I went alcohol free after the first few weeks of lockdown (various reasons including my step children’s mother dying from alcoholism, the lack of routine making it easier to drink, stress etc) and whilst it was hard, what was more difficult was the pubs opening again and there being this culture to get “smashed again”.
I did drink a couple of times but didn’t enjoy the next days etc and found that after a few drinks I felt like crap and just wasn’t enjoying it the way I used to. I’ve done a few alcohol free nights out since but because of peer pressure I felt the need to hide my non drinking with 0% ciders or tonics with lime but no gin etc. I’d usually drink rosè wine so people noticed and commented that I may be pregnant and when I said “actually I’m just taking it easy for now” they asked if I’d had a drinking problem, like it’s and either/or situation. I’ve realised that people you’re with sometimes aren’t comfortable with you not drinking and they do pressure you. I don’t judge people for drinking at all, my husband still does and I buy his beers when I do the food shop, it’s just not on my agenda at the minute. When winter hits and I want a glass of red in front of the fire it may be a different story!
If Ferris doesn’t drink I bet the pressure from “the lads” is enormous, or he may feel (like I have) that you need to overcompensate with the fun time behaviour so that you fit in. The times I acted according to my level of sobriety I either hated it or they knew and the invites to social events stopped coming. That is hard, really hard to deal with. He maybe puts on a fun time show to not be left out. I believe from what he’s said that he’s serious about sobriety (doesn’t much care about the casual sex though) so maybe he’s just being extra fun.
Why is he the one pushing the Cali puss on stories though? That’s strange. She’s been in a few of James’ stories but it’s almost like Ferris is egging it on either to boost his own engagement because people will go to view his stories or to push James out of the relationship closet.
