Drinking

Hi Everyone I found this forum and thought maybe someone here could give me some insight on drinking.I had wls 20 months ago and I have been drinking a lot in the last 3 months.I have stopped all drinking and the problem is this,When you are out with friends and they are drinking how does one tell them you are not drinking?........steve

Hi Stephen! Not that you should ever have to explain the reason why you don't want to drink to your friends, I know exactly what you are worrying about. I have found that a good way in general to avoid drinking when I go out with friends, even before surgery, is to make sure that always have your own car with me. No one can argue with the fact that you don't want to drink and drive. Also, to make life a lot easier on yourself, you can just explain that your doctor requested that you not drink for a while. I am sure he has mentioned something about alcohol consumption in the past, so you wouldn't be completely lying. Please let me know how this goes. I will keep trying to come up with excuses for you because I knwo I will probably need them in the near future as well!! Diane

Hi Steve, I understand. For me, the drinking just took the place of food (and many other things).....I see a lot of drinking in the WLS social world.... I have had to change the environment for myself. It is just too slippery for me at this time to be in an environment where it would be that easy. It is an addiction for me, and I am just not that strong every stinkin' day. I do not "hang" with the same people anymore...I can't if I want to remain sober...so I don't. Life has sure changed in the last 24 months. I do not have a clue where it is going either......now that's enough to make one wish to drink dontcha think? Jeannie

Steve, I think that maybe you should take yourself away from the situation. If you friends really want to support you, then they will not have you in a situation where drinknig is a temptation. I hope things work out for you Melissa

People aren't nearly as aware that we aren't drinking alcohol as we are. It's on our radar screen, so we feel self conscious about it. But, come to think of it, several of my normie friends don't drink and I never gave it another thought. Especially in this more health conscious era, you see a lot of people forgoing alcohol and smoking, and eating better and exercising. I simply order what I want to, don't make a big deal about it, and nobody says anything. If they did, I would just say I can't drink. No explanation. They don't need to know whether it's because I'm taking medication, it's a religious preference, I have a medical condition or I'm an alcoholic. Only you know that. It may surprise you that we are not transparent! Except when drunk!!!! Vicki