For those of us who have attained our majority and are reasonably healthy, the decision to not drink is a personal one and one we take fully aware of the benefits and pitfalls. Zoe Williams (Fit in my 40s, 2 December), presumably, isn’t being forced to stop drinking and, her tone suggests, doesn’t intend to, so why did she bother engaging the help of a sobriety coach when her intention was only to laugh at people who don’t drink? I was berated – gently, but berated nonetheless – by a heavy-drinking friend of long standing because I no longer drink: when was I going to start drinking again?; drink makes for interesting conversations; no one who doesn’t drink can be fun. He was utterly bewildered at my decision never to drink again – one I made over a year ago and have never regretted. I go to pubs, restaurants and parties where people drink and I don’t. I have conversations, discussions, dances and flirtations with people who drink or don’t. There is nowhere in the world where it is not “humanly possible” to avoid drinking. There are many, many places, on the other hand, where not being a drunken arse is preferable. Zoe’s piece could have been humorous, informative and supportive. Instead, it seemed designed to belittle those who choose sobriety.
Annie Dehaney-Steven
London
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
