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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Tell me about the people in your life that dont drink alcohol

131 replies

Netcurtainnelly · 15/12/2025 16:15

Fed up of hearing about all.the drinking posts on here.

Let's hear if for the people who dont drink or dont drink much and dont want to be pissed up all the time or live with drunks and all the hell that brings.

Myself and Mr NC Nelly.

Drink alcohol rarely.
Like Tea, coffee, latte, cappuccino, soft drinks and orange juice.

Orange juice/lemonade
Lime and Lemon.😁

Never needed alcohol to enjoy ourselves.

OP posts:
madaboutpurple · 15/12/2025 16:20

I don't. I do like milk shakes in the Summer. Coffee ,dandelion and burdock no sugar. Diet coke.

Willowy2 · 15/12/2025 16:20

I don't drink at all and my husband rarely does too. My older teens aren't into going out and getting drunk either. They have definitely had drinks and been drunk but it's certainly not a regular thing as it was when I was the same age as them. Alcohol has definitely played a tricky role in my life but my life is jow so much better without it. No hangovers, more energy, better sleep, early morning enjoyment - going to the gym or walks etc.... I love my alcohol free life.

I enjoy coffee and teas as well as the odd glass of AF nosecco or white wine from time to time.

NowThatsWhatICallRecent · 15/12/2025 16:21

Me and DH. Both used to, both gave up for health reasons - DH gave up about 2 years ago, and I gave up about a year ago. I miss it sometimes, but I don't miss the hangovers and I am definitely more active now at weekends when I am not feeling sluggish from Friday night wine.

I drink mostly herbal tea during the day, and diet fruit drinks at night. I know 'diet' drinks get a bad press here but I wouldn't want to replace the sugar in alcohol with sugar in something else.

PauliesWalnuts · 15/12/2025 16:21

Me - I’m just a really fussy drinker. I don’t like beer of any kind, brown spirits, gin, red wine unless it’s a Fleurie, Coke or Pepsi, tea, coffee, Red Bull, milk, fruit teas, fizzy water, or hot chocolate.

I only really drink tap water, Vimto or champagne. Maybe a glass of white wine if it’s very dry and light, or a vodka lime and soda. I don’t drink at home, and my social life these days consists of hikes, and walks around gardens. If I go anywhere else I have to drive as nobody lives near me and I live in a public transport wasteland, so it’s lemonade or Fanta.

BurnTheWholeThingDown · 15/12/2025 16:23

Dh and I have been sober for nearly three years. My sister is teetotal as well. I know loads of people socially now who don’t drink. It’s awesome.

Thatsnotmynamee · 15/12/2025 16:23

Well, I'm an alcoholic but now sober. If that counts 🤣

HelpMySocksAreTouchingMe · 15/12/2025 16:24

I might drink once or twice a year, my husband will have one drink now and again but I have only seen him drunk once.

I don’t like the taste of alcohol and I don’t like how loud and annoying I get after drinking so just stopped.

Schoolregret · 15/12/2025 16:25

FIL, in recovery the last 35 years. My two sisters, one never drinks, the other one might have an alco pop twice a year. I didn't drink alcohol until I was 34 and only ever drink the lightest beer.

All my friends, family members drink ( a lot).

NorWouldTilly · 15/12/2025 16:25

Must say I was surprised to see the thread on a poster’s annoyance at having to host one non-drinker!

I’m a wine enthusiast and spend weeks sourcing exciting things specially for this season - but it’s very much quality over quantity and I’m not sure I’ve ever been drunk since the 1980s. The only thing I care about more is an uninterrupted supply of recently roasted coffee beans …

And anyway, surely everyone now is cognisant of the dangers of alcohol and would naturally provide a good selection of non-alcohol drinks if they’re hosting a party or Christmas gathering? The newspapers are full of recommendations for interesting new options, many of which are luxurious and more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.

vanillalattes · 15/12/2025 16:25

My dad doesn't drink and neither do I. Dad gave up for health reasons, I can't drink due to my medication and don't really miss it.

He likes good coffee, ginger beer and sparkling water. I go for coffee, diet coke, appletiser and fancy mocktails or lemonades.

Catza · 15/12/2025 16:25

I drink very occasionally but I am definitely not interested in piss ups. At all.
I very much enjoy the taste of beer and gin so I switched to non-alcoholic versions when going out. There is absolutely nothing worse than wasting weekends on hangovers. Plus, it means I can drive home after a night out.

I'm not rigid though. If someone were to offer me a glass of nice champagne, I'd happily oblige.

OopOop · 15/12/2025 16:25

Ok, what do you want to know about them?

SoLongLuminosity · 15/12/2025 16:25

I'm love a good quality alcohol now and again to savour but don't really like the buzz anymore.

Prefer food calories to liquid calories!

Instructions · 15/12/2025 16:25

My husband doesn't drink any more. He used to drink quite a bit, we have always enjoyed alcohol socially, but he felt as we approached 50 that it did him more harm than good so decided to stop. It's fine. He's happy, so I'm happy.

Thepeopleversuswork · 15/12/2025 16:26

I’m not teetotal and do occasionally drink. But increasing I avoid anything social which revolves around alcohol.

Loads of us my age (early 50s) are increasingly rejecting booze. I grew up in a society awash with it: it coloured every aspect of my life and had such a negative effect on me. So much wasted time and money, such a demotivating factor. I’m lucky that I haven’t had any real ill effects from heavy drinking as a young person but masses of friends have. At least three close friends have had cancer and are convinced drinking played a major role in this.

Alcohol slows me down, gives me headaches and anxiety, makes me stupid.

I will still drink from time to time but I now actively avoid heavy drinking environments and drink far less. And feel far better for it.

everdine · 15/12/2025 16:26

I don’t. I’m with my children on my own a lot of the time so I need to be sober. I was never a big drinker and don’t ever miss it. I mainly drink coffee and tap water ( courtesy of Thames Water, not sure if it’s good for me but I like the taste!)

blubberball · 15/12/2025 16:26

I've never been bothered about it. I now can't drink due to medical conditions. My partner doesn't drink either.

TallulahBetty · 15/12/2025 16:26

Very very rarely. Maybe once every 2/3 months? So not exactly teetotal but as good as

TeenLifeMum · 15/12/2025 16:26

I can go months without and only drink specific drinks I enjoy but not regularly. Dh would have the odd pint but finds more than one is too much liquid so has one maybe once a month then goes into Pepsi. I find the whole “can’t have fun without a drink” thing really bizarre because I have lots of fun but often will go out with friends but be on call for work so need to be sober. It’s not an issue (although I learned on here today it is).

Pinepeak2434 · 15/12/2025 16:27

My husband has never touched alcohol ever in his life. He has a big bubbly personality, isn’t shy and speaks with a loud voice so it’s a good thing he doesn’t drink tbh!

luckylavender · 15/12/2025 16:27

I hardly drink. I had a G&T at my father's funeral in May and a couple of drinks at a wedding before that. The rest of the year nothing, not even on holiday. Having a relaxing Christmas and I'm planning on drinking a little if I feel like it. It's my work Christmas Party on Friday and I probably won't drink.

Wildywondrous · 15/12/2025 16:29

I hardly drink, I've got an alcoholic brother and have met too many "ooh it's wine-o'clock" bores that put me off for life.

I have had my share of drunken nights out and woken up with gaps in my memory or regrets or a banging headache and don't miss any of that.

I'll occasionally have a cider or two on a night out or in a beer garden in the summer and enjoy the gentle buzz but never get drunk any more and am equally happy to have soft drinks.

HRTQueen · 15/12/2025 16:30

I might have a small glass of wine when out for dinner the odd glass of Prosecco

can happily not drink and often prefer to have a coffee or tea (my favourite drink by far)

in my 20’s I went through a phase of not drinking and always had to explain myself 🙄 or was assumed for religious reasons. I just didn’t want to drink I think it’s accepted more now

Leo800 · 15/12/2025 16:31

I’ve got no interest in alcohol due to the cancer risk. I drink a lot of good quality coffee & sparkling water. I lost a lot of weight when I stopped drinking & feel much healthier.

PluckyChancer · 15/12/2025 16:31

I rarely drink apart from the odd glass of Baileys at Christmas. DH is a recovering alcoholic and has been sober for over 30 years.

Adult DC rarely drink but will have wine or beer when they have a meal with us but often as not, they’ll have something non alcoholic.

I hate feeling drunk and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been a bit drunk in 60 odd years. Never been completely smashed and never done drugs.

I’m extremely sociable and happy in myself.