Why are some so proud?

[New Day]

Southernbelle --- you said it best "deep down they know..".... but who's going to be the first to admit it .... well, AKgirl ... looks like you did! Good for you ... and who knows, there might be others to join you soon. Stay strong!

[akgirl]

Thank you all very much.
As happy as I am for making this decision, it saddens me that I really don't want to tell anyone. Like 1967 said, they would just ask why?

[southernbelle47]

So......why not?
Because YOU can........ Maybe they will follow but don't worry if they don't.
It takes awhile for some.....

[tlrgs]

ditto with southern

[IAD]

AKGIRL.....SAVE YOURSELF...YOU'LD LIKE TO HELP- EVERYONE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. GOOD LUCK...IAD.

[nancy]

Hi there

I really think this is a cultural issue. People get used to certain norms. Like in a fraternity house, normal to get very drunk. Certain regions, certain countries are like that.

You are more of a free-thinker and going against the culture around you.

I think a big reason to want to quit is social shame, unfortunately, but if everyone around you is doing the same or worse, that factor is not there.

Do your own thing.

[CS04]

Yes, it gets hard to live in the frat party after awhile. You are a bigger person for wanting more for yourself. (I will give you my friend's # in your town -- she is not a teetotaler, but knows of my struggles, and she would definitely be an AF friend when needed!)

[vera-b]

I think Nancy has a point. Some of it is certainly cultural. Others may brag about how much they can "hold" because their lives are so shallow they have nothing else to offer. As was said so well before, perhaps many of them know this "deep down" but refuse to go there because that would mean change - and that's scary. But Miss Alaska, you're embracing change and that's a good thing. Who cares if the others are stuck back at zero? If you need some folks who will understand the changes you're trying to make in your life, well, that would be us. Keep up all your good efforts. We're rooting for you!

Vera-b.

[A Work in Progress]

AK, it's hard to buck the tide. Yeah, they will ask you "why" in such a way that you will feel pressure to either apologize for your decision, or give in and drink with them... it'll take a lot of self-confidence to ride that out. I don't blame you at all for wanting to take your time with that, get more stable and comfortable in your freedom from alcohol. And when you get there, one answer to "why?" would be a very simple, non-judgmental "because I feel so much better when I don't drink." Something like that. They might laugh at you... but I guarantee it will be an uncomfortable laughter, because many of them will know that you have found something that they wish they could find.

keep on building your strength; you are doing great!

wip

[hulagirl]

Because they're jerks.