I Quit Drinking Alcohol for 3 Years And This Is What Happened
It wasn’t what I expected.
Quitting alcohol can be a life-changing decision, and it’s not always an easy one to make. However, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make. Having quit drinking alcohol for three years now, I know it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
At first, I tried to cut back on my drinking, but it wasn’t enough. I knew that I had to quit completely if I wanted to make a real change in my life. The decision to quit was not easy, and I struggled with it for some time. But eventually, I committed to giving up alcohol and haven’t looked back since.
Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from my three years of sobriety:
Sobriety is not easy, but it is worth it
Quitting alcohol is not an easy task, and it requires a lot of hard work and determination. There are times when it is tempting to drink, and it can be challenging to resist that urge. However, the benefits of sobriety far outweigh the temporary pleasure of drinking. Something that works well for me is having my mind made up no matter where I go or what I do that drinking is not a choice. I have one choice, and that is to do anything other than to drink.
Sobriety has a positive impact on mental health
Drinking can mask underlying mental health issues, and quitting alcohol can bring these issues to the surface. It’s not until recently that the levels to my anxiety reach deeper levels of calm but that didn’t come without paying my dues.
When I initially quit drinking, I sank into a deep well of fear. This was the worst that I had felt physically, emotionally and spiritually ever in my life — ever. That came as a surprise to me because I thought I had experienced the peak of my mental health struggles years prior.
However, with the right support, getting past that darkness is possible. Since quitting alcohol, I have noticed a significant improvement in my mental health, including reduced anxiety, less paranoia, less triggers and even if I do get triggered, I have the ability to not act out on them. I can see them for what they are and self-regulate, move past them.
Improved physical health
Drinking alcohol has a detrimental impact on physical health, leading to issues such as liver disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. This is a no-brainer. My metabolic health struggled when I was a drinker. Metabolic diseases run in my family. I’ve since been on a low carbohydrate diet to improve the mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction alcohol and drugs reaped on my body.
Strengthened relationships
The strongest aspect of my relationship with my wife is that we have an open line of communication. We trust that the other person is strong enough to handle the truth. Drinking had created a strain in our relationship at some point. It put a huge splinter on my ability to have emotionally mature conversations. Since quitting alcohol, I have even been able to develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with my wife, family and friends.
In conclusion, quitting alcohol can be challenging. But once you’ve decided that you are ready to hold yourself accountable, go through the ups and downs of life without a crutch and give yourself the opportunity to show up as yourself, things do get easier. Healing is possible. I don’t think about having a drink or soothing myself with a drink when life gets intense anymore. I don’t know what life holds in store for me next, but I hope that I am given the courage to continue facing it with grace and strength.