Teetotalism

Teetotalism is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from the consumption of alcohol. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is known as a teetotaler and is said to be teetotal. Globally, in 2016, 57% of adults did not drink alcohol in the past year, and 44.5% had never consumed alcohol. A number of temperance organisations have been founded to promote teetotalism and provide spaces for nondrinkers to socialise. Teetotalism is found as an aspect of religious practice in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, and in some forms of Christianity. Other common reasons for choosing teetotalism are psychological, health, medical, philosophical, social, political, past alcoholism, or simply preference.