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My decision to give up alcohol
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It’s 5 a.m. I return home, my mind foggy and my senses dulled, after spending the night bar-hopping with my friends. The glasses of beer followed one another and, without even realizing it, I fell into a state of intense intoxication. Does this situation sound familiar to you? It was my daily life for years, maybe it’s yours too. But three years ago, I made a life-changing decision: I quit drinking.
I decided to share my experience, my struggles and the lessons I learned on my journey to sobriety. I didn’t consider myself an alcoholic, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. I didn’t drink whiskey all day. No, I was more of the type of guy who spent 2 to 3 evenings a week (sometimes more) drinking alcohol with his friends. This form of alcoholism, more discreet, is however just as harmful.
A destructive spiral
I am a binary individual: either I am fully involved in an activity, or I am not involved at all. When it came to nights out with friends, I always chose the first option. I became particularly generous once the alcohol was consumed, constantly offering a new round to my friends. And when the blackouts started, things really started to go wrong.
Blackouts are those moments of total memory loss caused by excessive alcohol consumption. You wake up the next day, anxious about what you might have done or said. These episodes became the norm for me, to the point where I became a real tornado with no control over my actions or words.
The alarm signal
The last blackout was a real shock for me. Nothing scandalous happened, but I had become ridiculous and incoherent. It was at that moment that I decided to stop drinking, supported by an addictologist who helped me realize that the only solution was to stop drinking alcohol completely.
The challenges of abstinence and the pride of sobriety
Quitting drinking was not an easy decision for my friends to accept. They had a hard time understanding that I was serious. Yet, little by little, I began to feel immense pride in spending a sober evening, in remembering everything I had said and done. And even though it sometimes meant leaving the party early, I knew it was the right choice for me.
The benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle
Here are the various benefits of leading an alcohol-free life:
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Physical health | Reduced risk of alcohol-related diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and certain types of cancer. |
| Mental Health | Reduced risk of alcohol-related mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. |
| Sleep quality | Improved sleep quality, which has positive effects on mood and energy. |
| Relationships | An improvement in personal relationships, often damaged by excessive alcohol consumption. |
| Savings | A significant saving of money that would have been spent on alcohol. |
| Productivity | An increase in productivity at work and in personal life. |
The profound transformation
Quitting drinking has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. I took back control of my life and saved my relationship. We even managed to buy our dream house. Professionally, my productivity has increased tenfold. My brain functions much better without the detrimental effect of alcohol, allowing me to make better decisions in my business.
Conclusion
If you have read this far, I congratulate you and thank you! I encourage you to try it too. It’s ultimately a matter of habit and I’m sure you’ll get a taste for this new life. Some friends might turn their backs on you, but don’t regret anything. Your real friends will be proud and happy for you. I am living proof that life without alcohol can be rewarding!