I can certainly see your dilemma.

First of all, stick to your reality. I have respect for you for choosing not to drink because, well, you don't want to, and not giving in to the pressures that may incline you towards drinking. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. It's overrated anyway, really.

You need to advertise yourself as someone who is confident, right? That's pretty well an accepted fact. Confidence is your comfort with yourself and your limited reactivity to others' perceptions of you. If people ask, "Why aren't you drinking?", you say, "Because I don't want to."

That being said, being the one sober guy in a herd of drunk partyers can be hard. For one thing, you don't have that 'drunk confidence' that seems to come with alcohol, you are one of the few who isn't drinking, and may not be partying quite as hard as most other people without the alcohol to cloud your judgment.

Needless to say, this is a pretty uncomfortable situation. If it's not fun for you, why do you still do it? You have a couple options here:

1. Make these parties fun, despite being sober. If you find yourself thinking, "I would be having fun if I wasn't sober", this is a limiting belief. You can still have fun when you're sober, even more so than when you're drunk. Go to a party and do what you find fun - dance, rave, do backflips, have an intellectual conversation, make out with a girl in the bathroom. Whatever you find fun, do it. If anything, you will find gaming easier as you can think straighter.

2. Do something else. Sure, these parties are the social centers of any Friday night on campus, and most of your buddies and the hot girls you want to game will be there. But it comes down to what you want to do, not what they want to do. Don't let your buddies or these girls decide what you do with your night. Do what you want. Watch a movie with a girl or some friends. Tell a girl you're going downtown and want her to come.

There are many more options than just having to go to the party and live with your grief.

If you must party and immerse yourself in the drunken social scene (there is nothing wrong with this), have people into your room - host the party. Being the host, even if you're sober, will immediately up your value and your vibe. You'll most likely have more chance of being the social center of the room if the room is yours in the first place.

Good luck!

_________________
-Sharplin
My journal:
sharplins-journal-vt84603.html?highlight=

I have stopped drinking a while ago...for the simply reason I don't need it to enhance my confidence. My top tips are:

1. If a girls asks you why your not drinking simply reply "I don't need to" - this is all you need to say, it sounds a little ambiguous to the girl. The reason why you leave a hint of ambiguity is because you want her to make her mind up as to why you are not drinking - you basically don't want to qualify yourself to her. She will soon come to the conclusion that you don't drink because your not like the rest of the other guys and you are more mature, this will act as a big DHV.

2. Ride on the wave of energy that drunk people create. In other words dont fight the silly banter and the rowdy behaviour just go with it pick up off the energy. The more you fight it the more frustrated you will get. Feed off other peoples energy and let them have the hang over. Remember your energy has got to be slightly higher than the venues in order to stir some interest in you.

3. Dont make a big deal out of the fact that your not drinking to your mates. Dont even tell them. That way they probably wont recognise the fact your drinking softdrinks and they will not pressurise you to drink.

4. Remember that if your in a club 99.9% of people are drinking. Nobody actually gives 2 shits about you because they are drunk. Use this to your advantage by testing new dance moves and PU techniques and observe peoples behaviour. Which guys and pulling which guys are getting blown out. Observe and learn.

Best response yet! Seriously if you said I'd have to chop off my left nut for your response I'd do it. I'm gonna succumb to such advice.