How can I be social when I do not drink alcohol?

[Anonymous]

Heey guys.
I have been stressing about a situation and I hope you guys can help. So I do not drink alcohol, but where I work there is heavy drinking environment. I have my personal reasons for not drinking and I do not like to tell everybody why I do not drink. But I want to be included in the group and I want to be a part of the team. There is a arrangement soon where my team will drink alcohol. How can I deal with that?

Updates

+1 y

So this is my new workplace and I want to be close with everyone so I need to go to the party hehe

[Reece12345]

This is a REALLY good question. I'm an alcoholic and I can't drink and it's very awkward and stressful when everyone else is drinking and they're putting pressure on you to drink also.

People will get offended easily if they notice that everyone is drinking except me. It's a social group activity, I guess, and for me it stands out like a sore thumb when I don't join in.

There's no easy answer -- I just drink non-alcoholic beverages and if someone offers me alcohol I just make up some excuse like, "it gives me a bad headache so I'm staying away". Or something like that.

[Reece12345]

Thanks for the MHO!

[HighValue]

It is usually not a good idea to be friends with people you intend to work with for very long. It often leads to problems either at work or outside of work in your friendships.

[Jessica405]

There's no shame in drinking apple or orange juice. Mineral water fine too. Ya don't need alcohol to enjoy yourself. Compromise... non alcoholic beer?

[jennifer_bloom]

I asked about this before and somebody said if you put a lime wedge in a glass of water, it will look like a drink. Or you could drink Diet Pepsi.

[purplepoppy]

Lot's of people don't drink for a whole host of reasons. There's no need to hide it. Just drink what you want.

[Flower7]

Just go to the party and do everything else but drink. Maybe no one will even notice.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Just socialise. Drink not and rap with others. I drink not due to health and spiritual reasons. My mum hates that fact, but she's not being social with me, not the contrary.

[tfan1]

Volunteer to be the designated driver. That way you can be with them and you won’t have to drink 🙂👍

[Iron_Man]

Have fruit punch have soda or soda water just be yourself and laugh. It doesn’t matter if you’re drinking alcohol

[joeldalton]

Like at a bar? Just order a club soda with cranberry and a twist of lime.

[Brando10222]

You don't have to drink. Just ho and have fun.