The Best Things About Being Alcohol-Free

[Perriwinkles]

I thought a thread to remind us of what’s great about being AF might help motivate us. I’m only on Day 6 here but I already feel better! Let’s aim for 100 things (if there are more, even better); so if you’re replying, go from the next number on to the previous post.

I’ll get us started:

1. Clear-headed mornings.
2. Bright eyes
3. Remembering conversations from the night before.
4. Being able to consume calories from yummy food instead of alcohol.
5. Being able to drive anywhere at anytime.
6. Losing weight.
7. Less stomach discomfort.

(The next post can start from number 8. Let’s create an amazing, motivating list to remind us why we’re ditching the booze!). X

70. Remember all that time wasted on feeling hungover every Sunday morning? Realising that that is now free time to Porter and indulge in comforting activities!

71. Things don’t get broken in drunken hazes any more

72. No longer waking up with a lurch and and having to swig down alcohol in the morning without throwing up (was gross)

73. Steady hands

74. Not needing a partial liver transplant

75. Freedom/choice

76. So much less angry (I have family members still alcohol-addicted, and all they do is rage at the world)

77. No longer at risk of alcohol- induced dementia (Korsakoffs?) (however my toes had began to feel numb towards the end of my drinking, and the feeling now unlikely to return)

Yay to everyone who's binned off the alcohol! I've had many addictions (including heroin) and alcohol by far the most miserable.

77. Drinking herbal tea in bed on a Sunday night instead of wine.

78. Tidy and organised house!

I could never manage housework on the cycle of hungover am drinking pm.

79. Softer skin that's hydrated, looks and feels so much better.

80. No puffiness around the face, and a lovely, flat stomach

81. No stains on teeth due to red wine

82. Lovely, FRESH Sunday mornings, with no hangover anxiety

83. Being woken at 5am by the kids and rather than giving them a bottle and praying they go back to sleep so I can get the last sleep back in before hangover, but rather getting up and planning a day that’s focused on when I can get/consume booze without anyone noticing

84. Going to the gp without being terrified they’re going to order a full blood count bc you know your lfts are through the roof

*that’s NOT focused on booze 🤣🤣

85. Not having an uneasy feeling on a night out looking at the glass and wondering how soon the next glass can be ordered.

86. Adhering to the guidelines of medication that advises not drinking while taking it and actually reaping the benefits of the medication at long last.

87. No crazy drunken artificial energy followed my crazy hungover lethargy, anxiety and low mood.

88. No longer worrying about others judging my drinking habits.

89. Not having to listen to jokes about my drinking habit.

90. Not worrying about how I’ll get home alone from a night out or occasion.

followed by

91. Having the headspace to focus on important/nice stuff rather than being consumed by obsessive intrusive thoughts about booze.

92. No longer experiencing crippling anxiety, shame, guilt and paranoia.

93. Not having to lie every single day.

93. Saving money. Not just from the booze but because I now plan meals and order shopping without being under the influence and so don't get click happy. Also taking a healthy packed lunch to work because I've got the time and focus to do that rather than grab a yucky, unhealthy meal deal from the local supermarket

94. Better control over appetite (previous post reminded me!) When I am now hungry, I know it’s because I really am hungry rather than alcoholic munchies

95. Better example to teens and maybe making them less likely to become addicts themselves

Hi I absolutely love this thread and it's really made me feel more positive but there's a couple things I just wanted to get advice on. I'm now 32 and I've been a big drinker my whole life like every situation every day out every night out has always been based around alcohol and im now 32 years old with two children I really would love to stop I don't like who I am and I have a drink I don't know who I become I don't like the feeling is the next day I don't like anything but what I'm concerned about mainly is will my friends still want to be my friends if I don't drink? Will they just think I'm boring? Will we still have the same friendship or we still have the same fun?

Hi @courtney251
I think you should start your own thread for this. You will get so much helpful advice.

96. Being decisive. Getting rid of that “should I, could I?” feeling of being sober, and just getting ON and doing it. You tap deep when you are sober. The world looks and smells differently. My friends say I emit a different energy.

97. That feeling of goal accomplishment when you are a bit tempted by wine on a Saturday night, but instead go for a drive, watch the stars, smell the grass grow, spend the calories on something nice to eat and drive back, just for the hell of it.

My thoughts are even different. Much more about living a good life.

98. Having bright eyes

99. Knowing that you aren't affecting/ruining others lives by your drinking anymore (child of an alcoholic here with issues from that).

You are all awesome. What a wonderful thread!!!!

@Perriwinkles you need to do the 100th one!

Fantastic, @NeilBuchananisBanksy

WONDERFUL THREAD!!! I have come back to it so much. I hope it makes Classics.

Yes yes @Perriwinkles please do #100!

Aw I’m so glad ye find it helpful.

100. Creating a new alcohol-free community and opening up new possibilities as a result.

Oh my word, what a finale!!!!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Absolutely.
Sooo many great groups on Instagram, too.

THANK YOU for this thread. I’ve nominated it for Classics.

I hope you don't mind if I place mark for inspiration. I would love to go alcohol free. I quit for 'dry January' and felt so much better but I am struggling to cut out my Friday or Saturday night drink in the long term.

Good idea @ArblemarchTFruitbat

Ah @FanFiction you’re the best! We really need to remember the advantages. I’m enjoying a glorious strong coffee right now. I think coffee tastes better since being AF!

@AchingLimbs

51. Not sure how to phrase this one: attracting more healthy people, as being sober helps us reflect on core beliefs and values. I no longer have drinking partners.

This is very true. I've subconsciously made friends / partnered up with people who are also troubled drinkers, so that they wouldn't judge me.