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Comment by donmb | Hacker News Reader

Problem is society exactly as the author describes. There is so much pressure on having drinks when going out. This is due to people trying to suppress their insecurity.

Start with yourself: If a sober person is in your round, help him by not let other's in the group mob him. Do not say things like "ohhh why the fuck you not drink?" - just say "cool you don't drink, I respect that" and still do conversations although you do have a drink yourself.

If your group does understand, that there are people who do not need a drink every time, it will help yourself also to "survive" in that group so it becomes more easy to go out sober.

Me myself find it very hard to not drink - but I like to drink and I like to be slightly drunk every now and then. I know that and I live with it. Chances are that some day this might change :) good luck everyone with whatever helps you to feel better

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The problem is that because young people in places like London and New York normally live in abject shitholes, they are forced to go out to socialise, which implies drinking and expensive food.

I’ve temporarily moved away from London to somewhere a lot smaller, but I live in a much nicer and bigger place for less than half the price.

I invite people over and am invited over. We talk and things, or sometimes watch something and talk about that. I can make a cup of tea or maybe even coffee, and I don’t have to pay through the nose for it. I can cook for a group for less than the price of a single meal outside.

No one gives a fuck if you’re not drinking in your own home. I’ve been drinking a lot less. It’s a sobering experience.

There are a lot of non-alcoholic (and sometimes non-caffeinated) drinks you can order at bars and restaurants, many people would not even know are non-alcoholic - just ask the bartender.

If the people you are hanging out with are judging you for your life choices then they are assholes and you should honestly call them out on it and disassociate with them.

Remove alcohol, caffeine and sugar though and your drink choices are slim to none.

Remove alcohol, caffeine and sugar though and your drink choices are slim to none.

Over the course of the year I've seen articles pop up on the supposed rise in popularity of dry bars. I've never been to one myself but I think there are a few in San Francisco and I'm sure there are some in New York. When I'm not at a bar I tend to like flavored sparkling water (a.k.a. seltzer or soda water or whatever else) but I've not seen that sort of thing in bars out here. And seltzer water has definitely not faded in popularity in New York.

Personally I'd like the THC hops stuff you can find out here, but that's typically not sold at bars and not really suitable if you're forgoing mind altering substances.

That's why god invented tonic water with a lime

Tonic has a ton of sugar.

exactly

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