Drinking has been a bonding experience for many people across many cultures for millennia. It seems like almost every celebration and milestone is celebrated with a toast of champagne or a bottle of beer these days.

However, if you’re not a huge fan of alcohol, this can be a problem. Some people think it’s bad manners to shy away from alcohol because they think you’re being a Debbie Downer. If you’re someone who takes social interaction very seriously, this can make you feel bad about yourself.

We’re here to tell you that there’s nothing bad about not wanting to drink alcohol at all! In fact, we highly recommend it. Alcohol has a lot of negative effects, especially if you drink it regularly, and the negatives far outweigh the positives. So, the next time someone asks you why you’re not drinking, choose from any of the five responses below.

1. “No, Thank You,” “No Thanks,” “I’m Fine,” “I’m Alright.”

These days, the concept of no is being implemented more strongly since more and more people are understanding the idea of consent. Nobody should ever force you to do things you’re not comfortable doing, and you don’t have to explain why you’re uncomfortable doing it either if you don’t want to. “No,” is a sentence in itself.

If someone feels put off by your nonchalant response, then you can change the subject by either talking about yourself or asking them about something they’re interested in. If they continue pushing the no alcohol thing, then you can leave the situation since it’s uncomfortable for both of you.

There’s nothing wrong with not drinking, so hold your ground!

2. “I Can’t, I’m Waking Up Early Tomorrow.”

Everyone who’s ever drunk way too much will know what we’re talking about. Hangovers are the bane of drunk people’s existence as it causes dizziness, headaches, sore muscles, bloated stomachs, bad breath, nausea, and so much more. Indeed, some people choose to stop drinking simply because they don’t want to handle what happens when they wake up!

Depending on the person, hangovers can last a few hours to a whole day. So, if you’ve got an errand or a job, use it as an excuse! Tell anyone who’s asking that you have to do something a few hours later and can’t afford a hangover. Or, if someone tries to push, you can also say that alcohol makes you sleep awfully.

3. “I’m Trying to Stop Drinking.”

If you frequent the Internet a lot, then you’ve probably heard of numerous challenges that have blown up on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Some of them like the Tide Pod, Kylie Jenner Lips, and the Blackout Challenges are dumb beyond belief, but others like the Toilet Roll, Ice Bucket Challenge, and the 100 Layers Challenges can be loads of fun too.

Basically, people these days love a good challenge, and you can use that to your advantage. If someone asks you to drink, you can say that you’re trying out a week-long or a month-long cleanse. This shifts not drinking from something “bad” (not wanting to bond with your loved ones) into something “good” (wanting to accomplish a personal goal).

And the best part about this excuse is that it can last however long you’d like. If you meet up with that person a few months later and they ask if you beat the challenge, you can say you’ve made a permanent decision to stop drinking.

4. “I Already Have a Drink Here.”

It would be weird to offer someone food when they’ve already got a full platter in front of them. In the same way, it would be odd for someone to pass you some alcohol when you’ve already got a drink in your hand!

Be in control of what you drink. You can bring a beverage from home so you can make sure you’ve got something non-alcoholic you can nurse at all times.

If the gathering you’re at doesn’t allow outside beverages such as a bar or a concert, then head to the bartender as soon as you can and order something non-alcoholic. Don’t worry, you’re sure to find something non-alcoholic there—many alcoholic drinks and cocktails use sodas and juices as bases. A lot of bars also have non-alcoholic cocktails that look just like the real deal!

5. “I Don’t Feel Comfortable Drinking Alcohol.”

It would be downright rude to force someone who feels uncomfortable to drink. So, if you’ve got a particularly persistent and annoying person encouraging you to drink, you can pull out the big guns and say that alcohol has adverse effects on you.

Considering that alcohol affects a lot of our organ systems, there are so many ways you can do this. You can say that alcohol is bad for your skin—your face becomes red and splotchy, or you break out the next morning. You can also say that alcohol is bad for your digestive system—people with GERD or liver problems are always encouraged by doctors to stop drinking alcohol. Heck, you could even talk about your lungs—alcohol has been known to trigger asthma attacks before.

If you treat alcohol like an allergen, you feel more confident about saying no to drinking.