No Thanks!

(Why I'm not drinking right now)

I'm taking medication  I'm pregnant(trying to get, trying to get my wife)  Drinking with this moon makes me totally psychotic  I'm sick and trying to recover  Designated driver  "No thanks, I'm dieting"...  "No thanks, I've been tired all day and it'll just make me sleepy"  "My liver is on vacation"   "I'm not drinking for a month. Kind of a New Year's resolution."    Bring a NA beer and pour in a glass and people won't notice.  Or you can always say No thanks.  No I'm driving.  No I'm trying to lose weight.  No I'm on some medication and can't drink.  No I have to eat something first I'll get one later.  I have found drinking virgin mary's are a good substitute.  And for people moderating making a bloody mary with beer instead of vodka is a way to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.  You can make one beer last all afternoon.  "I'm in training for a marathon."    Actually when I did my 30 (Jan 98)..without a long explanation about MM, I told most people the truth..that I was abstaining for 30 days to lower my tolerance and change my drinking habits.  I was amazed at the number of people who said, "that's great" or "I should do the same" or "I wish I could do that."   Just ask "why ARE you drinking?" and watch the mayhem of justification begin.   Great comments for refusing a drink.  1) I am going to play soccer later but I will take a coke if you have one. (This one worked but everyone laughed at the thought of me playing soccer.) 

2) No thank you, I'm taking medication.  (Forget this one I would never say that.)  3) You know what I would really like?  A glass of water. (This has worked.)  4)  I'd rather "eat" my calories than "drink" them.  5)I just worked out...(training for a marathon)....I'd love a glass of water.    ******************************  I remember being very concerned at social situations..."what will people think if I refuse a drink?"  The reality is that very few people notice...or care..I remember being at a business meeting with someone who I knew was a big drinker...he ordered a vodka tonic..I had a club soda...he asked why I wasn't drinking...told him I had an early breakfast meeting and it never came up...he went on to have 4 drinks and after the first round...never noticed that I wasnt drinking.  When abstaining at a larger function, I was also surprised at how many other people did not drink...never noticed them when I do drink.  I used to be very concerned about making up reasonable excuses for not drinking..not any more...The question.."why are you not drinking?" is a much easier question to answer than..."why DID you drink like THAT last night?"