Any tips to successfully quitting alcohol in this culture of happy hours and “networking” over drinks?

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Very few people give me a hard time for ordering a Coke or water at networking events. Sometimes it is even a conversation starter. I go to a lot of events and don’t believe that drinking non-alcoholic drinks detracts from my ability to have great conversations or find great prospects.

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It does seem to be the universal lubricant. I went to AA for six months. Turns out, I’m not an alcoholic. But now I understand those who are.

My opinion is that no business gets done when drinking. Nothing good anyway.

It’s a stressful profession we are in. I believe that only cops drink more than we do. That being said, it can become a crutch.

So, if you’re not an alcoholic, stop drinking at work functions. Easy solution. If you are an alcoholic, stop drinking forever and attend meetings. Because it’s important for you and those around you.

As in everything, moderation in all things

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as a recovering alkie i really like the rationale in your reply. the 1st few years were tough mostly because of my response to "can i get you a drink?" once i cut it to-
no thank you or yes a diet coke or thanks but I'm not a drinker, things were a lot easier

Order a water/sprite in a cocktail glass with a lime on the rim. It will make you feel more comfortable and everyone assumes your drinking vodka

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Just simply don’t drink...

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We’re grown ups guys. Peer pressure was back in high school. Why should anyone care about what kind of beverage you’re drinking? It’s a beverage. Seriously. What does that have to do with BUSINESS, MONEY, REFERRALS...what a distraction. It’s human nature to make a whole religion off of something as simple as what type of beverage you drink when you’re networking. All it takes is a few mature people to show they don’t care about “fitting in” and stand out by not getting sauced at the networking event and is just fine with a glass of water with ice or a Gatorade. Make it a chocolate milk and switch it on them. Sometimes people don’t see how stupid their little unspoken rules are until they’re broken and the main point of BUSINESS becomes the focus again. No wonder people suck at networking because they’re so self-conscious about trying to make a statement with which kind of wine or bourbon they choose so they can talk about that rather than what’s going to make them money. We’re so impressed with so little.

I wouldn’t even try to hide what I’m drinking to make it look like I’m drinking alcohol. Why? How will that help you reach your goals? If you can fake that, you can also fake what you do and where you’re going to take your business. What’s the difference? I would better yet make sure people know I’m not drinking alcohol by getting something obviously not alcohol. If people are going to look down at you because you choose not to consume alcohol, they wouldn’t be the type of people I want to even talk to.

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Best drink to drink at company functions is a cranberry and club soda. Makes everyone think you are drinking and you aren’t. If you want to spice it up, you can add vodka. It’s called balance.

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I order club soda with a twist of lime.

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There is an article on the front page of USA Today (7-9-19) on nonalcoholic bars opening up across the nation.....check it out.

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Love this!!!!

I am sick of having to fend off peer pressure YES IT IS REAL AT ALL AGES!!! and the fact that all socializing is done with drinks! I am trying to lose weight and it is impossible to do so while having alcohol! Maybe once a month and you can still look decent but anyone having sugary cocktails and beers is not going to have a low body fat percentage!

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Stop today. Focus on tomorrow when it comes

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I think drinking is part of this business, you don’t have to drink a lot but unfortunately it’s a stigma that goes with it. Just drink well diluted drink, but stay away from heavy drinkers or call it an early night before it gets crazy and take a ton of liver detox pills

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are you quitting because you feel its a problem? or is this just a personal choice? if its a problem (like me) then most of the worrying you do is in your head. get a soda cranberry lime

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i quit 13 years ago. 2 years before joining this wonderful industry. its was very tough at first but gets much easier. it hardly crosses my mind any more

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As business people, we know how to survey the landscape of the world we live in and see what makes up success and failure. Only those who are disciplined, block out distractions and do things differently than common folk. Those that fail are slaves to vices, unfocused, and follow what the others do. Unfortunately, many of us know far too well what it’s like to be a failure and are trying to move forward from that. Even in this thread, some of us have first hand experience with the set backs that alcohol provides and have paid unnecessary consequences, whether big or small, trying to fit in. Why give a beverage the opportunity to take you off your game? Or women? Or greed? Or food? Or whatever?

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

uplifting

And yet again I am finding myself being shamed for refraining from drinking alcohol !!!! What do they care anyway!?

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Sounds like you might need an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. I went that route 23 yrs ago and credit it for being highly successful today.
Anyone who questions your not drinking more than likely has a drinking problem of their own.
If really pushed just claim to be allergic to alcohol.
Wishing you the best of luck and the courage to do the next right thing.......

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I’m buying non alcoholic beers where possible. O’dules, heniken 0.0, etc

What kind of events do you go to ? How do you find them ?

What’s the reason for wanting to quit? Do you think you might have a problem or is it a different reason?

👆I did the same thing

This just Happened to me twice this weekend. Friends bullied me into having some beers - I was just trying to drink soda and they shove the beer in my hand !!!

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