New Job/ Cocktail night dilemma

[AutovillaGirl]

I have been in my new job for 2 days, one of the girls is having a Cocktail Making evening for her birthday to which I've been invited. I don't want to go but feel that if I don't I will appear antisocial. I gave up drink after having problems with it in the past and now just going into a pub makes me anxious. What shall I do? If I just make an excuse of being busy I've a feeling they will change the date to fit me in.

They’ll do mocktails.

Dry January?

Are you nervous being around people who are drinking, or is that OK? If you're alright with it I'd go and have mocktails. You can say you're doing Dry January if you need an excuse, then say you feel so much better for it you're doing Dry 2020.

Be honest, there is likely to be times where you are invited to pubs again and you can’t keep making excuses each time. People will admire your honesty. Just say you don’t drink and don’t really enjoy being around alcohol.