I’m considering changing the response to others when asked why I don’t drink.  It’s not that I’m ashamed or embarrassed to tell people I don’t drink anymore.  In fact, I sort of like it.  I kind of geek out on all the benefits when people ask.  

But as we nondrinkers know, it can sometimes be a long-winded conversation.  Or awkward if the person you’re telling probably needs to not drink as well and gives you a weird counter of oh yeah, I only drink on weekends.

Typically, when someone offers me a drink at a party that maybe I don’t know, I just say something like.  Thanks, but I’m all good.  Or actually can I just grab a water or sparking water?  Something simple and we move on.  It usually works fine.  

Other times, if I feel or maybe it just slips out, I’ll say something like; I’m good, I actually don’t drink anymore.  That might lead to follow up questions.  And good or bad, often a conversation about how long I’ve been alcohol free, or why, the benefits, or them telling me they took off a month once… 

However, lately I’ve been considering and toying with the idea of saying that I’m allergic to alcohol.  Something to the effect of, no thanks I’m allergic.  If they question, smile or laugh.  We can leave it that.   If they inquire, I can add, yeah, I didn’t realize it for about 20 plus years.  But I get an allergic reaction.   

Alcohol actually causes me to get red faced and puffy (like many allergic reactions).  Often confusing my system to want and crave more.  Which causes even more problems.  If continued, I get fat.  Especially in my gut.  The reaction also messes with my skin and causes weird dehydration.  

Oh yeah and sleep it really fucks up my sleep, causing me to wake up at 4 am, sweaty and stressed.  It’s a terrible reaction.  

The allergic reaction can even cause mental issues.  Like feeling really shameful, guilty and depressed.  Sometimes even causing anxiety.  Almost crippling anxiety.  

Yeah man. I’ve got some crazy allergy to alcohol.  It even helped cause my divorce and years of suffering.  Which ironically made me want more.  It’s the weirdest thing.  

Lucky for you that you don’t have this allergy.  Its gnarly.  But be careful.  I did hear that with enough continued alcohol use, you can actually create an allergy to it as well.  

Maybe your immune to it, but wow, not me.  

Meanwhile, can you pass me the peanuts, no allergies for me there.  

Ha. Just a little tongue and check in this weeks blog.  But maybe something I’ll throw out there once I a while…