That is indeed a good line, I have to admit.
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People are used to me not drinking for longer periods allthough I loved beer my whole life and could hold my drink. I simple “tea or water for me” does it. I don’t drink and drive, never did, I don’t drink alcohol when it’s hot (even sober coping with high temperatures is a horror), I rarely drank when I had to get up the next morning and do something.
I agree that people don’t even notice you stick to water or whatever non-alcoholic beverage. I tend to leave early at gatherings because drunk people are too loud and boring for me. Idk how many times people told me how fun it was and asked how bad my hangover is - they didn’t even notice I left long before the funny episode 
When I know that alcohol will be forced on me at gatherings (some of my friends I call prosecco chicks) - I just come by car. Nobody offers a driver alcohol and bonus: I can leave whenever I want without anybody noticing it, maybe give a friend a lift😊
One of the best advises I ever got was: Never complain, never explain. Helped me in hundreds of situations and reminds me that I don’t have to justify anything. At least not drinking 
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But do your children know why? I explained to my daughter that alcoholism runs in our family and that I really can’t drink responsibly. I explained that my brain reacts differently and that when I have one drink it sets off a response for “more more more”. I want her to know because even though I don’t want to scare her, I want her to be aware that there’s a chance she may have a similar response to alcohol.
However, with certain people I really just say my body can’t handle alcohol. It makes me feel sick. This is the truth without actually saying"I’m an alcoholic". Maybe one day I won’t worry about saying that outloud to everyone, but for now it’s hard to say and I wonder if I really need to be that blunt with people I’m not that close too.
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Not at the moment, no. I don’t want to tell them while they are still young. I will share as they get older though and it becomes more relevant. I grew up in a house with only moderation and social drinking so have always felt a shame around drinking more than that. I am really hopeful that I have stopped the nightly drinking in time for them not to remember and model it 
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So true. You announce you’re quitting smoking and people throw you a party.
If you quit alcohol or drugs you’re just a loser. Either a loser for no longer participating OR a loser for letting yourself get addicted.
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“Alcohol no longer agrees with me.” No lie but not getting into details.
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Good read here, nice topic.
I hate lying but may need to come up with something so I’m better prepared. I said before, wife’s glad I’m not drinking but my friends won’t be as excited.
Well, keeping your wife happy is definitely a good thing !
I suppose that the reason why I prefer a “cover story”, is that it enables me to avoid admitting that I had been drinking WAY too much for WAY too long.
So, for the time being… I’m going to stick with the “stomach issues” thing…
Maybe I’ll feel more comfortable about myself at some later time… doubtful, but maybe.
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No favorite lie. My answer changes depending on the situation, the people I’m talking to, and my mood. So I go from being blatantly honest in such a way that I’m interested in opening a conversation about the topic to smart-ass remarks meant to make people laugh. Since my personality ranges from “serious intellectual / thoughtful empathic” to “no sober person would have just said that” it works out just fine for me.
In truth, almost no one cares if you’re drinking or not. I have met a few people who felt really bothered by someone not drinking when they were, but those aren’t the kind of people I want to be friends with anyway, so I don’t care if they’re put off by my choices.
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“I’m trying to lose weight”
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Last family event I’ve answered “well, since the divorce I’m at the bottom of the Mariana trench. If I add alcohol you’ll probably find me hanging at the tree in your backyard. You don’t want that do you ? Please can you pass me the orange juice. Thanks.”
And it went well ! 
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When I’m asked why I’m not having a glass of wine (my DOC), I just say I’m not drinking today. It’s the truth and the only commitment I can make. I plan to be sober tomorrow. But its ODAAT.
Hugs
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Well it depends on the company
None of these are lies
I Don’t drink anymore
I take medications that interact with alcohol
I don’t think I can have just one so I abstain
Or cause I’m a raging alcoholic that’s why
None of them are lies, it’s just a matter of how much I wanna share with the company I’m with
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How good is this one!?! It came up on my fb newsfeed the other day and made me chuckle 
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I can control my drinking.
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He is a gem. 
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That’s a hard lie to learn. Once you take the drinking out of the equation that “control” becomes easier.
The thing about Alcohol is that life can become a collection of lies so I suggest that without it start telling the truth. To someone new who perhaps knows nothing about your past just say ’ I dont drink ’ as if it’s been like this for years. To someone who knows you were a drinker say ’ I am tired of drinking and want a change’
Best wishes however you decide to handle it.
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