what is life like without Alcohol? Positives please.

[freshlysharpenedpencils]

Today is the day I stop drinking. I have woken up once again in pain, feeling sick, depressed and feeling bloated and fat. I have an upset stomach. I have always used alcohol as a crutch - as a stress reliever and as my 'fun'. Enough is enough. I am fed up of feeling like this. But I have always always been a heavy drinker (wine).

I find it synonymous with so many occasions and cuisines! Don't get me started on Christmas.

So my question I suppose is - what is life like without alcohol? Any positives? Anyone given it up and never looked back? Can I still enjoy weekends, christmas, holidays etc without alcohol?

yes KillmeNow some nights I was almost forcing down a not particularly nice bottle of wine thinking "why am I doing this I'm not even really enjoying it". Didn't stop me. There is something psychologically rewarding about reaching the end of the bottle for me, before the guilt kicks in.

Normal drinkers would have tipped it down the sink or cooked with it.

I decided last xmas that I was going to get through 2014 without drinking. I had been getting through a bottle of vodka a week (so about 4 units a day) and was concerned about it. I was sick of feeling rough, making a fool out of myself and being indiscreet on nights out, worried about the fact that I had driven a couple of times after drinking a unit or two with my kids in the back, and I also knew I was self medicating my mental health issues (anxiety).

It has been really good for me. Yes it has been tough at times - it has been a bad year with a lot of difficult and stressful times - but it turns out I am stronger than I thought and booze never really helped like I thought it did.

I have enjoyed nights out more which shocked me! I can remember everything, turns out I am just as witty without a drink (more so most likely!) and my friends who were all a bit worried that I would become 'dull' when they were drinking have all been pleasantly surprised (and I have noticed they drink less too).

No hangovers has been amazing!

My weight is dropping (at first I ate to make up for losing booze but that has stopped now).

My anxiety did get worse for a while but I have worked hard at counselling and cbt so feel better than I have in a long time and I didn't just stick a band aid over the problem this time!

There are less than 3 months to go until I can drink again but I can honestly say i could take it or leave it now. After the first 3 months of my booze free year the habit was entirely broken and I haven't craved a drink once.

I would say don't cut down, that is harder than stopping if you have a problem with booze. Just stop for at least 6 months to really knock that habit. You won't regret it :)