I'm an alcoholic.

Throwaway for obvious reasons.

I'm a real alcoholic, the two-pint-a-day-of-vodka variety, and recently moved to Japan. I've been sober a year and change, solidly committed to my sobriety. I have zero fears of drinking again, (today) but I am unsure about my approach to drinkers here. Back in my home country, depending on the person who offered me a drink, I could flatly refuse a drink with the excuse "I stopped drinking for health reasons" and to people who knew me, I felt comfortable telling them I am an alcoholic, and even share my recovery story if they asked. But what about here? There is no way I can be bullied/forced/cajoled to drink, because nothing comes before my sobriety. It has to. How can I explain to people that I can't even have one sip of an enkai beer? "Osake ni arugi ga arunndesu yo...?" "Alcohol chotto nonndemo tomaratenai?" Is AA or other support groups a thing over here? Saw some meetings on aatokyo.com but they are pretty sparse. Are there sponsors? How is alcoholism discussed here? Feel free to PM me.

I appreciate everyone here being a part of my recovery!

PS. The answers to your questions:

1. Yes, I know in Japan alcohol flows freely. I was a college exchange student here.

2. The reasons I moved as an alcoholic to a country where boozing is so prevalent are irrelevant.

3. Yes, I know me not drinking will cause friction in the workplace. That's why I'm posting this.