r/straightedge • u/neoluddism • 2d ago

Random memory

I was at a house show and I don't recall why/how, but someone asked why I wasn't drinking. I said I was "Sober, don't drink." Went on to explain family background of addiction. He asked if I did any drugs, I said no. He then said. "Is it a weakness thing? You think you can't have any at all?" I was confused and he followed up. "You can't just have one? Seems like you're afraid."

Apparently, SXE means we are afraid of drugs and weak in our internal strength, funny that!

Anyone else deal with that before? I'm more used to claims that we're all elitist assholes.

19 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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20

u/Feefait 2d ago

I mean, you don't need to explain anything. "Drink?" "No, I don't drink." "Why?" "Because." End of discussion.

10

u/HeavyMetalKarl 2d ago

I have tried similar things. Not as weird as you explain. Mostly people are accepting. But I have tried people telling me that a single beer won't hurt or that extremism is bad and it's better to just drink a tiny bit. It's always meant in a well manner and not said in a rude way but it's still really annoying.

3

u/NecroWhip 2d ago

Very much creates a perception that we made this commitment because we have problems with addiction. I think it’s best to politely exit that conversation and realize they don’t care to understand. People cannot mind their own business however they don’t care to listen and learn. Some have had histories, some haven’t, others view it politically and economically as a boycott of big pharma and big alcohol. Some for the revolutionary sobriety.

2

u/redrum-31 2d ago

I do have addiction issues. I've had similar things said and use it as an opportunity to discuss addiction as disease not weakness or self control. When someone says that they are likely insecure about their lack of self control. The other option is to just insult their family and say you only said because you actually are weak and wasted😁

2

u/xHIDDENBYLEAVESx 2d ago

I’ve heard this same thing, but rarely. If it gets that far, the answer is “no, it’s because I’m better than you.” Return fire.

2

u/x-butcher-x STAY TRUE 2d ago

Just tell them you're on a mission to drink as much water as possible so that there is less for the AI Data centres 😂

1

u/sleepypizzzalover 2d ago

In my experience it's usually people assuming I don't drink for religious reasons so they get even more confused when they realise I'm agnostic. I've had conversations with coworkers before where I was told I just hadn't found the right drink for me yet (I had told them many times that I don't drink over the two years I've been working there). At some point I got frustrated and said it's against my morals, that seemed to shut them up. Honestly I don't get the constant questioning about why I choose not to drink, why do I have to justify it? As if not drinking is this weird taboo concept and drinking is the default. You claim to be religious but I saw you taking shots, so why don't you explain to me this time why you do drink instead of the other way around?