But actually it wasn’t a full-time job; it was simply learning a new way of being. However, the shades of gray no longer felt good, and I wanted a full on technicolor rainbow, and I knew that to get one I had to do away with the other—so I did. I was capable of any of those behaviors and, looking back, I fit the description of a gray area drinker very neatly. I wasn’t physically dependent on alcohol, but I might have been emotionally dependent.
Cultivating Inner Radiance: Overcoming Depression Without Alcohol
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- I am a much happier and healthier person to be around, and that makes a difference.
- Get ready to unleash your inner superhero as we embark on a transformative path to nurturing your mental well-being.
- I discovered that chaos had been a default position for so long that calmness was too unfamiliar.
For a long time, I was performing jobs that I was capable of doing, but I didn’t really love. Since quitting drinking, I have aligned with what is right for me. No more ‘Sunday Scaries’ when going back to work on Monday. When I was drinking, I was waking up hungover almost everyday. In addition to the right medical and professional care and local support groups, online resources can play an important role, too. This year, we’re honoring alcohol recovery blogs that are committed to educating, inspiring, and empowering people on their recovery journey.
Scan the QR code to get started!
I’m so pleased to report that my twenties were packed full of fun, joy, and excitement, and the beautiful thing is, I got to know my true, authentic self on a much deeper level because of my sobriety. When I was a drinker, I ran from emotions, avoided uncomfortable social situations, ignored my insecurities, relationship issues, and responsibilities by pasting over them with alcohol. My confidence was manufactured in a bottle, my emotions suppressed with it, and my connection to self was incredibly stunted. Once the alcohol was removed, I was forced to face myself—and I’m so glad I did because now I’m more authentically and unashamedly myself. My confidence is overflowing, and I’ve had to do the healing work because I’ve had nowhere to hide. But socialising is a skill that, in my humble opinion, needs to be practised.
What to know before you quit drinking.
Have you ever been asked why you don’t smoke cigarettes? If you’re a woman of child-bearing age, expect people to ask (or wonder) if pregnancy is the reason you’re not drinking. Contrary to what you may think, going alcohol-free may put some strain on your relationships at first.
From Stress to Serenity: 99 Strategies for Managing Mental Health without Alcohol
If you find that you’re struggling with cravings and slips, there are medications that can help. With self-help books, social support, and/or therapy, you can also learn different ways to manage the urges with various coping skills. You may be surprised to learn that alcohol is one of the only substances with the potential for life-threatening https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-anxiety-can-drinking-cause-panic-attacks/ withdrawal. And many people also don’t realize that you can experience withdrawal symptoms even if you were only drinking a couple of drinks a day, or not even every day. In recent years, the term Sober Curious has become popularized for individuals who aim to dabble in sobriety without any hard set rules or regulations.
Managing Parental Anxiety: Cultivating Calm Amidst Challenges
The concentration of liquor licenses is linked to numerous issues such as increased alcohol consumption, violence, and public safety concerns. Additionally, the area is burdened with crime and quality of life problems, further exacerbated by the high density of alcohol outlets. I am passionate about the mental health of young people being taken seriously and dismantling the idea that ‘youth’ means you cannot suffer from dependency benefits of living alcohol free issues. If we normalise and destigmatise not drinking or drinking more moderately for young people, maybe more will get help sooner and save themselves years of suffering. Many find their mental health affected the most due to alcohol. The term “hangxiety,” the feeling of extreme anxiety due to a night of over-drinking, has even risen in popularity as more people begin to connect their rise in anxious feelings to alcohol.
- And while this isn’t a list of top podcasts, you can’t mention Since Right Now without mentioning the highly acclaimed podcast that runs every Wednesday night.
- The key to a successful alcohol-free life lies in identifying and embracing resources that align with your personal goals and lifestyle.
- When you stop drinking, you immediately get to benefit from savings you would have been spending on alcohol.
- This leads to a healthier heart, capable of efficient functioning and less prone to diseases.
- It’s a journey, and a long one at that, but you are so worth the work and perseverance.
- 90% of my relationships have improved since going alcohol-free.
- How on earth would I navigate friendships, dating, sex, workplace socialising, emotional upheaval, birthdays, parties, my own wedding?
- I believed it had made me a fun, jovial, sociable human being—which, looking back now, is hilarious.
- I was capable of any of those behaviors and, looking back, I fit the description of a gray area drinker very neatly.
- In the end, the people who mattered supported my sobriety, and I’m now able to enjoy more authentic time with them.