Ways to Say “No” to Temptation for Every Occasion

At every celebration or event, it seems as if alcohol is always present, and if people are not aware of your sobriety, you might feel pressure from others to have a drink.

This pressure can cause you to start drinking again, making you forget your goal of staying sober until you eventually relapse.

In this article, you will learn how to fight this “alcohol attack” during any occasion by simply saying “no” in different ways.

When you’re in recovery, you have to learn how to make it clear to others that you are not interested in drinking anymore.

While it’s true that it should be none of their business, there will eventually come a time when you’ll be confronted by someone who wants to know why you won’t have a drink.

 

Here is a list of tricks to help you say “no” when that time comes:

 

You must tell the truth

Depending on the environment and your comfort level, it is always wisest just to tell the truth.

If you turn down a drink and if someone asks why you can tell them that you are recovering from alcoholism.

Instead of being negative, you can highlight how long you have been sober and celebrate it.

Being sober is nothing to be ashamed about, especially if you have succeeded at it.

 

Keep a non-alcoholic drink on hand

If you already have a non-alcoholic drink in your hand, it reduces the chances that someone will offer you a beer or some other drink.

So look for a soda or other non-alcoholic alternative as soon as you arrive, or bring your own if necessary.

It will also prevent you from being asked to hold a friend’s drink while they use the bathroom – just having liquor in your hands might trigger you to take a drink.

 

Change the topic

If someone is overly persistent about finding out why you keep declining alcohol, just change the topic.

Have something prepared, such as current events or a recent movie, which you can use to take the spotlight off of why you are not drinking.

 

Prepare an escape plan

Wherever you are, always prepare an escape plan.

Have a strategy in place that you can resort to if you start feeling the temptation for relapse.

You can always say that you are feeling a little under the weather, or that work called and needs you to come in first thing in the morning, allowing you to exit gracefully.

 

Just say “no”

It’s a bit old school but, just saying “no” still works.

You shouldn’t have to offer further explanations. If you start feeling pressure to use, you can always walk away.

If someone chooses to not accept your answer, that is their problem, not yours.

If you’re having a hard time saying no to temptation and you feel like you’re having a relapse, you might consider asking for help.