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Alcohol is a significant component of the social scene in many communities. But what if you want to completely avoid and say no to alcohol?
You can be recovering, or you might just be taking a break to see how it goes. Either way, you want to avoid and say no to alcohol during the evening. It can be unacceptable to decline booze, especially with individuals who have witnessed your drinking in the past.
These tips on how to say no and avoid alcohol can help you get through the scenario, whether you’ve decided to abstain from alcohol permanently or simply enjoy a night off.
Simply Say, “I Don’t Drink.”
It takes the most guts to respond this way, and it’s also the one that gets the most questions about why. Ideally, it should end the conversation, but you should be ready for the potential that you could have to put up with jokes or inquiries about your drinking habits.
People will eventually learn to understand that you have changed. You may become a role model among your peers if you are serious about recovering from alcoholism or want to end the absurdity of peer pressure to drink alcohol.
Opt For A Non-Alcoholic Drink
You could bring sodas or any other non-alcoholic beverages of your choice if you’re meeting friends outside. You’re less likely to be given a drink if you’re already carrying one, which helps you avoid potentially unpleasant interactions. Try searching for some non-alcoholic wines at Target.
If you want to go out to a pub, many offer alcoholic-free beers and non-alcoholic spirits. If you’d prefer, there are also always other options, such as soda, juice, or water.
You can also have a conversation with the bartender. It won’t harm you if you want to appear to be drinking. The majority of them won’t treat you differently because you don’t drink alcohol, and they serve everyone.
For instance, if you order a coke, you can request that it be served in the same glass as a vodka coke. There won’t be any suspicion because the two beverages appear to be identical. You may go one step further with cocktails and order one that doesn’t contain alcohol but ask the bartender to set it up and decorate it to look like it does.
Make Up Some Excuses
The blunt approach does not sit well with certain folks, as some of these authors note. You must choose an option that works best for you despite how totally understandable this is. If giving justifications for declining alcohol helps you feel more comfortable saying “no,” consider some of these suggestions:
- “My doctor advised me to stop drinking for a bit.”
- “I’m not drinking to reduce calories since I’m trying to lose weight,”
- “I drank too much last night and am still feeling the effects of the hangover.”
- “I take medication, and alcohol will interact poorly with it.”
- “I need to be in peak shape tomorrow since I have a huge presentation at work.”
- “I want to get up early tomorrow to workout and can’t be hungover.”
Make Use Of A Good Humor
Use your humor, particularly if you’re the life of the party or the friend who never fails to relieve the tension with a clever joke. Sarcasm can be disarming to some people and also conveys a message. You may think of some good jokes or phrases that’ll give you a pass if someone offers you to drink.
Be The Driver
The very best defense is this. For this reason—they want to hang out with friends but don’t want to drink—some people who quit alcohol volunteer to be the designated driver. This response furthers the crucial message to drive sober and sets a fantastic example for others.
Offer to be the designated driver since everyone should know the dangers of drinking and driving. Your buddies will appreciate you for sticking together, and you can enjoy your time out without worrying about drinking.
Everyone finds it challenging to say no to alcohol, but those giving it up or reducing their drinking find it more challenging. Up to a point, you can avoid places that serve alcohol. But eventually, someone you know might offer you a drink, or you might find yourself in a public setting where you don’t know everyone there.
You shouldn’t always explain your connection with alcohol or why you choose not to drink in these circumstances, especially if you feel they might not understand. To prevent being pressed harder, insulting your host, feeling humiliated, or disclosing a personal tale you aren’t ready to share, it can be beneficial to have a casual, courteous response ready.
Ways To Avoid And Say No To Alcohol FAQs
Here are some helpful recommendations for saying no to alcohol in advance and what to say when it is offered.
- Simply say, “I don’t drink.”
- Opt for a non-alcoholic drink
- Change the subject
- Make excuses
- Use physical cues
- Leave the event early
It can be challenging to refuse alcohol in the heat of the moment, particularly when facing peer pressure. Remember your main reasons for not drinking whenever one of these situations occurs.
There are many good reasons not to continue consuming alcohol. To say goodbye to hangovers, sleep better, drop extra weight, and have more energy is a lifestyle adjustment for some people. It could even be for a challenge, to support another person quitting drinking, or raise money for a good cause.
Nevertheless, here are some tips to help you quit or reduce alcohol consumption.
- Avoid temptation
- Try something new you might be interested in
- Inform your family and friends about your decision
- Reward your own progress
- Enjoy the benefits
- Choose supportive friends who don’t need alcohol to have fun.
- Be firm when declining the invitation to partake in alcohol.
- When declining an invitation to drink, make eye contact.
You must develop your refusal skills to achieve this. You can use effective statements, such as “No thanks, I don’t need it.”, “I am allergic to alcohol.”, and “No thank you, I am watching my calorie intake.”
Here are some tips to avoid alcohol completely if you struggled with alcoholism or you just simply want a drink.
- Recognize the triggers
- Plan ahead on how to say no and avoid alcohol
- Avoid tempting situations
- Cope with unavoidable triggers by leaving the situation or distracting yourself
