Alcohol Abstinence: No Longer Counting the Months. And Takeaways.

Because I had a habit problem but (arguably) not an addiction problem, I don’t keep track of or celebrate anniversaries of my alcohol-free life. Also, the day I gave it up is not one I remember precisely. I do recall having my last IPA, but at the time, I didn’t even know it would be my final drink. It just somehow happened. There was a gradual shift — that year, I had already been drinking less before that last beer, and then I stopped. No drama, no resolutions, no planning. I just stopped. Countless years of having 2–3 drinks in the evening and then I stopped.

I said I don’t count, but let me count — it’s been ten months now. Not a single sip of any alcoholic beverage. I wanted to share my experience, not because it’s dramatic, but because, well, I just want to share my experience

• I just said it — it’s not that dramatic. I’m the same person I’ve always been.
• Maybe, and probably, my body is cleaner, but I’m not physically stronger. I run every day, and I know my body very well. I’m as good as I was a year or two years ago when I was having drinks every evening. Not better.
• My sleep isn’t better. I suffer from bad sleep because of my poor sleep “hygiene” — my sleep schedule isn’t fixed, and I use my phone too much before bed and when I wake up at night. Giving up alcohol didn’t improve my sleep.
• I tend to eat more sweet desserts now. Previously wine after dinner acted as a kind of post-meal…