7 Things You Will Experience When You Quit Drinking

The Good, The Bad, and The Reality

If you’re a scroller and curious about quitting alcohol, you’ll likely be fed a lot of content about the joy of being alcohol-free. People sharing how wonderful it is and all the upsides.  I am happy about this, it’s motivating and inspiring, however I am also aware that most of us aren’t stupid.  In the same way that many people present their problem free lives on these platforms, I know firsthand that, like my life, my alcohol-free journey has not been challenge free.

 This post is aimed to give a balanced view.  Why?  Because I wonder if all the hype about quitting alcohol may deter those of us who tend to lean toward realism,  who value truth over hyperbole, and who want to know about the pros and cons, before making a decision.

 I’ll start with the challenges so I can end on a high note.

 Three Challenges You Will Likely Face When You Stop Drinking

1.  You Will Feel Uncomfortable

One of the biggest reasons people turn to alcohol is to escape or numb uncomfortable feelings. Many deny this, but it’s often because the drinking has become such a habit that they are not tuned in to the underlying feelings that prompt picking up the bottle.

Alcohol offers temporary relief for undesired feelings in the body, be it stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, desire to amplify a moment, or general dis-ease.  When you quit, those feelings don’t disappear—they often come to the surface, and because the barrier is no longer there they can feel overwhelming and icky. This is a challenge, but also a blessing...read on.

2.  Social Situations Can Be Tricky.

If your life is anything like mine was then social events are often built around drinking. If you’re not drinking it can feel like you’re a bit of an outcast, you can also even feel envy as people lose their inhibitions and seem to be having fun.  You may even be faced with people trying to encourage you to drink, but, as I’ve discovered, this is more about them than me. Still, it is a challenge that you will need to learn to overcome.

3.  It Takes Time, Patience, and Compassion

 Changing your relationship with alcohol isn’t something that happens overnight. Building new habits, rewiring your brain, and creating a life that doesn’t revolve around drinking takes time, and it can be frustrating to wait for the results you imagine you will see, especially if you’re exposed to the social messaging that you’ll feel AMAZING, immediately and forever!  Be prepared to feel flat, bored, anxious and, maybe even afraid. But remember, you’re trading regret, shame, and remorse for feelings that are inevitable, even when you’re drinking. 

Compassion gets its own line. It is in my opinion the number one skill required to make not drinking last.  Radical kindness to yourself during the process allows you to learn to love and respect yourself, something few of us were taught.  You don’t want to hurt someone you love.  But don’t mistake compassion for indulgence, compassion is giving yourself what you need, not what you want.

Three Fabulous Things That Happen When You Stop Drinking ( four actually, sorry)

1.  Clarity and Mental Freedom

 One of the best parts of quitting alcohol is the clarity that comes once you leave the haze of alcohol behind. This was the first real benefit I noticed after about a month.  I could think clearly again, I was switched on, my brain felt light and I became stimulated by life again. Without the dark clouds obscuring my thoughts and judgements I started to feel in control of life, focused, and motivated. Decisions became easier to make, priorities become clearer, and I had the mental energy to tackle things I’d been putting off.

I also realised how much headspace had been hijacked by decisions like “Will I drink tonight?” or “How much is too much?” or “Why did I do that last night?” Instead, I loved the freedom to focus on what genuinely mattered to me.

 What comes with this is the state I value the most, peace of mind.

2.  You Look Better!

I was grey, tired, and dehydrated. My skin and eyes were dull, and I was constantly trying to ‘work off’ the alcohol (along with the associated food items eaten after drinking) with little to no luck.

It wasn’t long after I quit that I noticed my eyes became bright white again, my skin had colour, and more bounce, and gradually the bloating, puffiness, and weight gain fell away.  Sleep has a lot to do with this, if you’re well rested the body does its thing way more effectively, giving you energy, vitality, and a lift in mood that was previously propped up by the evening ethanol.

You lose empty calories, bloating, puffiness, and exhaustion, along with stubborn KGs that you may never lose if alcohol is on the table.

3. A Boost in Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

There’s something incredibly empowering about knowing that you’re capable of making a big change in your life. Quitting alcohol is a huge confidence booster because it shows you that you are stronger than you might think.  Every time I choose not to drink,  I remind myself that I’m in total control—and that’s still an amazing feeling.

 As you become more confident you might notice it spilling over into other areas of your life. You might start pursuing hobbies you were putting off, speaking up for yourself more, or going after goals you used to think were out of reach. The boost in self-confidence has a domino effect, and it all starts with the courage to quit drinking.

I know I said three of each, but I think it’s also worth mentioning one more immediate pro.

4. You Will Save Money

Drinking can get expensive! Whether it’s out at dinner, bottles for home, or just casual drinks here and there, the cost adds up. Not to mention the cabs, fast food (maybe), and possibly the odd late-night drunk shopping spree.  When I quit I used the sober app to track my savings and it added up to about 12K in one year! I did include a decent reduction in my husband’s spending too, he drinks way less now that I’m alcohol-free.

When alcohol is no longer a must-have there are plenty of ways to spend your hard-earned money that reward you with long-term happiness, instead of a nighttime quickie, followed by feeling like crap.

 I could certainly go on, both on the pros and the cons, but hope this gives you a somewhat balanced summary. When it comes to making the decision, I think it’s worth going in with your eyes open, knowing it’s not all going to be IG-worthy news. If we ground our expectations in reality we’re less likely to give up when the going gets tough.  What I can say unequivocally is that the longer you stay quit, the easier and better it gets.