So I’ve done some digging and found posts concerning dating alcoholics.. but almost none written from alcoholic’s perspective.

I’m 30. Recently I decided to give up alcohol once for good. I have three reasons for doing so:

1) I have a tendency to abuse alcohol whenever I use it and do things I regret later on 2) My father drank a lot. For this reason he was kicked out from the house and I grew up without a father figure. No wonder I suck with women lol 3) Due to alcohol abuse I developed nasty withdrawal symptoms such as extreme anxiety and arrythmias. This is the main reason why I quit alcohol so easily - I think all along I was self-medicating my anxiety and insecurities and now that the medicine is not working anymore I don’t really have any cravings. I’ve accepted my fate as a non-drinker.

Now that you have some background about myself, let’s move onto main topic.

I find it a little discouraging that most dating ideas involve alcohol, especially at the early stages. I’ve gotten laid with alcohol countless times, it was so easy! However, I don’t want to talk about casual sex here but dating for a relationship.

I feel the need to communicate that I’m a non-drinker early on. I feel it’s important that the other person knows what they’re signing up for. I don’t care whether they drink or not, though. So here’s the thing: what do I say at the early stage when asked the question (which in my experience is always there) why do you not drink alcohol?

Let’s review my reasons listed above. 1) A red flag, lol. I guess even if I explained that my relapse risk is close to zero because of my GABA receptors going nuts, that’s still a huge turn-off at a first or second date. 2) Too personal to disclose my bad childhood at the early stage. We’re supposed to have fun! 3) This makes me look weak. Also disclosing health issues at the early stage is a turn-off.

What the hell do I say? Either I tell one of the reasons listed above and ruin the date or make up some excuse like that I’m on an antibiotic or don’t like alcohol - which is a lie.

What do you guys think?