Simple ways to say “no” to a drink without saying it. Even though you may have decided you want to drink less, it can still be difficult at first to refuse drinks offered by friends and family.

This article is part of Dry January, Straight Up, your no-BS guide to cutting out alcohol ... I’ve found it really hard to just…say that. Instead, I’ve fallen back on awkward half-truths ...

In college, I enrolled in a peer counseling training program where we were taught the importance of setting boundaries. One exercise required us to practice saying a simple, emphatic “no.” The ...