Initially people drink for a whole range of reasons, but the most common one of all is just to be social. It normally starts around high school or university and continue on into adulthood as we continue to socialise with adults, but the real root reasons for continuing to drink alcohol may never be known to us.

The reasons for drinking though seem to become quite apparent to us, being depression, stress or just the desire to relax, but the sad conclusion is that whatever the reasons are, we have become completely dependant on alcoholic beverages.

For majority of us it just becomes habit forming like drinking a coke in the morning or smoking a cigarette after meals; alcohol intake is just another daily action. Although these habits in moderation can be considered acceptable, it becomes an issue when the frequency of the habit gets out of control.

One of the first signs that something is wrong is when you go out and just can't socialise without first having a drink inside you. Should this be your situation then you might have to consider the daunting possibility that your habit has become an addiction.

When you have to begin explaining your decisions to your family and friends it should just be sufficient enough to tell them that you just want to refrain from drinking. It is quite understandable that you may not want to announce this decision out loud to everyone in your life, so here are a few examples of good excuses you can give for not drinking.

I've got to drive later...I have an interview in the morning...I'm on medication...I'm just too full from dinner...My other half will kill me...I've still got some work to do tonight.

It really doesn't matter which reason you choose, the important thing is to not falter and not to be persuaded otherwise. If your buddy tries to bully you into just having one, then call it a night and find something else to do either on your own or with non drinkers.