to force

alcohol on you. I also think if they secretly feel they have a drinking problem they want other people drinking around them so it doesn't seem so bad. I have either told people I am

taking meds and can';t take alcohol or tell them outright that my parents were alcoholics. That really shuts them up. If they keep pushing you leave and drop the friendship because these people are not friends. Friends do not try to sabotage their friends lives.

Answer 7

Just tell them you don't drink alcohol.. that you can still have a good time.. people have no right to ask you why... or come up with a white lie.. say that you had a liver infection 10 years ago and your doctor strongly forbade you to drink alcohol as this problem could come back if you drink alcohol.. Let them think what they want.. those who are real friends won't judge you for whatever reason. even if you said.. No sorry.. I used to be an alcoholic 10 years ago.. I went through h**l.. I became sober and I never touch this stuff again.. then those who are friends will admire you and those who are false friends who cares about their opinion anyhow... xx

Answer 8

You need to evaluate it you want to keep haning out with these people.  I have several friends that are heavy drinkers and while I could never keep up with them I did drink with them.  Post heart surgery I am on medication that limits me to about 2 beers before I pass out.  I have told them many times that I can't drink more, but like you they continue to try to buy me a drink etc.  After about a year of this, they have finally stopped, knowing that it's not that I don't want to be social (or drunk) with them, but that I just can't.  If they aren't good enough friends to respect your position it may be time to find a non-drinking crowd to hang out with.

Answer 9

Tell them that you are allergic to alcohol. A lot of people are. Tell them that if you take even a sip then they are going to have to rush you to the hospital before your body starts to shut down and you die. That will make em stop!!

Or you could hang out with a new crowd!

Answer 10

It ALWAYS works to smile, thank them and say, "I'm a recovering alcoholic, so I'm going to delcline."

Whether you are or not, no one will push the issue : )

Answer 11

Sounds like your friends have a "misery loves company" problem. Maybe you should strike out and find another group of friends that don't drink. I'm not saying you should forsake your current friends, unless drinking is the only form of "fun" that they care to imbibe in. If I were one of your friends, I'd be like "cool, a built in designated driver, in case I get too 'woozy'".

Answer 12

Wow, that's definitely not cool at all. Sounds like they aren't 'real' friends.

If you decided 10 years ago that drinking wasn't for you and gave it up, I as your friend would be proud of you, and would certainly not make you an object of ridicule.

Answer 13

I would consider what kinds of friends those were.  If they are trying to sabatoge you, I would be leery.   Some people know they should be giving up drinking, but it's easier to make others drink with them than for them to stop drinking.  They are trying to bring you down to their level, rather than rise to yours.

Answer 14

Well, look at it this way...Being crazy is better than drinking. JK, JK. But, really, it's not a real consern if you've already stopped drinking. It's good that your saying no, and that's the best part. However, If it's your friends that your worried about, and you want them to stop asking, even though you've told them hundreds of times, maybe it's time to get a couple of new friends that won't bother you about it so much. Keep your old friends, if you really like them, just get some new friends that won't continually ask you to drink. Hope I helped.