Don’t drink alcohol? What to tell someone who asks why – not that anyone should – and how to avoid unwanted questions
- It’s none of anyone’s business why a person is not drinking alcohol. They may be a recovering addict, have health problems or be trying to get pregnant
- They need support, not someone prying, an addiction therapist says. She also has advice for non-drinkers about how to deal with unwanted questions
There are hundreds of reasons why someone chooses not to drink alcohol – but they don’t owe you an explanation.
For many, drinking alcohol is a fun social pastime. For others, it leads to destructive behaviours. Some choose sobriety because of medical conditions. Some don’t like the way alcohol makes them feel. People who are pregnant or trying to conceive may avoid imbibing as well.
Whatever the reasons, none of them are our business, says Trish Caldwell, senior vice-president of clinical services with Recovery Centres of America, which provides addiction treatment services.
“We don’t have to know the reasons why somebody is choosing to engage in a behaviour that they find to be a part of their wellness practices to support them.”
Experts like Caldwell discussed why people should never ask someone about their sobriety – and how to respond if they do.
Why you should never ask why someone isn’t drinking
