Why aren’t you drinking?

What do you say when someone asks you why you aren’t drinking? I’m relatively new to sobriety and even thinking about someone asking me that question gives me extreme anxiety. I’ve been avoiding social gatherings where people have been drinking, but the other day I had Christmas dinner with my family (some don’t know about my new journey) and was asked this. I stuttered out some random bs but now I am more anxious than ever.

What is your guys’ go to response when someone asks? I don’t want to give a snarky answer or put others down for their drinking bc acknowledging alcoholism is a highly sensitive and individual process. But I also don’t think I am the type of person to openly admit to everyone in every setting that I am an alcoholic.

Thanks to whoever responds and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!! IWNDWYI2025✨

TLDR: What to say when someone asks why you aren’t drinking.