The number of people going on and on about their wonderful alcohol free lives

[Eastie77Returns]

It’s a bit boring now. Every other Opinion essay or online article today is written by someone waxing lyrical about their decision to stop drinking and how incredible their lives are now followed by judgy comments about the poor saps who still drink, use it as an emotional crutch and are too wine addled to realise they are drinking themselves into an early grave. It’s all a bit sanctimonious and honestly…who cares?

I hate to say it but I agree. I totally support anyone who does this as it can be life changing for some but I just don’t want to talk about it all the time.

I actually agree with you and I am nearly a year AF. Drink or don't drink but I am not sure why it has to be all you talk about.

I think that if people have a strong reaction to this it probably says more about them than they want to admit.
Not drinking alcohol for a month should not be difficult. If it is, you have a problem whether you want to admit it or not.

It's Dry January so of course these sort of articles are popular. Give it another month or two

I think it's typical for the time of year.
I'm inclined to agree though, I've recently unfollowed a couple of people because whereas before they seemed well balanced & interesting, they now have nothing to talk about except not drinking.
And that's great for them but enjoying the odd glass of wine doesn't mean I'm not fully focused in my own life!

I think it can be a bit of an epiphany though.
I've never been a drinker ‐haven't drunk anything for several years‐ and really wouldn't care if I never had another drop of alcohol again. But I did use to smoke back when making one's own rollies were a thing, and giving that up definitely made me feel slightly evangelical and I'm still massively relieved and grateful that I'm not still at it.

I disagree. I think alcohol is incredibly dangerous and it has become normalised to drink. I have never drank (only because I dislike the taste), people look at me like I have two heads when I say this. I also looked after a patient recently who had liver cirrhosis from social home drinking, they never realised the dangers.

You sound exactly like the sanctimonious articles that OP is sick of.

It’s not a reflection on others that we don’t want to hear you banging on about your own preferences.

I gave up drinking because it was affecting my sleep and next day energy levels once I hit peri, I also developed a facial allergy to it at this time too. But I don’t bang on about it.

I'm currently doing dry January and have many friends who are cutting down permanently in middle age. I think it's a bit joyless to give up for good. It's nice to party from time to time

You can scroll past OP.

This.

I have 1/2 bottle with a meal probably twice a week. Any more than that and things go pear-shaped the next day with feeling tired+++

Still - I've never had the urge to do a dry January

I've read a few opinion columns, many not about giving up alcohol, and the ones that are don't seem to judge the poor saps still glugging away.

Perhaps it's where you look for reading material?

Eventually the news will be judgemental about things everyone enjoys. But it's good to hear opposite views.

Want to post some links? So we can all read how sanctimonious they are..

No offence intended - you have a reaction to reading about being alcohol free. Ask yourself why you are reacting in this way. If there’s anything troubling you or you are unsure do see your doctor to discuss alcohol and anything connected to this. I’m not saying you have a problem - I’m saying why does this bother you and seek medical help if necessary.

It's just the predictable cycle of content. Soon it will be opinions about valentines day or "is Galentines Day replacing valentines day?" then the joy of the dawn chorus then a critique of the pressure to have a beach body etc etc etc. Then before we know it we're back to "how to survive the winter blues" and pieces about Christmas. Oh and there'll be some about digital detoxing at some point. Just don't read it if you're not interested or have heard it all before.

Exactly. Just don't engage with it in anyway as if you do on social media your algorithm will feed you more of it. If sanctimonious posts on FB are getting to you then either block that from appearing on your feed or even better come off FB.
And just don't read articles about it!

It’s virtue signaling though. Same as announcing you are vegetarian or vegan and being so much healthier

Alcohol, overeating, drugs, not getting enough sleep, not exercising. All these things, over time make your body and mind feel like shit. When you give one up, even temporarily, it can be a eureka moment. People are bound to talk about how these changes have improved their lives.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/picture/2025/jan/03/how-the-romans-invented-dry-january-the-stephen-collins-cartoon

You reminded me of this cartoon OP

I stopped drinking about 10 years ago.

Most people have no idea - but if anyone asks why I'm not drinking I just say I don't.

I've found that plenty of others who don't drink don't talk about it constantly either - for the fact I don't know they don't drink like me unless it comes up!

I suspect it's in media a lot because it seems when somethings trending everyone comes out of the woodwork about the same topic!

Opinion essay or online article.... don't* *read them if it so bothers you then? Can't say I've even clicked on one.
Perhaps if the content bothers you your subconscious is trying to tell you something about your own alcohol consumption.

Nonsense. It's new year. People go on about alcohol the same way they go on about joining the gym or giving up sugar. If it's not already a sensitive subject, then it'd only be so much background noise. If its actively annoying you, then clearly there's already a sensitivity there. People who don't already have issues with alcohol won't care.

Alcohol is classed as a carcinogen and as harmful to your health as asbestos according to WHO. It is the 3rd leading reason for the cause of cancer. If alcohol was invented today it would be a banned substance.

It is highly addictive yet the consumption of it is so normalised and rammed down our throats.

Anyone who stops drinking alcohol has made the best decision for their health...in every way not just physical health.

However I understand it can be annoying people going on about it but I would suggest if you have to bang on about it you had a problem as otherwise you'd naturally just not drink!

I don't think some people realise the impact on their mental well being. I didn't realise for years post drinking anxiety was a thing! Every aspect of my life is better if I don't drink...even just 1.

I'm a drinker so I know the risk....but I'm addicted.