I really enjoyed reading this post! I found I could relate to many parts of it. Like you, I had friends in high school who weren't into drinking/smoking and I thought I was super lucky to have found people like that (especially because it was hard to remain friends at that age if you don't drink, at least at my school). However, senior year rolled around and they starting drinking. They didn't bother inviting me and that drew a line. I went off to college and they stayed at the local community college and despite coming home every summer, I became the outsider. I am about to turn 21 and I am worried about being excluded because I don't drink! I never liked the taste, sensation, and also...I have a huge major reason not to drink recently: my brother is an alcoholic (and my parents are dependent on it, they have 2-3 bottles of wine every night), that makes my chances of having alcohol control me skyrocket! Anyway, sorry for my rambling, I just hope I can be like you - confident in not drinking and have friends who will accept that. Drinking is just such a part of hanging out, relaxing, and even business relationships that I am afraid that not drinking will put a line between friends again, and romantic and business relationships. Anyway, thanks for the post! It's nice to know I am not alone.