I’m trying to find “my people”. Let me explain.
I’ve never been called an alcoholic or even been accused of “having a problem”. I’m 22 years old and I would drink like any other college kid with their friends.
I decided to get sober because of the physical and mental complications that came along with drinking. I am on a couple medications that didn’t agree with alcohol and i have pretty severe depression, i felt like with all of those factors drinking wasn’t serving me well. Now that I’ve stopped I’m so much more alert, Productive, and feel like i have more control of my body/life.
Where i run into problems is i don’t feel like i belong in any community. I was never a full blown alcoholic and i don’t want to take away people who have been working really hard to stay sober. But on the other hand, none of my friends understand why I’m really trying to be sober. They think it’s a phase or that I’m kidding or that I’m doing it for attention. This is compounded by the fact that they never saw me as someone who had a problem with their relationship to alcohol. So they aren’t sure what sparked this new path.
I am happier and i feel healthier and i want to keep up with being sober but i feel like a fraud.
You’re not a fraud. You’re brave!! Being an independent thinker is an unpopular concept for children, adolescents and adults. I take Prozac and Hydroxyzine. Both prevent me from drinking. And though I want to, I chose my mental health. Stay strong and don’t fold to the will of others. You deserve all of your life’s decisions. And real friends will stand with you in solidarity. I wish you the best. Very proud of you.
I really appreciate that perspective. Definitely what i needed to hear tonight. Thank you! And good luck in your journey
You are more than welcome. At your age, you are definitely an inspiration. Keep standing up for yourself and your sobriety. And if you ever need to talk, feel free to reach out. It takes a village.
If you are not an addict or alcoholic, you won’t understand some of the stuff that makes us our kind of people. But that doesn’t exclude you from the sober community. He11, I think most of us wish that more “normies” didn’t drink. lol It’s sad that our society makes people think we are weird if we don’t put poison in our body. Good for you. Keep it up. Just because you don’t end up in jail like me if you drink, doesn’t mean that it isn’t in your best interest to avoid it.
That’s really interesting! I never thought about how polarized things are. Meaning you’re either a “normal” drinker or you’re an alcoholic. I do fall somewhere in between of not having a “problem” but also just not wanting to drink anymore. It’s a little isolating from both communities and i appreciate that i won’t ever know the true struggle. Good luck with your sobriety, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts
I would say do not worry about what others think of you or your choices. Do what you feel is right. I am happy that you are deciding to stop at such an early age. You will save yourself so many hardships I am sure. You are always welcome here
Your true friends will support you no matter what you choose
Making a positive life change sometimes looks like a threat, to people who still do what your trying to change. They feel as if they can't be the same around you if your not doing what they're doing. It's how they have been accustomed to relate. Which is why peer pressure is a mother Frrr growing up. If you asked me my honest opinion. I'd have to say, your friends should support your decision and keep comments about it to a minimal if they have anything negative to say or doubts. I go out and order a sprite with grenadine stirred with 2 cherries on top of the rocks. My friends make jokes and call it a Shirley Temple. Surround yourself around people who can enjoy being around you.
If ya see some similarities.. chances are that you qualify.
“CHANCES” Not “DEFINITE”
I myself have an allergy to the stuff.. break out in squad cars handcuffs and ER rooms 
Like you it’s not good for my health. There’s just to much complications involved.
This is a safe place full of like minded individuals with plenty of experience strength and hope to offer.
What’s really cool is that there is only one requirement.. a desire to stay clean/sober. That’s it a simple desire no secret hand shakes or any other challenges.
I hope you feel welcomed 
Hi Zoe. Your post was a wonderful thing to read.We all have to make choices in life. The choice you made to stop drinking seems to be very positive for your health and well-being. You have made a good decision to help yourself. They tell us alcoholics that people, places, or things that may encourage us to drink we should stay away from. We don’t tell diabetics to load up on sugar…. Well, although we can’t criticize others for not understanding why we can’t drink, it is absolutely in our control to surround ourselves with others that understand our choice and don’t think about whether we drink or if we don’t. You have a lot of courage to do this and you need to keep moving forward one day at a time. 
you will find here / in AA that we welcome you and will help you. All you need to do is reach out:sunny:
The path differences matter less than the common purpose.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Call yourself whatever you want. I’m glad you’re here. And you’re not alone. There are lots of people who will never personally experience the destruction themselves who choose to eliminate alcohol. You’ll find your tribe. And lucky for you they’ll be on hikes, not in bars, hospitals and jail cells.
The only requirement to belong in a recovery community is the desire to stop drinking. Sounds like you have that! Welcome home
You don’t have to hit what people call a bottom to stop drinking or driving. Your one of the few lucky people that can learn this early in life, befor all the problems. Relaps is part of recovery but not mandatory. In the preamble it says we’re not interested in how much you used or with who. Only that you have a problem and want to do something about it. Your right where you should be. Now live life and enjoy it.
Welcome! I think ur very courageous. And mature. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Ur friends may b critical of you the evening they’re drinking, but I bet the next morning when waking up hungover they are wishing they were more like you. You may inspire those around u to rethink their drinking. If not, that’s cool. Never apologize for being true to yourself. You do you 
Hi Zoe, what an amazing realization to come to at such a young age. You do not have to fit the description of a rock bottom drinker in order to get sober. Anyone can question this relationship with alcohol at anytime. I did not reach a physical rock bottom, instead, similar to you, at 28, I realized alcohol was not longer serving me. Before getting sober I was only a social binge drinker, I didn’t drink alone, I didn’t hide my drinking from anyone. But it had to stop, I’m also on several medications and have a diagnosis that the suggestion is to abstain from alcohol. What a HUGE improvement in my life since I got sober. I am 3 1/2 years sober and have never looked back. If you are interested in programs other than AA, then let me know, I would be happy to provide some more information for meetings to attend.
Never too soon to quit drinking poison for fun
That is the Beauty of 12 recovery it is your own path what works for you may not work for and someone else there are suggestions but in the end it is about being apart of a group and apart of you self the steps teach me how to play nice with my self and the traditions teach me how to play well with others and the fellowship show me love and understanding
It’s wonderful that you are realizing your path so early on in your journey! Your friends should just appreciate that they will always have a designated driver in their group 
! Carry on!