I have a love/hate relationship with alcohol. Many of my worst memories are around seeing people drinking too much. Family, friends, loved ones—alcohol is a trigger for me because it’s a depressant that’s so easy to abuse.

We have the wink-wink-nudge-nudge of how mommies need their little bit of red wine to get them through the day, and now they even sell “wine glasses” that hold an entire bottle of wine.

I grew up in an Italian family, and I could have a glass of wine with dinner if I wanted and remember trying a taste of scotch on the rocks when my great Uncles would come over for the holidays. The bitter taste would make my mouth pucker up, and I realized that I hated the taste.

After my father left, my mom, brother, and me, alcohol took a backseat in my life. I had many years where fear of alcohol wasn’t a thing for me. I’d only see alcohol being abused by adults during the holidays and at weddings.

But a strange thing happened when I became a teenager and went to college. Most of the people I knew were desperate for alcohol. It was the secret holy grail for them. I remember being in high school at a friend’s house, and he went into his parents’ liquor cabinet and stole a drink. He offered it to all of us, and my friends tried to peer pressure me into drinking. But I didn’t want to. I could have a glass of wine any time I wanted, and I didn’t want to drink.

As I grew older, my lack of interest in drinking made me even less popular. Not only was I a geek, but I didn’t like to party.

So I went around to building my relationship with alcohol on my terms.

I’ve done my best to stay out of toxic alcoholic situations: New Year’s eve is always a tough one because people tend to drink too much, and I dislike being around sloppy drunks. I like to make certain that I have an exit plan so that I’m not trapped somewhere.

I’ve seen many friends and coworkers let loose because of alcohol, and I’d rather be me without needing the drink. If I want to have fun and sing on a table, I think we should do that and don’t do so because of the alcohol running through our system.

If you also have a complicated relationship with alcohol, I want to share a resource with you. Joy Manning, a former coworker of mine, has started the Better Without Booze website.

With the holidays upon us and you are struggling with alcohol addiction or just don’t want to partake in drinking, there are some great non-alcoholic alternatives on the site. There are also some great resources.

I think Joy’s bravery in starting her journey not to drink has inspired many to follow her on her journey.

If you’re curious, I recommend checking her site out. And I don’t know about you, but the Hibiscus Fizz looks good!

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.