Chances are you have probably experienced this situation many times over. You walk into an office Christmas party (or any work-related party for that matter), mingle with your friends for a few minutes, and a large portion of them start to pressure you to drink. You, however, do not drink alcohol and do not want to feel this pressure. Nevertheless, you still want to spend time with your coworkers. While many people around the world abstain from alcohol for religious purposes (ex: Mormons, Baptists, and Methodists), a large number of people will become teetotalers for health and well-being. After all, the last thing you want is to take that fateful step into alcohol abuse or alcoholism or (if you are a recovering addict) return to that dark cloud. So how do you spend time with coworkers if you do not drink? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Social Status
Naturally, we humans are inclined to feel a sense of camaraderie and hold on to our feeling of “belonging” in a group. However, individuals who abstain from drinking all understand that you are constantly going to feel social pressure to indulge if you go to a bar or a club. On certain occasions, teetotalers will often be barraged by a horde of inquiries about religious views, pregnancy, or a past history with substance abuse/addiction. However, always understand that you have the power. If you cannot have fun without your coworkers pestering you about alcohol, then maybe you should find new coworkers to hand out with.
Skipping Career Development
Perhaps you have heard of the “three-martini lunch,” where businessmen would make major career moves over alcohol drinks at restaurants. Fortunately, for those of us today, the concept of making deals at happy hour is not that common. Based on a 2014 study, only 23% of professionals partook in happy hour with coworkers, while 55% of friends indulged on Fridays. Thankfully, drinking over business deals do not apply in the real world.
What if I’m Not Drinking Alcohol?
If you are at an office party and want to avoid the peer pressure of drinking, here are some steps you can take to have a peaceful night:
- Order a non-alcoholic drink and just pretend
- Do not bring up alcohol in a conversation
- Be a happy, likable, social, and charming person
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or addiction troubles today.
