A Year Without Booze
Posted on December 31st, 2023.
For twelve months, all of 2023, I didn't drink alcohol. It wasn't some pre-meditated cleanse or a "New Year, New Me" fad. It just...happened. My girlfriend and I decided to do "Dry January" as a reset after the holidays. But one month turned into two, then three, and before I knew it, we found ourselves falling into a rhythm of sparkling water and mocktails instead of pints and cocktails. Thankfully this wasn't a white-knuckle slog through sobriety; it was a natural shift in our routine, and the more we embraced sobriety, the more the reasons for it bloomed.
Sure, there were exceptions. Popping bubbly with my girlfriend when we both landed new jobs felt right. And that Topo Chico on the Pacific coast? Let's call it vacation magic. But beyond those two blips, it was a year of clear nights, sharp mornings, and a deeper understanding of myself (and my stomach).
Are you out of your mind?!
At first, many people asked me "Why?!". A few factors motivated my break from booze:
- My girlfriend and I felt increasingly dependent on frequent, casual drinking as part of our social routine. We'd have a few drinks on our date nights or at get-togethers with friends, and the drinking days were starting to greatly outnumber the sober ones.
- I struggle with digestive issues including acid reflux, which alcohol often triggers. I wanted to remove that variable and determine if drinking less would offer more permanent relief than Tums could provide.
- Frankly, after listening to some of the research about the negative health impacts of even low-to-moderate drinking we wanted to be more thoughtful about our consumption.
The Adjustment Period
Giving up drinking didn't happen overnight, and it wasn't all rainbows and sparkling water. Navigating social situations sober was awkward and a little weird at first. I didn't love having to explain to colleagues why I'm ordering a water at happy hour. Date nights meant navigating bar menus like a vegan in a steakhouse. And having to skip the post-run beers with our running club certainly tested our willpower. Replacing that evening glass of wine with a non-alcoholic imposter felt like showing up to a costume party in street clothes. There were moments of longing, of missing the ritual, the clinking of glasses, and the shared laughter fueled by liquid courage.
Finding new default behaviors was key. Non-alcoholic beers (some of which are better than others!), mocktails that didn't taste like disappointment, and evenings that embraced quality time over endless rounds – it took creativity, but soon, the "weirdness" faded, replaced by a newfound sense of control and clarity. Over time, we settled into new habits of focusing more on the company and conversations.
Did it help?
The big question is did avoiding alcohol for an entire year actually result in meaningful improvements in my life? Yes and no. I think the benefits outweigh the negatives, but its wasn't a panacea that cured all. In terms of benefits, let's start with sleep. My sleep quality dramatically improved - no more tossing, turning, and waking up feeling like a rumpled sock; drenched in sweat or with a pounding headache. It was also much easier to maintain a regular sleep schedule when you're not up against "one more round!" or ravaging the pantry for late-night munchies after getting home from the bar.
How about the brutal hangovers? Disappeared like magic since you can't get hungover if you don't drink!
Digestive issues? Improved, but not cured. Turns out, stress and dodgy takeout still have a say in things. But its been nice to get rid of the almost guarantee of an acid reflux flare up after a night of drinking. Above all, I feel more in control of my health and habits without drinking's frequent interference.
Keeping this train rollin'
So, will I be forever Sober Steve? Probably not. I believe alcohol has a place in life, for celebrations, shared moments, and yes, the occasional indulgence. But that daily drink, the social lubricant that eased me into autopilot? Gone. This experience proved to me that I don't need alcohol as often I thought to enjoy social occasions or unwind.
My goal moving forward is to restrict drinking only to special events like weddings, anniversaries, or the very occasional celebration where I can take a measured, mindful approach. Giving it up completely isn't realistic or necessary for me. But I now know that I can live happily with drinking far less than I did in the past.
This year wasn't a punishment. It taught me about my relationship with alcohol, my body's needs, and the beauty of a clear head. It wasn't a cure-all, but it was a damn good reset button. So if you're considering an extended break from alcohol or giving it up entirely, I encourage you to try it. Be prepared for some awkward social adjustments at first. But you might just find that you don't miss it as much as you imagined, and that there are tangible lifestyle benefits. It was certainly worthwhile for me. Cheers!
