adjective

abstinent

AB-stih-nunt/ˈæbstɪnənt/

Deliberately avoiding an indulgence.

He remains abstinent from alcohol throughout the treatment program.

White adult chooses sparkling water over offered wine.

Etymology

absLatinaway, off

+tinLatinto hold

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

The pieces describe someone holding back or keeping away. Applied to appetites, that image became a description of someone refraining from indulgence, especially in food and drink.

In context

SomamBIKE18:44

many do choose to remain abstinent of alcohol however in order to prevent a relapse or problem Behavior

Teetotalism : the practice or promotion of total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.

More examples

She has been abstinent for several months.
The study interviewed sexually abstinent adults.
They supported his decision to stay abstinent.

Similar words

abstemious: Uses restraint in consumption rather than necessarily avoiding it completely.
sober: Usually means not intoxicated rather than avoiding all indulgences.