If you want to find out who your real friends are, give up drinking. I assure you that the room will clear out fast. I'm not sure why that is, but non-drinkers rank right up there with lepers on the social pariahs list.
I found this out when I quit drinking two years ago. The decision wasn't a moral one and I have nothing against alcohol or people who drink. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that nothing quit hits the spot like a cold beer on a hot day, and the occasional drink actually has health benefits. I just don't drink anything with calories in it (which really baffles people when I bother to explain it). The day they learn to make a calorie-free beer that doesn't taste like pee or water, I'll be the first in line. In the meantime, I'll stick with water.
Of all of the changes I've made in my attempts to get healthy, giving up alcohol has had the biggest effect on my life in general. Even my closest friends have been strangely absent. Gone are the invites for margaritas with the girls, nights out with the guys, even movies at the local cinema/grill. I would be perfectly happy with water and good conversation, but no one ever seems to believe that. Instead, they've moved on and found other people to share their booze and conversations with them, while I spend my evenings at home with my daughter - me with my water, and her with her apple juice.
And that's ok. I like my new drinking buddy better anyway.
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