abstainer

An abstainer is a person who refrains from a particular activity or substance by choice. The term is most commonly used for someone who does not drink alcohol, but it can apply to abstaining from other behaviors such as smoking, gambling, or following a diet. In social, medical, and political contexts, abstainer simply describes someone who chooses not to participate in a given practice.

Etymology: Abstainer derives from abstain, from Latin abstinere (ab- away + tenere to hold). The noun abstinence refers to the act or practice of refraining, while abstainer names the person who does so.

In everyday life, abstainers may abstain for health reasons, religious or moral beliefs, personal preference, or recovery from substance use. In political settings, an abstainer is a participant who does not cast a Yes or No vote, and abstentions may be recorded differently depending on the jurisdiction. In clinical or treatment contexts, abstinence is a goal or outcome.

See also: abstinence, abstention, temperance movement. The abstainer is described in neutral terms as a voluntary choice rather than a judgment about the person.