Clarity and finally trying to quit booze 2026 - anyone else joining?

[Sunshinebound99]

So here goes - I found my moment of clarity late at night on a recent family holiday. I had thought for a long time I didn’t have a problem and was just a social drinker. But what I have realised is that as time has gone on I have become more and more dependent on it. And it gives me nothing. But takes a lot. I was able to drink quite a lot on weekends and feel reasonably fine on the night if not a bit argumentative from time to time but the next day - horrid. It’s not worth it. I’ve also read peri is much improved by no alcohol.

I have found C Pooleys book incredibly helpful and wonderful.

what scares me a little is the serious amount of booze at my professional work events and my social anxiety. I used alcohol as a crutch. But I think I can do this. Well, I hope I can!

even my little son has already noticed and commented last night that he never wants to drink wine. He’s an insightful little chap :)

Great post. I've been sober since last spring. Had a similar moment of clarity after a night out where I drank too much. I suddenly saw the effects that alcohol was having on my health and my life and it suddenly wasn't worth it anymore for me.
I definitely used alcohol as a social crutch but found over the past few months that I didn't need it as much as I thought I did.
What helps for events is knowing what I'll say to people if they ask. I just say : I'm not drinking at the moment and that's become more relaxed over time. I plan what I'll drink too, so generally a non alcoholic lager is my favourite and readily available in most situations. If not, I'll have a water or soft drink. This helps me to choose a drink before I get tempted or talked into a drink.
It's practice and every time gets easier.
I've noticed that lots of my peers who still drink, drink so much less these days and I could never do that.
While it's not always easy, I would say I'm reaping the benefits, particularly for where I am in life, also around the perimenopause age. You can definitely do this :)

So great to hear! Love your tips for nights out and I will try. I am a little concerned about the colleagues and friends who may no longer want to hang out / find me more dull and feeling a bit on the outskirts of frivolity but perhaps they will come around in time. Congratulations on being sober since the last Spring that is so inspiring. It is weird to think that something so small as a drink can have such a huge impact on lives. I feel ready for change.

Is no one else joining us?? X

I quit 5 months ago this week and if I do say so myself I look fucking incredible… I have abs and my hair is thick again like it was when I was a teenager. My skin is clear…. A year ago I was overweight (just), anxious, exhausted and spotty.

Plus, I’ve been able to help two people I love with devastating personal issues with complete clarity and capability. I feel cool, calm, collected and intelligent.

Best thing I have ever done. I can’t encourage you enough to go through with it!

Well done for wanting to make this change. Give yourself time to adjust. The thought of going to a party or event without alcohol filled me with horror at first.

I’m coming up to 3 years sober now. Honestly, it’s fine. There is some stuff that I truly don’t want to go to, so I don’t! I think if you have to drink to force yourself to do something, you’ll don’t actually want to do it anyway, so don’t. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I say no to stuff that sounds shit now. But I’ve done birthday parties and weddings and funerals and school pub crawl fundraisers all without alcohol and it’s truly been fine. Once you get used to doing it, it’s no big deal. I’m not a social person. I don’t particularly like people. 😂 But I can absolutely go for a few hours and talk to people. I simply leave when everyone starts to bore me. 🤣 It isn’t nearly as scary as you think it will be.

In the early months though, look after yourself. It’s okay to simply make your excuses and not go if you’re not ready yet.

So good to hear @mindutopiaand @ladycrustybread

this is all really motivating and good advice. Thank you 🙏

onwards! 💪

Btw I really wish there was another word for ‘sober’. It doesn’t feel like being ‘sober’ it feels so much alive. I appreciate these are incredibly early days but words have power. I want to find another word.

Unimpaired rather than ‘sober’?

Clarity,like you have in your thread title, is a good one.I have definitely found some since I stopped.Self-care is another one.For me,choosing not to drink is the ultimate act of self-care.