I gave up drinking. Here's why.

For the past 8 months, I’ve been completely teetotal. I’ve not drunk any alcohol since before Christmas 2014.

I’ve come to realise that the answers to my life’s problems don’t lie at the bottom of a bottle, and sometimes I found I can’t be certain there isn’t an answer there, til the bottle is empty.

I respect those who wish to keep searching for themselves, and for me, it’s time to call of the search (of alcoholic bottles).

I don’t think I realised at the time, but subconsciously I started binge-drinking self-destructively – I think subconsciously wishing for something to have a dramatic effect on my life. I say subconsciously – it was concious in a sense, but I couldn’t identify it as a serious thing to avoid. It was sort of prefixed by “loooooool, at least something interesting will happen”.

I’m lucky that apart from a few sore heads, and missing some fun opportunities, the negative impact on my life has been minimal. But it could have been huge, and very painful. I’m glad to have removed myself from those situations.

I’ve never really liked drinking. Since I turned 18, I’ve always thought that the most enjoyable drinking I’ve ever done was age 17, and it’s never really got back to that point. I enjoy being aware of the situation I’m in, and I feel able to have fun, without being drunk. Not-drinking isn’t a super-new thing for me – at one point in the past 5 years, I remember going to a popular nightclub, completely sober. The soberness wasn’t a terrible part of the experience (getting lots of glass embedded in the bottom of my shoe… that wasn’t ideal!).

It’s been 8 months now, and I don’t regret it for one moment – I’m happier, more comfortable with myself and more relaxed. There are times when I like the idea of a drink – but I know I’m happier sober. 🙂

FAQs:

What do you drink?

Everything. That’s not alcoholic. It’s that simple.

Shouldn’t you just drink less?

I found it really difficult to know the difference between ‘fun’ and ‘too much’. Since the ‘fun’ wasn’t really linked to the alcohol, and more the circumstances, I feel it’s easier for me to abstain.

Isn’t going out less fun?

I find it more fun. We get to do things that are actually fun, rather than just drinking. I find things that are just focused on drinking less fun, and yet I enjoy hanging out with people who are fun to hang out with.

Don’t you miss a great beer?

Yes. My favourite non-alcoholic beers are Cobra and Erdinger. I would love to try more.

Becks Blue is an alright drink, but cannot be called a great beer.

Doesn’t this help with van driving quite a bit?

There are unexpected positive side effects. Never having to think about the drink-drive limit is one.

Are you doing drugs instead of drinking?

Lol. No.

Are you casting judgements on everyone else?

No. Just like I’m happy other people like eating broccoli so I don’t have to, I’m happy other people can enjoy alcohol without any downsides.

Is this for forever?

Probably not. I reserve the right for it to last as long as I want it to. If and when it seems like the right time to drink, I may do. It’s like to be in moderation.

Trying to pressure me to drink ‘right now’ is likely to be a bit like pissing into a jet exhaust.

Haven’t I heard this before?

Probably.

This is no fun!

I said no drinking. Messing around, playing games, taking the piss, telling stories… I’m cool with that sober!