The Case For Normalizing Sobriety

I’ve been sober for about 2.5 years and I still find the whole experience of telling someone I don’t drink incredibly awkward. It usually goes something like this:

Them: Do you want a beer or a glass of wine?

Me: No thanks.

Them: You sure?

Me: Yeah, I don’t drink.

Record scratch. All eyes on me. Look of sheer mortification and confusion, followed by a long pause that makes me wonder if I’m meant to elaborate or not.