Life Without Alcohol – 13 Tips To Help You Live Without Alcohol
Want to live a life without alcohol? Here’s how you can socialize without alcohol and/or minimize drinking alcohol in your life.
Let’s chat about a life without alcohol.
Here are 13 tips to help you socialize and have a life without alcohol.
I’ve never been a massive drinker (just a few drinks on occasion and only in a social setting) but lately I have been toying with the idea of seeing if it was possible to give up alcohol altogether.
My husband did so over five years ago without missing alcohol whatsoever.
Yet because I have never felt that strongly about it, I didn’t follow suit because I honestly didn’t see the harm in having the occasional drink.
(FYI – I still don’t see the harm in it if it’s only occasionally – for non-alcohol dependent drinkers. Everything in moderation! This post is definitely not about preaching that we all must ditch alcohol forever!)
Instead this post is all about what you CAN do if you are trying to minimize the amount of alcohol you drink in a social setting.
Let’s be honest – there is a lot of pressure to drink when others do in a social setting.
For the most part this pressure is subtle and no one ever overtly says YOU NEED TO DRINK IF YOU WANT TO BE ONE OF US.
But the expectation is often there for guests to have at least one drink when socializing – which is fine if that’s what you want to do, but trickier when you are consciously choosing to drink less or eliminate alcohol altogether.
If you feel self-conscious about not drinking alcohol at personal and professional gatherings, it’s time to relax.
Let me start by saying you are not alone.
There are many reasons why adults choose to forego the alcohol, including health issues, religious beliefs, and various individual preferences.
In fact, about one-third of adult Americans don’t drink any alcohol, and another third consume less than one alcoholic beverage per week, according to government figures.
Now it’s time to discover how easy it is to have fun with friends without drinking alcohol or feeling the pressure to do so.
What to Do About Drinking
If you’re struggling with alcohol dependence, seeking support will help you deal with serious issues that may come up during your recovery.
Otherwise, here are some practical strategies that you (and anyone else wanting to cut down on alcohol) can use to help you enjoy social setting without the obligatory cocktails.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 1 – Fill your glass.
Avoid awkward questions by keeping a drink in your hand or by your plate.
Others will assume that you’ve been served.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 2 – Bring your own.
Most hosts are likely to offer nondrinkers more options than plain old tap water.
Still, you can guarantee that your favorites will be on hand by presenting them with a bottle of limeade or a six-pack of non-alcoholic beer.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 3 Offer to drive.
Save lives by volunteering to be the designated driver for the evening.
Many bars will thank you by letting you drink for free.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 4 – Eat something.
Cocktails are easier to resist on a full stomach.
Have a hearty meal or snack before you go out.
Check out the buffet table or snack plates if you get hungry again.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 5 – Look ahead.
Boost your motivation by anticipating how fresh and alert you’ll feel in the morning.
You may also have more money in your pocket when you give up drinking alcohol because in case you haven’t guessed, alcohol is more expensive to purchase when out.
What to Do About Socializing
Maybe you drink because you feel it’s expected or because it makes it easier for you to mingle.
Take a look at some alternative ways to connect with family, friends, and business contacts.
Deal Alcohol, we had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter and a better dancer. I saw the video. We need to talk.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 6 – Talk it over.
If your decision to quit drinking will be a major change, let your loved ones know how you feel.
Discuss your hopes and concerns about giving up alcohol.
Explain what kind of support you need to help you socialize without drinking alcohol.
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TIP # 7 – Rehearse your response.
It’s up to you how much you want to tell strangers and acquaintances about your decision not to drink.
If so, simple versions usually work best.
Tell them you feel better without alcohol or you have to be up early in the morning.
You technically don’t owe anyone an explanation so only share with others what you feel comfortable sharing.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 8 – Prepare for small talk.
Practice networking and hanging out without alcohol.
Put together a few topics for conversation.
You can google conversation starters for some ideas.
Plus, if you show others that you’re interested in them, they’ll probably like anything you have to say.
LIFE WITHOUT ALCOHOL
TIP # 9 – Arrive late.
Time your arrival for when the party is reaching full swing if you are worried about the pressure to drink.
It will make it easier to feel festive and blend in.
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TIP # 10 – Help out.
Looking for ways to assist others will take your focus off yourself.
Ask your host if you can collect coats or peel lemons or do whatever else they need help with.
Talk to a guest who is looking for someone to chat with.
Get involved with conversations without the need to have a drink in your hand.
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TIP # 11 – Suggest other activities.
Lots of places serve up entertainment without any alcohol.
Go see a play or visit a science museum.
Take a walk through a public garden or go hiking at your nearest mountain range.
You can easily keep busy and active with friends without being in an alcohol-drinking social setting.
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TIP # 12 – Make new friends.
People who care about you will be happy to make any adjustments they can to support your decision.
On the other hand, you might benefit from widening your circle to include more nondrinkers who want to go out for coffee or whatever else. Not everyone in this world is a drinker.
Advance planning and clear communications make it simple to socialize without alcohol.
Yes, it can be done!
You can definitely enjoy interesting conversations and entertaining activities just as much whether you fill your glass with champagne or cranberry juice.
It’s your choice and your decision to limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
Let people worry about what they do in their own lives and you focus on your own.
If you want to drink less alcohol because it’s the healthier option go ahead and do it!
Your life, your body, your choice, your rules!
I know I was an alcoholic because I was preoccupied whether alcohol was going to be served or not. Betty Ford
Drunkenness is nothing more than voluntary madness. Seneca
Drinking makes such fools of people and people are such fools to begin with, that it’s compounding a felony. Robert Benchley
Alcohol is probably the easiest substance to abuse, because the potential is there. It’s legal and it’s available. Lance Penny
Because alcohol is encouraged by our culture, we get the idea that it isn’t dangerous. However alcohol is the most potent and most toxic of the legal psychoactive drugs. Beverly A Potter and Sebastian Orfail
Some people can handle alcohol. You know who you are. Some people can’t handle alcohol. The police know who you are. Gabriel Iglesias
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.