Question for those who quit drinking, permanently or even temporarily:

[Anonymous]

If you watch sports, every commercial is gambling or booze. Even during the game, announcers will say "Presented by Bud Light..." or whatever. And at the games, it seems every dad has to have beers while taking his kids to a game. Why? What is even the point of drinking two $20 each beers while with your kids? You're not even going to have a buzz. And why do you want a buzz with your kids? The whole thing is weird. They've programmed people to do this with intense advertising.

[Anonymous]

We drink water or seltzer. When friends have wine or drinks, usually they do the tip when we split the bill.

[Anonymous]

No, I don’t really notice it.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same way about junk food. Why as a society do we encourage people to eat large amounts of shitty food from birth? It’s so self-defeating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It's very pervasive.

Both spouse and I stopped drinking due to serious health issues. It's like our social group just dropped us b/c most of our friends' socializing evolves around drinks.

I wonder about splitting the bill if friends are drinking up large and I'm having iced water - not even Coca Cola now that sugar and diet drinks are not good either. Not drinking makes you realize how much drinking costs.

I would not expect a non drinking friend to split a bill with me if I am drinking. That is when you get separate checks.

[Anonymous]

Its been a while now for me.

Personally, the biggest issue is avoiding people knowing that I'm not drinking. It can lead to people assuming judgment, when that is not at all the case.

If I go to a bar event, I will go up to another bar myself in advance, to get a club soda with lime.

If I am at an event involving a wristband, I will buy the wristband even though I don't intend to drink.

Sometimes though, its unavoidable. One of my MIL knows and its somewhat uncomfortable for the topic to keep coming up..

At the same time, I am more and more happy as time goes on with not drinking. Better all around.

[Anonymous]

I fully agree with OP. I am very surprised how much alcohol is assumed, advertisted and embedded in so many parts of tv, entertainment and general conversations.

It doesn't make me want to drink more or anyting but to ignore the subte and not-so-suble messaging that is everywhere is nieve. People assume people drink and that is a way to connect. There are lots of ways to connect.

[Anonymous]

I more noticed how often some of my friends drink. It had become normal to me since I was a heavy drinker. Now I see them drinking 20-30 drinks a week and WOW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I don’t really notice it.

Same, and I drank heavily for years. Very heavily. Though I didn’t drink what was advertised on TV maybe. The vodka I bought was an actual preference.

Truthfully, I don’t want TV anymore either. I found more productive uses of my time.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to cut it down Oct 1st. Noticed how thin and what great skin my nondrinking 50+ friends have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way about junk food. Why as a society do we encourage people to eat large amounts of shitty food from birth? It’s so self-defeating.

AGREED! why can't we also discuss sugar addiction or junk food addiction???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its been a while now for me.

Personally, the biggest issue is avoiding people knowing that I'm not drinking. It can lead to people assuming judgment, when that is not at all the case.

If I go to a bar event, I will go up to another bar myself in advance, to get a club soda with lime.

If I am at an event involving a wristband, I will buy the wristband even though I don't intend to drink.

Sometimes though, its unavoidable. One of my MIL knows and its somewhat uncomfortable for the topic to keep coming up..

At the same time, I am more and more happy as time goes on with not drinking. Better all around.

Why are you ashamed of it? I don’t drink and it’s a nonissue, not something to hide.

[Anonymous]

Oh good, we haven't had a judgemental, holier than thou alcohol is evil post in day or two. Are are you really bothered by ads for alcohol, OP, or is this work you're paid to do by the cannabis industry? If the former, you must have a lot of extra time on your hands for such a unimportant post.

[Anonymous]

I'm a person who never drinks and I barely notice - kind of like I live in a walkable city and don't have a car, and barely notice car commercials. It just falls into the category of "things that don't apply to me at all."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a while now for me.

Personally, the biggest issue is avoiding people knowing that I'm not drinking. It can lead to people assuming judgment, when that is not at all the case.

If I go to a bar event, I will go up to another bar myself in advance, to get a club soda with lime.

If I am at an event involving a wristband, I will buy the wristband even though I don't intend to drink.

Sometimes though, its unavoidable. One of my MIL knows and its somewhat uncomfortable for the topic to keep coming up..

At the same time, I am more and more happy as time goes on with not drinking. Better all around.

Why are you ashamed of it? I don’t drink and it’s a nonissue, not something to hide.

I am this PP and am definitely in no way ashamed of not drinking, whatsoever.

At the same time, I like to avoid being grilled on it... avoid having assumptions made... avoid having to filter my responses to questions about my personal reasons for not drinking...etc.