Common side effects of not drinking
Quitting or avoiding alcohol can reshape social life in ways that range from barely noticeable to deeply isolating, depending heavily on culture, peer group, and how central drinking once was to a person’s identity. Commenters contrast experiences of being pressured, judged, or excluded with accounts where a simple “no, thanks” is accepted, highlighting strategies such as ordering non-alcoholic drinks, avoiding explanations, or reframing socializing around other activities. Many argue that problems arise less from alcohol itself and more from extremes—heavy drinking or performative sobriety—while moderation, quiet abstinence, and finding like‑minded communities often work well.
Social pressure and friendships
- Many report little backlash for not drinking if they simply decline without explanation or order a soft drink; pressure often fades after a firm second “no.”
- Others, especially those who are smaller or women, describe persistent pushing and social interrogation, paralleling experiences with vegetarianism/veganism.
- Several say the author’s loss of friends reveals those relationships were mostly alcohol-based; others see it as a broader problem of Western social life being structured around drinking.
- Some frame alcohol as a longstanding “vetting” and bonding tool; opting out can change who you socialize with.
Health, mental health, and hangovers
- Commenters quit or cut down due to liver problems, epilepsy, severe anxiety, multi-day hangovers, or simply feeling mentally dull.
- Stories include severe family alcoholism, suicide, and catastrophic health events (e.g., stroke from heavy drinking and vomiting).
- Others still drink but note age and medication have forced reductions.
- Some emphasize that hangover severity and tolerance vary strongly, likely genetically.
Moderation vs abstinence
- Several follow strict rules (only weekends, specific holidays, or a few times a year), often pairing this with focusing on drink quality over quantity.
- Others abstain completely, arguing there are “zero benefits” to alcohol and strong benefits to sobriety and clarity of mind.
- Some push back, advocating “everything in moderation” and noting modest social or hedonic benefits for non-problem drinkers.
Culture and norms
- Multiple comments stress that the article reflects a heavy-drinking UK/European context; many readers in other settings don’t see comparable stigma.
- People reference “pluralistic ignorance”: overestimating how much others actually drink.
Identity, coping, and alternatives
- Several criticize turning either drinking or not drinking into a core personality trait or preaching about it.
- Alcohol is seen by some as self-medication for social anxiety; quitting forces direct engagement with discomfort and can prompt personal growth.
- Alternatives mentioned: caffeine (with its own dependence issues), birdwatching, exercise, and non-alcoholic beer/mocktails.
Attitudes toward the article
- Some find it relatable and validating; others call it dramatic, myopic, or overly generalized from one person’s life.
- A recurring critique is that it pathologizes all drinking and assumes any significant change from quitting implies prior dysfunction.