How to Not Drink at Parties

Everyone wants to have fun at a party. There is loud music, good food, dancing, lots of people and usually plenty of alcohol to drink. For a person trying to stop drinking or avoid drinking, parties can be a dangerous temptation. It is possible to be social and still attend parties without breaking one's commitment to an alcohol-free life, but it can be a bit of a challenge.

Instructions

1. Take a responsible friend. One of the best ways to avoid the temptation to drink is to bring someone with you who can help you through it so you're not facing it alone. Take a friend who knows that you have committed to staying sober, who understands your motivation for doing so, and that you trust to help you out and step in if they see that you're running into trouble. A friend that truly cares about you will support you in your efforts and help keep an eye on you.

2. Bring your own beverages. If you're attending a private party at someone's home and you're not sure of the availability of non-alcoholic beverages, bring your own. Explain to the host or hostess that you don't want to inconvenience them by asking them to provide non-alcoholic drinks for you and ask if you can use their refrigerator to keep your beverages cold. This will allow you to have some water or soda in your hand all night, which will help you avoid the temptation to pick up something else.

3. Suggest neutral territory. If some friends are planning a party at a bar, politely suggest a restaurant that also serves food or another venue that is equally fun but does not focus so much on alcohol. Attending parties that are not in bars or pubs will help you avoid drinking simply because it will not be such an obvious presence to you.

4. Make new friends if necessary. If the circle of friends that you usually attend parties with is a heavy-drinking crowd and it makes you uncomfortable to not drink when you are with them, consider using your commitment to an alcohol-free social life motivation to expand your social scene. If your friends are all drinkers then partying with them might not be the healthiest thing for you. If they are truly your friends they will support your efforts and will help you. If you don't feel that they will do that, it may be time to limit the amount of parties you attend with them.

5. Be active. There are lots of other things to do at parties besides drinking. Get involved in an interesting conversation with friends, introduce yourself to someone you haven't met, dance, suggest a game, sample the appetizers or offer to help in the kitchen. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself moving and involved.

6. Admit your mistakes. If you slip and end up drinking at a party, it's not the end of the world. Don't feel guilty about it and give up. Recognize it as being human, admit that you faltered in a moment of weakness and let it go. Ask yourself what it was that made you give in and drink and try to avoid that person or scene at the next party you go to.

Resources

• Read studies about the dangers of alcohol abuse in relation to social drinking.
• Learn how social drinking is tied to peer pressure for young people.