5 Ways Your Life Will Change After Quitting Drinking
Aug 28, 2023Life After Quitting Drinking Rocks!
Now that you've decided to quit drinking, there are so many changes that await you.
Some of these changes might be instantly positive, some might turn your whole life around, some might be challenging, and some might need a lot of work. Some of them might require you to completely overhaul your life, providing a few plot twists on the road to unlocking better opportunities.
But one thing is for sure, quitting drinking is one of the greatest decisions you will make, and you're in for a great new journey.
Here are the five things that'll change once you've quit living a life ruled by alcoholism.
1. You're going to have more time
Back then, I used to come home to a glass of wine after a stressful day at work. I feel burned out and I need a form of release to de-stress. My wine sits at the table waiting for me to pour myself a drink or seven. It's like a huge, huge part of my nightly routine, and it seems almost impossible to break that vicious cycle.
Drinking has become such a huge, self-destructive part of me that I drink until I fall asleep as early as 8 pm, even without eating dinner. I'll drink until I pass out. Then, I sleep for about 11 hours, only to wake up feeling that wave of fatigue sweeping over me, not to mention that heavy pounding in my head from the hangover. I literally had to drag myself to work only to repeat the same routine every single day.
But that was then and this is now!
Now, I wake up with seven hours of sleep full of energy and I feel empowered to have the courage finally break that vicious cycle.
Once you've quit drinking, you'll find a lot of time in your hands. You're gonna have to be ready to keep yourself busy so you don't slip back to the old routine. The goal here is to prevent yourself from going into relapse.
Go start that business, go find a new hobby, go spend more time with your spouse and with your kids - you'll find so many things much worthwhile than numbing yourself with alcohol. Believe me, it's going to give you a sense of accomplishment to wake up knowing that you've finally stopped wasting your life away.
You're going to have so much more time. The time that you can spend on improving things you used to neglect while you were stuck chugging bottles and bottles of alcohol.
Best to dedicate this time by finding a new thing to work on, such as immersing yourself in sports, martial arts, gardening or even try new things.
You get to have more time bonding with your children and with your family, and even more, time to focus on your career improvement. Time to go get that promotion, take your wife/husband on a vacation, or build a new treehouse for your kids.
It's all about converting time into many valuable decisions.
2. Your relations are going to improve
Drinking might've led you to neglect your relationship with your family, your spouse and even your circle of friends.
Once you've stopped drinking, it's time to make up for all the lost time. It's time to reinvigorate your relationship with people that matter to you.
I've known quite a few married men and women who quit drinking which allowed them to rescue their marriage from the brink. They went from somebody who spent hours in the pub of an evening to a full-on family man, and nothing is more fulfilling than seeing them finding the happiness they can't get from being drunk all the time.
But, as things go, it's not going to be easy as it sounds.
The alcohol you are drinking might be masking problems you don't tend to pay attention to, and now, drinking is no longer an option to 'escape' these issues.
It's now a must to face them head-on.
Struggling with a failing marriage? Go get a marriage consultant to help you sort out the problems and issues you have been avoiding.
Fazed with a midlife crisis and thinking that you haven't accomplished anything by your age? It's not too late to get your head in the game and go get that career advancement.
Kids growing up so fast, that you missed all their younger years because you're so drawn to drinking alcohol? It's not too late to spend more time with your family on weekends for a quick vacation.
You see, it can be such a beautiful thing to try and save your relationships after coming clean. You're finally going to have this inner peace that you are now becoming a better person, and you're ready to take more challenges as you go along improving yourself.
3. Your circle of friends is gonna change
Drinkers come in huge social networks. You automatically assume you have a lot of friends.
But when you've stopped drinking, you'll realize that your drinking buddies are not really your friends. They are just there for the shared drug use.
They are there because of one thing - alcohol.
And you'll begin to realize certain things, that these drinkers only enjoy drinking by seeing social proof that their "friends" are doing it too.
But there is no 'safety in numbers' when it comes to drinking poison for fun.
These beer pong friends don't really care about you, let alone don't care about you as an individual- you're only befriended with them because you get drunk together.
And you're gonna have to discard people like these from your life, completely. Before they ever convince you to have a drink together and find yourself spiraling down into a relapse.
4. You're gonna have to re-evaluate and redefine your definition of fun
When I was a drinker, I used to think any place without alcohol is a huge waste of time. A place or event without drinks was immensely boring to me, and I have to have a drink to start engaging with people.
This was, of course, all a lie. Occasions don't need alcohol to be fun, but rather drinkers are miserable when they can't get access to their drug!
But then I stopped drinking, for good.
I find the usual places I visit when I was into heavy drinking a bit odd.
I used to think that these people are fun and full of humor.
And when I got sober, I was dumbfounded by the fact that these people are just wasting their lives away with alcohol. Doing things that they aren't supposed to do, and aggravating their problems with poison. People that knew the negative sides of cognitive dissonance, but keep suppressing the cautious voice in their head by drinking even more alcohol.
I decided this is no longer my definition of fun.
So, I went ahead to explore more things with my family. A trail on forest parks, walking the dog with my kids, a time with my wife on a romantic dinner - and that changed my perspective of fun.
Find out what makes you immensely happy. Find what intrinsic happiness is- is that a fulfilling career? Celebrating your anniversary near the Northern Lights? A candlelit dinner with your spouse? A baking and cooking weekend with your kids?
You can now finally view happiness from a new perspective without the dangers of drinking alcohol and being on a relapse.
5. You literally will start changing
People will think you're on something, ironically.
People will begin to notice subtle changes and begin to wonder what's going on, and that's completely okay.
Now is your time.
- Work towards the amazing life that you are capable of.
- Get that promotion, save more money, augment your income, take your spouse on vacation and enjoy family trips together.
- Time to get money right and start working to getting your dream home.
- Spend your disposable income on life insurance policies and more informed financial decisions than wasting it away for a happy hour in your nearest bar.
- Time to work on that business you've been putting off for years.
- Time to free up more time to live life to the fullest.
If you want to be completely free from the vicious cycle of binge and habitual drinking - you might need a supportive circle, and that's where I come in.
You need a guide to finding your sobriety, happiness, and peace of mind, without the need for a bottle or two.
About Us: Stop Drinking Expert
Do you feel shackled by the chains of alcohol? Have you tried countless methods to quit but are back where you started? It’s time to get acquainted with the Stop Drinking Expert, where we don't just talk about breaking free from alcohol; we make it happen.
At Stop Drinking Expert, we offer a unique blend of wisdom, guidance, and practical tools that elevate you from wanting to quit alcohol to actually doing it. We dive deep into the psychology, the habits, and the pitfalls to liberate you from the entangled web of alcohol dependency.
The Mission Behind the Movement
We started with a vision of creating a community where you feel supported, understood, and, most importantly, empowered to change. We recognize that the journey to sobriety is not solitary; it's a collective mission.
And in this mission, you're not alone. We offer a free quit drinking webinar available every day, to give you a strong footing on your journey to sobriety. Think of it as the ignition key to start your engine towards a healthier life.
Why Trust Stop Drinking Expert?
Now, you might be asking, "Why should I trust Stop Drinking Expert?" Well, the expert behind this life-altering movement is none other than Craig Beck. A best-selling author of "Alcohol Lied To Me," Craig has poured his years of experience, knowledge, and passion into guiding people toward a sober life.
And when we say people, we mean over 250,000 individuals from various walks of life who have successfully rewritten their narratives, thanks to Craig's guidance. So when it comes to qualifications, rest assured, you’re in exceptionally capable hands.
Our Blog: A Treasure Trove of Information
We also host a plethora of insightful articles in our blog, covering everything from signs of alcohol withdrawal to how to approach sober dating. It's not just a blog; it's a roadmap that takes you through the valleys and peaks of quitting alcohol.
Our blog posts are designed to serve as your ally, offering vital knowledge, and as a constant reminder that you can conquer this mountain. So each time you find yourself on shaky grounds, remember, our blog is your go-to guide.
Let’s Walk the Path Together
Your journey doesn't have to be lonely; we are here to walk this path with you. The first step is the most critical; you've already taken it by being here. Now, let us guide you through the rest.
With Stop Drinking Expert, your dream of living a life free from the shackles of alcohol isn't a mere fantasy; it's a reachable reality. It's time to take control, take a stand, and reclaim your life.
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