I’ve gone back and forth on whether to write about this on the blog.
If you’re following me on Instagram you might have already caught on to me quitting alcohol and in my stories I’ve skimmed over the reasons why. Skimmed.
But this was me, just days ago, announcing to the world that I no longer drink alcohol.
Affiliate links below.
I quit alcohol. I no longer drink. I am sober. Since January 23rd 2019.
And that timeframe, 10 days ago, means different things to different people.
For me – well, I literally cannot remember the last time I went this long without drinking. I expect it was when I was breastfeeding – some time in 2015. Also when I went through chemo in 2016, I don’t think I drank much in the first few months. So maybe then.
But shit. That’s three years ago. And since then, I’ve worked my way up to drinking way more frequently and in way larger quantities than I currently care to admit to. To you. Because I know, of course.
ORDER MY BOOK, “Less Wine, More Time”:
Australia: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
US: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
UK: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
Rest of World: order via Amazon.
But let’s get back to the 10 day’s sober thing.
Because 10 days to many of you might seem to be a bit of a ridiculous thing to highlight. And some people I’ve spoken to wouldn’t break a sweat at the thought of not drinking for such a short period of time.
For many others though, friends and readers, you’ve told me you can’t imagine not drinking for such a long period of time.
And for me, that makes me feel a crazy combination of relief and surprise.
Because, I thought I was the only one.
Why and how did I stop?
The two biggest questions I’ve been asked, since announcing to my real-life and internet world that I’d stopped drinking are why I did it and then how.
Is it my latest fad? I’m quite the fad-lover, you may have noticed.
But you don’t have a problem! Is another common response. Because my friends probably assume that we all drink about the same amount, at the same frequency, for the same reasons.
And I don’t know why they drink but I do now know why I did.
And what started as a way to ‘blend in’ as a teen, be ‘adult’ in my twenties or ‘relax’ as a stressed out mum has kind of spiralled into the uncontrollable.
I could not stop. I couldn’t even cut down. I was addicted to drinking. But discovering that was a relief.
I learned that it wasn’t a ‘willpower’ thing. I was simply addicted to drinking and I couldn’t stop.
Was I an Alcoholic?
The Oxford Dictionary defines Alcoholism as:
“Addiction to the consumption of alcoholic drink; alcohol dependency.”
The first part of that I can relate to. I was certainly addicted to the habit of drinking alcohol. Most nights, wine.
It became something I would look forward to daily – sitting down and having a drink because my day had been hard. Or amazing. Or sad. Or the best day ever. Or boring. Wine was the answer to all of life’s unanswered questions.
The second part of that definition though, being dependent on alcohol. I struggle with that a little. Was I dependent on alcohol?
No, I wasn’t.
More than anything, it was the habit of drinking.
7.00pm would roll around and after the kids were tucked up in bed, the routine of Netflix/snacks/wine would begin. Most nights. Some weeks, every night.
Which probably sounds familiar to many of you – and for the majority of people, that might not an issue – but for me it was.
Because when it came to the thought of cutting back, I just couldn’t.
How I quit Alcohol
It was a book that did it – a book!
Specifically, it was the “Easy Way for Women to Stop Drinking” book by Allen Carr.
You can check out Allen Carr’s book here in Australia, here in the US and here in the UK.
Two things attracted me to the book. Firstly, a heap of my friends had quit smoking with his how to quit smoking book.
Secondly, the title – the fact it specifically seemed to address the reasons why women particularly drink and how to help them stop. It spoke to me – well, pretty obvious title, right?
I read it, well actually I listened to it as an audiobook, every day for a couple of weeks – I’ll perhaps review it properly.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked as I discovered my issue wasn’t my fault.
It gave me answers and started to unravel the brainwashing about drinking that I had been subjected to for over twenty years.
You don’t stop drinking while you’re reading the book, in fact it’s encouraged that you carry on as normal, if you want to. Until the moment you have your last drink.
I actually drank my last drink the day before I finished the book, – it took me about two weeks to read it because busy mum etc.
I am Sober
And that was ten days ago and I’m feeling pretty good!
I haven’t shared too much in this post about why I was drinking and the specifics of how I stopped and my plans for the future, when it comes to alcohol.
Is it something you’re interested in?
It’s a little off-topic for the blog although of course I’ve shared some highly personal details of my mental health and physical health challenges in the past.
But let me know – if you want to know more. I’m an open book.
So there, I am sober. I plan to be sober forever and 10 days on from my last drink, I’m embracing a life of full, happy sobriety. A non-alcoholic ‘cheers’ to that!
You can check out Allen Carr’s book here in Australia, here in the US and here in the UK.
MY BOOK: Less Wine, More Time
As many of you know, I’ve just written the first draft of a book about my journey to and out of alcohol addiction.
It’s a very personal account of:
- what led me to drinking too much
- how I became sober
- my own strategies for staying sober
- the results of my survey into Motherhood and Alcohol
I’m excited to share this book with you and hope so much that it helps another person who might be facing the same challenges.
ORDER MY BOOK, “Less Wine, More Time”:
Australia: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
US: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
UK: Click to buy Less Wine, More Time now
Rest of World: order via Amazon.
Read next:
- I’m 60 Days Sober
- 6 Thing I Do to Improve my Mental Well-being
- 5 Ways to Manage Anxiety Naturally
- Printable Sober Stickers Range
PIN THIS POST:
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve been meaning to comment on this, but kept on not getting round to it. But finally on it. I think this was a brave post to write. I know you said you’re an open book, and you’ve shared lots of other things about your life and where you’re at, but you were still allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open in sharing this.
So yay you, and good luck as you work on your new habits and routines! :-)
Thanks for sharing this with us; wishing you well!
Thank you so much Kylie x
Having spent many a night with you 20 years ago with said wine, very impressed, well done. I’ve binned it during the week now and defo feel better for it xx
Ha ha ah the memories! But yes, 14 days in today :) x
Thank you for sharing your story. I think more and more women are choosing sobriety over drinking, which is wonderful. I have a habit of slipping in to having ‘just one’ every night and I don’t think that’s good so since Jan 1st I’ve only been having a drink Friday night and Saturday night and it’s made such a difference. I’ve not even missed it. I think as long as you know that you can challenge yourself to not drink and don’t have a problem doing it, then you’re okay. If you can’t stick to it then maybe it’s time to stop it altogether. Either way, well done you! xx
I think so – I’m finding a lot of friends are interested in doing it too :) Thank you! x
Good for you. Did I ever tell you I was teetotal for a year in my early twenties? Here’s why: https://www.refinedprose.com/am-i-an-alcoholic/
Be strong and stick with it if it feels right for you x x
Thanks lovely! It’s definitely the right decision :) x
I would love to hear more about your future with(out) alcohol! I’m not a big drinker, I have maybe 1 or 2 drinks a year, and it amazes me how often I come across people who aren’t okay with that and feel the need to try and pressure me to have a drink. Good job on 10 days sober! You’ve got this! xx
I will share more :) And yes – I’m just starting to see the strange looks when I tell people! x
Wow Mim, That is eye opening ! None of us seem to know what anyone else is experiencing do we? I don’t really drink at all. maybe once or twice a year I may have a small glass of port, but I don’t like feeling out of control, (anymore) Once upon a time I did, before being a parent, a real adult etc. But now almost nothing. I’m on the other side. I see ALOT of memes and comments about drinking. I feel like I am somehow missing out on the whole ‘relax with a glass of wine-after the kids are in bed.’ thing. Maybe I’m not really missing out at all? I just wondered why all the memes weren’t relevant to me, when it does seem like a whole culture that I’m not part of.
I used Allen Carr’s Easyway to stop smoking too. It’s brilliant. How good is it when you can find something/someone that talks to you on that level in addiction. 10 days is celebratory for sure ! Much love with your journey xxx
Yes to the memes – and guilty of them here too – but I just had to stop and this book has been an absolute miracle :) Thank you! x x
Mim. Well done. I’d love to know more about what you have done to fill the time when 7pm rolls around. More about all of it!
Thank you! And I will share more – I’m working on changing my routines and habits now :) x
Congrats on ten days. Awesome work. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
I don’t drink a hell of a lot, but when I do I still feel uneasy because of the associated risk of recurrence. Even moderate alcohol consumption is said to increase the risk, apparently. I find it better to just not have any alcohol in the house most of the time. Now I just need to apply the same logic to cakes, chocolate etc! DOH.
Thank you lovely Ness! Yes that’s one of my biggest reasons too – it isn’t worth it, is it? And yes, I’m struggling now with not replacing it with excess sugar argh something to keep working on! We can do it! x
Great blog – thank you for sharing! ❤️
Thank you lovely lady – PS I’m loving watching your amazing transformation – you’re killing it! x