Teetotalism refers to either the practice of or the promotion of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is called a teetotaler.

Often, a {{Badass}} character with a DarkAndTroubledPast will curiously abstain from drinking with the rest of the characters, usually indicating that
* he wants to keep his wits about him;
* is a recovering alcoholic, or
* his bastard parent was a drunk.

A common prank is to [[IntoxicationEnsues trick this guy]] into drinking a "Long Island Iced Tea" (which ''is'' an alcoholic drink).

See also StraightEdge, SmugStraightEdge, StraightEdgeEvil, and the DryCrusader who is the more militant and self-righteous version of TheTeetotaler. Contrast with IDoNotDrinkWine. Direct opposite of TheAlcoholic. These guys often prefer a SpotOfTea -- though that's ''not'' where the "tee" in teetotaler comes from, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_etymology common myth to the contrary]]. It's from "T-Total Abstinence," which is a form of TropeWithACapitalT.
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!!Examples

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[[folder:Comics -- Books]]
* [[{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]] is a teetotaler in the comics (and most adaptations outside of comics, including the Nolan films). Though his public persona is a borderline alcoholic.
* ScottPilgrim claims to be one of these, though he does drink on occasion and has gotten drunk once. [[spoiler:This may have something to do with how Scott purposely changes things in his mind to idealize himself]].
* Joshua Carver of ''NoHero'' never drinks, smokes, and is a vegan.
* Billy Butcher from ''TheBoys''.
* Matthew from ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', and he stopped drinking the hard way -- as in, he died while drunk-driving in his previous life.
* Jay Garrick, the original [[TheFlash Flash]]. Mostly as a result of him being an old-fashioned elderly man.
* Jackie Estacado, a.k.a. ''VideoGame/TheDarkness,'' doesn't drink alcohol. And honestly, are you gonna [[BullyingADragon rag on him for it?]]
* When we are first introduced to Dwight in ''SinCity'', he abstains from alcohol. He soon TakesALevelInBadAss but seemingly continues not to drink, as evident when he is shown visiting bars but doesn't drink. Granted, he's typically working in those scenes but that doesn't stop other characters.
* After recovering from his drunken fall from grace, [[IronMan Tony Stark]] was this. However, it remains if it stays after [[ComicBook/FearItself he sacrificed it to get Odin's attention]].
* ''{{Tintin}}'', who holds himself up to Boy Scout-like standards--making him the perfect foil for his companion [[TheAlcoholic Captain Haddock]]. (Tintin ''was'' [[IntoxicationEnsues shown drunk once or twice]], but never by his own fault--one time, he and Haddock got locked in a room full of wine and were affected by the fumes, for instance.)
* ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'' is teetotal, which appears to [[LegacyImmortality go in the family]]. He is at one point revealed to have a bar filled with 300+ years' worth of various vines and other spirits that have been gifted to the Phantoms over the years, that are still unopened because neither he nor any of his forefathers have ever touched any of it. His trademark DrinkOrder is milk -- which, no matter how seedy the bar he walks into is, they always have a bottle of somewhere.
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[[folder:Fanfiction]]
* Severus Snape in ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3735743/1/The_Moment_It_Began The Moment it Began]]'', of the "drunken father" variety. Ironically, it's later ''him'' who attempts to initiate a night of pub-hopping with his now-recovering dad, [[WhatTheHellHero who calls him out on it.]]
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[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Played with in ''ToBeOrNotToBe'':
-->'''Colonel Ehrhardt:''' You know, I never quite trust a man who doesn't drink or smoke.\\
'''Jozef Tura:''' ''(as Professor Siletski)'' You mean, like our Führer?\\
'''Colonel Ehrhardt:''' Yes... '''''NO!'''''
* While it wasn't directly referenced in ''LAConfidential'', Russell Crowe asked the writer and director whether his character, Bud White, ever drank alcohol. They told him no. Because he likes [[DyeingForYourArt dyeing for his art]], Crowe did the same during the entire shoot. As an Australian, he was miserable.
* Nicholas Angel from ''HotFuzz'' was this in the beginning, drinking only Cranberry Juice. However he decided to drink beer later.
* Léon, the eponymous character of ''Film/TheProfessional'', usually opting for [[TrademarkFavouriteFood milk]] instead. However, he does have one glass of champagne to celebrate his apprentice's first hit.
* [[RussellBrand Aldous Snow]] of ''ForgettingSarahMarshall''. However, he does revert back to alcholism in ''GetHimToTheGreek''. Russell Brand, who plays Snow, is actually teetotal.
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[[folder:Literature]]
* Sir Lancelot became one during ''TheOnceAndFutureKing'', and Sir Galahad, of course.
* In ''[[TheChroniclesOfNarnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader]]'', Eustace's parents were teetotalers.
* There are numerous teetotallers in the works of Creator/GKChesterton, who almost always turn out either to be fools or thoroughly bad lots (one example is the Rev. David East in "The Man Who Shot the Fox").
* Ibram Gaunt of ''GauntsGhosts'' became an alcoholic at one point. He gets clean and becomes this trope.
* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}''
** Commander Vimes stopped drinking entirely around ''Discworld/MenAtArms'', because he's a recovering alcoholic and doesn't want to get back onto that slippery slope at all. Although his body doesn't make enough natural alcohol, leading to him being in a constant state of knurd. Being knurd means you can't block out all the imperfections and failings of the world around you and constantly see everything at its worst. One time, he listed forcing him to tip away an entire bottle of single malt whiskey to be worse than murder.
** Captain Carrot (surprisingly, given he was raised by dwarfs): In ''Discworld/GuardsGuards'' he was "persuaded to try a small shandy, and didn't like it much", and in ''Discworld/MenAtArms'' he [[DrowningMySorrows drowns his sorrows]] in [[DrunkOnMilk milk]].
** Magrat Garlick, although she's been a victim of IntoxicationEnsues once or twice.
--->'''Nanny Ogg''': I said to the man, "What kind of fruit drinks do people drink around here?" and this is what he gave me. Made from bananas. A banana drink. You'll like it. It's what everyone drinks here. [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment It's got bananas in it]].
--->'''Magrat''': It's certianly very ... strongly flavoured. Has it got sugar in it too?
--->'''Nanny Ogg''': [[http://www.cocktailmaking.co.uk/displaycocktail.php/53-Banana-Daiquiri Very likely]].
* CharlieChan is a teetotaler, but in a bit of double irony he is no fan of a SpotOfTea; he prefers sarsaparilla (a nonalcoholic root beer-like drink).
* The residents of Ennett House Drug and Alcohol Recovery [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment House]] (''[[RunningGag sic]]'') in DavidFosterWallace's ''InfiniteJest'', being required to join AA or NA, are of course therefore required (theoretically) to be recovering alcoholics, but Don Gately eventually comes to be an honest one (it's important).
* Sir Raoul in the TortallUniverse is the "recovering alchoholic" type.
* Gussie Fink-Nottle in Creator/PGWodehouse's ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'' stories. Until his nerve snaps right before he officiates at that [[CrowningMomentOfFunny grammar-school prize-giving ceremony.]]
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[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* Seth Bullock on ''{{Deadwood}}''. In contrast to the frequent use of alcohol by other characters (Doc Cochran, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock, Al Swearengen and his men), Bullock rarely drinks at all. [=IIRC=], he only does so once during the first season, and its done with Swearengen as toast at the end of their conversation.
** Also of Deadwood A.W.Merrick who is the recovering alcoholic type, save a couple episodes where he falls OffTheWagon
* ''Series/MurdochMysteries'': Detective William Murdoch doesn't drink because his distant father is TheAlcoholic and he wants to keep his head clear for his investigation. He drinks only very rarely for special occasions or ForScience He actually really said that when he wanted to find out the effect of drinking a bottle of absinthe in two people.
* Mr. Garibaldi on ''Series/BabylonFive'' starts off as recovering alcholic. He slips into drinking for an episode when he's framed in Season 1. In Season 5, his alcoholism became OffTheWagon.
* In ''Series/RumpoleOfTheBailey'', Sam Ballard seems to be one at first, being a goody-two-shoes who only ever drinks mineral water...but then we learn that he isn't, but [[CantHoldHisLiquor really ought to be]].
* Neil Burnside of ''TheSandbaggers'' wants to keep his wits about him -- shortly after being promoted to section chief, he had to resolve a crisis while extremely drunk, and resolved that he was never going to be in that situation again.
* Sam on ''{{Cheers}}'', who interestingly owns the bar.
* Captain Jack Harkness in the first season of ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' only has one drink: to raise his glass to a fallen soldier. Otherwise he's always drinking plain water while whoever he's drinking with has something alcoholic. This becomes even more conspicious if one considers his original ''Series/DoctorWho'' characterisation which included a habit of heavy drinking. He much prefers good coffee over a SpotOfTea, though.
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[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* CMPunk is StraightEdge. Which also makes him this trope.
* Jerry Lawler, in real life, is also StraightEdge.
* TripleH, as part of a short mini-feud between D-Generation X and CM Punk's "Straight Edge Society" unit, once claimed humorously that he also lived a clean lifestyle but without the need for any of the cult-like theatrics involved in SES.
** Speaking of D-X, ShawnMichaels says he pretty much abandoned all his vices overnight the day he immersed himself in Christianity.
* JohnCena seems to be an embodiment of clean living and good morals in his character. Considering how much time and dedication he puts into representing the WWE in real life, especially for the kids, there may be some truth to it.
** Averted actually - Cena is a pretty hard drinker, but never in front of the kids.
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[[folder:Radio]]
* [[RogerAllam Douglas Richardson]] in ''CabinPressure'' is revealed to be teetotal (a recovering alcoholic, eight years sober) at the end of the first series. He hides it to maintain his reputation as a work-hard play-hard sky god, swapping whisky for apple juice or vodka for water as part of his elaborate schemes.
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[[folder:Video Games]]
* A lifestyle choice in ''KingdomOfLoathing''. Choosing to be incarnated as a teetotaler will block your ability to drink alcoholic beverages for the entire run in favor of a greater ability to consume food (which is unlocked about halfway in). There's also the "boozetafarian" path, which is this reversed, meaning that you may not consume food, while alcohol is completely fine, and finally the oxygenarian run, in which you may consume ''neither'', although you can consume things that don't count as food. Needless to say, the oxygenarian run is the one that yields the most rewards.
* Blaise in ''RuneFactory3'' openly hates alcohol. Apparently [[NoodleIncident something happened when he had "a glass of wine at a party", but he doesn't remember and no one will tell you what!]]
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[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Kittan of ''Webcomic/DoubleK'' '''was''' one of these. But a few panels of hanging out with Kamina, and a certain word starting with a p and rhyming with fussy changed that real quick.
* Gabe from ''PennyArcade'' doesn't even take aspirin or those vitamin boosts at Jamba Juice, and was too nervous to take his prescribed anxiety medication. Compare to the often-drunken Tycho.
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[[folder:Real Life]]
* The pirate Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts was a Teetotaler.
** Maybe. Given the [[GoldenAgeOfPiracy time and place]] in which he lived, "Teetotaler" was a relative term. The average 18th-Century pirate would piss away entire fortunes on women and booze at the nearest opportunity, and Black Bart was one of the few who didn't. "Teetotal" could mean anything from "never touches the stuff," to "enjoys the occasional beer but doesn't drink away his life savings once a week."
* AdolfHitler was, at one time, a very dedicated smoker (and drinker), and grew to find the habit disgusting. After his entrance into politic,s he drank very little, stopped at the first glass of champagne or low-alcohol beer.
* 26th President of the United States TheodoreRoosevelt was a Teetotaler. His drink of choice was coffee which he was rumored to have drunk at least a gallon of a day.
* Former President GeorgeWBush is in recovery, having been decades ago TheAlcoholic and become the trope after experiencing all the evils of hard drinking on himself.
* Vice-President JoeBiden has a family with a history of alcohol problems, so he swore it off completely.
* Creator/RichardEGrant. CueIrony when he was cast as the alcoholic Withnail in ''Film/WithnailAndI''. The director got him to go on a drinking binge once to better understand the character. Grant reportedly found it "deeply unpleasant".
* Possible TropeCodifier: Wyatt Earp was known for drinking tea instead of alcohol. This obviously gave him a useful advantage in reaction time when breaking up (the perpetrators of) barfights.
* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Ulrich_Rudel Hans-Ulrich Rudel]], [[AcePilot Stuka bomber pilot]] and quite possibly the most [[PersonOfMassDestruction destructive]] man '''ever''' abstained from both drinking and smoking.
* Creator/FriedrichNietzsche saw alcoholism as a method of escaping from reality, which was also the basis on which he rejected religion and mysticism.
* [[{{KISS}} Gene Simmons]] states that the reason that he's such a successful rock star was that he never drinks and never does drugs.
* RussellBrand
* NataliePortman
* Theoretically, [[UsefulNotes/{{Islam}} Muslims]], [[UsefulNotes/{{Mormonism}} Mormons]], and certain others are supposed to be teetotal. In practice, this varies widely, generally corresponding to the individual's general level of piety. [[note]]Piety defined as following the official rules of the religion. It is not to be confused with faith, or sincerely believing in the tenets of the religion; people who have faith but are not pious often have justification for it, and even for those who don't...well, there's the old saying that [[{{Hypocrite}} hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue]], or in a phrase some might understand better, CatholicGuilt.[[/note]] This can come as a shock to some, who are so used to the stereotype of Muslims and/or Mormons being DryCrusader teetotal fanatics that the sight of an otherwise perfectly sincere and decent Muslim/Mormon casually tippling has been noted to set their minds on end.
* Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench abstains from alcohol, due to his "dark and troubled past."
* [[LetsPlay Let's Player]] {{Raocow}} is straight-edge. [[TalkativeLoon Not that it's possible to tell.]]
* KathyGriffin proudly claims to be one of these, as her response to growing up in a house with many alcoholics when she was a child.
* Contrary to [[TheAlcoholic his portrayal]] in ''Film/{{Zulu}}'', Sgt. [[BritsWithBattleships Henry Hook]] was noted as a teetotaler and model soldier. However, after the [[AngloZuluWar Battle of Rorke's Drift]], he stunned his companions by getting in line for the grog ration. "After all that," he explained, "I feel I need a little something."
* From RoosterTeeth, Ray Narvaez, which makes him pretty much the only person who doesn't drink in the entire company. Keep in mind that the company's podcast used to be called Drunk Tank. From what he's said on the subject, it's neither a moral standard nor a fear of addiction; he just doesn't like alcohol much.
* DanCastellaneta, in contrast to Homer Simpson.
* Arin Hanson, aka {{Egoraptor}}, has stated before that he doesn't drink.
* DanielRadcliffe became one of these after struggling with alcohol abuse during the later ''HarryPotter'' films.
* Pancho Villa.
* Website/{{Cracked}} columnist John Cheese was once an alcoholic, but swore it off after his doctor told him he'd be dead by forty if he kept drinking. He has written several moving pieces about his experiences.
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