To ask if you don't drink, what are your reasons for not doing so?

[JustAskingForAFriend]

Chatting to a friend the other day and she was saying about a new wine shed tried and had I tried it. I said no, I don't particularly like wine or any alcohol for that matter.
She was like really? Why?
I said I just don't.
Then it got me thinking.
I used to drink.. A LOT. as a late teen early 20s. So to be honest I think it's the case of I feel like I've had 'my drinking days'. Coupled with the fact of a particular drink made me mega sick (. My fault for drinking more than I could handle lol) it put me off. So I think I've eliminated most drinks as th e thought makes me feel sick lol..
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Heartburn.

I’ve been off the the booze for over 3 years now and aside from the very occasional beer I think I’ll stay this way. Mainly because it makes me feel so unbelievably rubbish the next day, even just a couple of small glasses of wine.

I wish I could risk small amounts and not feel rubbish, having the odd glass is a nice thing to do.

However, up to that point, well, certainly up to having DD in my late 30s, I was a very big drinker.

Being around visibly drunk people makes me quite anxious.

My sister was an alcholic, slipped while drunk and hit her head and died at 51, leaving children behind. Put me right off, watching her drink and deny it for 30 years.

Don’t like the taste of it.
If I do drink something it has to be something like wine and lemonade (mainly lemonade)

Don’t like the taste of alcohol and it really really doesn’t agree with my body. (Agonising stomach pains for days after drinking)

About 15 years ago I got sick and tired of being sick and tired!

So I joineed AA, and in a couple of weeks it will be 13 years since I drank alcohol!

Also severe depression for the next few days after drinking.

The main reason is that I don't like the taste, and the WHO says that there is no safe level of alcohol.
I choose not to, but I don't care what anyone else does.

Don’t like the taste and couldn’t be bothered with a hangover after I had my kids and also would prefer to spend money on other things

I drink wine occasionally and I like amaretto but DH doesn't drink at all because he doesn't really like taste of alcohol even in food so doesn't like beef in red wine or steak and ale pie or sherry in trifle, also his father died when he was 15 in alcohol related work accident if he had been sober it would not have happened

Lots of drinking and partying as a teenager. Had my first DC at 22 and just never really bothered. It wasn't really normal to drink when I was growing up as my mum never bothered either.
I admit I find it odd how alcohol is normalised in our society. To the extent of a glass of wine or more every night is frequently discussed as something that just happens but other drugs are frowned upon. (medication, tobacco, illegal drugs etc not that I agree with abusing them either but I see them as all the same)
Although I hate wine so

I'm an ex drug addict, I clearly have an addictive personality so I very, very rarely drink. I have MH problems which are controlled well by medication but I don't like the thought of taking anything to upset the chemical balance.

Can't remember when I last had a unit.
I don't like the taste, not a fan of vomiting or being out of control, am able to relax or have a fun time without it, too many calories, too much expense, and vividly remember the anti-alcohol talk I attended in a hospital (for the staff) pointing out it is actually brain poison.
Oh, and have seen too many friends/family suffer from ill effects from going blind ('blind drunk' sound familiar, anyone?), relationship breakdown, oesophageal cancer, bleeding to death from oesophageal varices, cirrhosis, acute poisoning - around 7 deaths, all 'messy', kind of puts you off, really.

Had my gallbladder removed and drinking anything with alcohol in it makes my face, neck and chest go bright red now. I feel red hot and I itch like crazy. This includes cough mixture that also sometimes has alcohol in it. It's not fun so I avoid. I am designated driver and cheap date!!

It's bad for your health, alcohol is not something your body needs.

I have the very occasional gin and tonic but very rarely. It’s because I don’t like alcohol.

I had a lot of drink in my younger years and by the time I got to say 25 I was kind of done. I rarely drink now and if I do it’s fruit beer or cider and just a few of them. I have toddlers aswell and I just can’t be doing with the hangover.

I don't like how it makes me feel. Even a couple of glasses makes me feel like I need to go to sleep and gives me a headache.

Like you, I used to drink a lot as a teen/early 20s. Now I don’t enjoy the burning sensation of drinking alcohol or the acidic taste of wine etc (DP calls prosecco liquid indigestion) and although I sometimes fancy a beer or something, it’s just because I want something cold and fizzy so I have sparkling water or coke.

I do like feeling a little bit tipsy so will drink occasionally (once a year or so) with friends but I still have alcohol in the fridge I bought last Xmas and never opened!! I sometimes buy stout or cider for cooking with, maybe slurp the top of the can, then remember why I don’t like it!

I just never started

And hangovers. Oh my god the hangovers.

It just never occurs to me to drink. I don't particularly like either the effect or the taste and I don't need it to be sociable.

I can't say I never drink though - but near as dammit - maybe two glasses of wine a year.

Luckily DS1 (ASD) is 18 and hasn’t ever drunk alcohol, he just doesn’t like the idea or the smell of it. Has saved me a lot of worry when he goes out with friends . DS2 is shaping up to be a lot more like I was as a teen, unfortunately!

I'm 37 and rarely drink. I'm not totally tee total in the sense that I might have a single glass of champagne if I was at a wedding or a small glass of wine if I was out for dinner but it's very unusual that I'd have a drink.

My reasons...

It's expensive...I'd rather spend £7 on a new lipstick or some nice chocolates than a bottle of wine.

Alcohol won't make me look any better and at 37, I need all the help I can!

Due to my upbringing, I don't associate alcohol with fun like a lot of people do...I associate it with misery.

And finally because I cringe at the stereotype of mums drinking wine...wine o'clock huns, prosecco o'clock etc etc

Oh also. My dad is a binge drinker so I’ve put up with enough crap over the years and it puts me off. I also leave places if I’m sober and there’s drunk people etc for this reason