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Is anyone else teetotal?

43 replies

Celery · 25/08/2007 09:04

Has anyone else chosen not to drink, other than recovering alcoholics?

I'm just wondering really, because I do feel a bit of a freak.

I used to drink quite a lot as a teenager, and it gradually got less and less. I settled down and had a family fairly early ( first child at 25 ) and went from social drinking, to just drinking occasionally at mealtimes. But I haven't been out drinking for many many years, and I haven't even had a drink at home or in a restaurant for a year or so. It's just kind of fizzled out.

So now I think I might as well just call myself a teetotal, I'm happy to never drink alcohol again.

Anyone else? Just wondering what your reasons are really.

I suppose I do have a specific reason in that my mother is a very ill alcoholic and has been for many many years. When I have been drunk in the past, I just see myself being like she is, and that is not someone I want to be. But mostly, I just don't particulary like it.

OP posts:

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LazyLinePainterJane · 25/08/2007 13:39

Well I don't drink through choice rather than from a drinking problem and FIL makes me feel like a freak for it. He knows I don't drink but he is constantly offering alcohol!

choosyfloosy · 25/08/2007 13:43

I have a close friend who has never drunk in her life, due to Quaker beliefs and mother working with alcoholics. I prob drink less than I otherwise would due to her. It used to annoy me that she would respond to the offer of a drink with 'No thanks, I'm teetotal' rather than 'No thanks', but that's just my immaturity - I can see that at least that cuts pressure off at the knees, and could give other people not drinking some support.

nailpolish · 25/08/2007 13:55

i have a friend whose father was an alcoholic and even when we were very young (16/17/18) she didnt drink. she used to come on every night out though and have as much fun as the next person

i dont think alcohol has ever passed her lips

belgo · 25/08/2007 13:56

lAzyline - yes some people seem to take offense when you refuse to drink.

eandh · 25/08/2007 13:58

I never drink anymore, in fact only had one glass of wine on our wedding day 4 years ago and that was my last drink. Like some people here not because of any reason just never really found a drink I liked that much (also hated that drunk feeling) then had dd1 then dd2 etc etc I like to know that if there was an emergency in the middle of the night I could get up and drive etc.

DH drinks mainly at weekends and if he has 'boys' night out gets steaming drunk and I do find myself resentful at times as he'll have drunk alcohol and then 'not hear' the dd's at night

Lots of friends and even my il's say 'go on have a glass of wine etc' they just dont get that I am really not bothered by not drinking, the downside is that everyone presumes I am going to be their taxi service !!

scattyspice · 25/08/2007 14:47

This is interesting. I've always drunk alcohol.

But over the past year or so have gradually become more intolerent. I now imediately get a headache and have insomnia and terrible hangover after just 1 drink, so rarely drink at all.

People hate it if you don't drink with them as they feel you are disapproving.

Celery · 25/08/2007 14:50

Lots of interesting replies - glad I started this thread!

OP posts:

sarahlou1uk · 25/08/2007 14:53

I don't drink and have never got drunk. I just don't like the taste of any alcohol. I much prefer soft drinks or even just water. I used to get a lot of stick off my friends when we used to go out regularly and I would ask for a diet coke but that's what I like. DH often gets annoyed as he likes his beer now and again and when I won't join in he gets a bit of a huff on. He just can't understand that I find the taste of any beer, lager, wine, spirits, alcopop disgusting. I can't explain it, it's just the way my taste buds are!

Ilovemyboy · 25/08/2007 18:32

Belgo - towards the end of my pregnancy I allowed myself to have one glass of wine when I was out with friends and had the same reaction as you and was sick. I was really shocked as I have to admit I did like a drink prior to me being pregnant (couple of glasses a wine with dinner most nights).

I foolishly tried it again weeks later and had the same reaction.

The only thing I could think of at the time was that my body just wasn't used to the alcohol.

belgo · 25/08/2007 20:49

Ilovemyboys - my reaction to alcohol has only really occurred since I've had children - I'm fairly sure I didn't have a problem prior to that.

Kewcumber · 25/08/2007 20:55

I'm just the same Celery - don;t really drink. I do have the occasional drink but if I had one a month it would be more than normal. Having said that I used to be a fairly heavy drinker so I have had more than my fiar share.

Strangely I just don;t like it much anymore a bit like you.

I don;t call myself teetotal though becuase people think thats wierd - they are always happier when I explain I have drunk my share over the years and it's someone elses turn now! They assume I am a reformed alcoholic and are much happier with that explanation

Kewcumber · 25/08/2007 20:56

and since drinking less I have discovered how truly boring drunk people are!

Judy1234 · 25/08/2007 21:02

I don't really like alcohol and never have. I never describe myself as teetotal because if I'm with people who are drinking I might sometimes have a glass of wine, may be once a month but I feel better without it.

Ilovemyboy · 25/08/2007 22:42

belgo - That is weird. Have you ever been drunk since you have had your children? Or have you only ever managed a glass of something before you had a reaction?

yelnats · 25/08/2007 22:46

I was quite a drinker pre children days - had dd1 at 19 and dd2 at 22 [6months ago]. I used to drink quite heavily every friday night until I fell pregnant with dd2 - that was my night off when my parents kept dd1 overnight. Since dd2 has arrived I havent had a drink - I am still bf'ing so I guess I am frightened to drink cos i know i will feel guilty.

Clary · 25/08/2007 22:59

I haven't had more than a glass of champers on Chr Day since the Jan after DS1 was born, ie 7.5 yrs ago.

I used to drink quite a lot in the pub; then found I drank quite a lot of wine at home (open bottle to cook with and then finish it with DH having one glass)

Stopped when pg, felt so much better and lost so much weight that I gave up altogether 6mo after he was born. Don't never drink, but pretty much.

Lots of people think I'm a bit weird but it's quite fun in a way always being sober, isn't it? Kewcumber that's so true about drunk people being boring!

sweetkitty · 25/08/2007 22:59

I had a few glasses of wine last night the first this year and I felt so rough today. I used to drink pretty heavily but now hardly ever and it doesn't bother me at all. We never have alcohol in the house either.

startouchedtrinity · 25/08/2007 23:06

I don't drink. I used to in my teens but wouldn't say I had a problem, except for being stupid. I hate that feeling of being out of control, esp. as I have three dcs and need to be as sharp as possible to look after them well. I enjoy going out more and don't exactly miss hangovers. The downside is I really don't understand why people need to get drunk to have a 'good' time and find being with drinkers tedious. As my dh was drinking very heavily until recently this put an enormous strain on our relationship as I saw him as behaving like an adolescent.

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