Common side effects of not drinking

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.