My Year Without Drinking

I recently celebrated one year without drinking alcohol. Yup. An entire year.

My last drink was a glass of wine on New Year’s Eve 2022. I had decided in advance of that glass that I would do a “Dry January” at the start of 2023, so that glass of wine would be my last for a month. If I recall, it was a pretty good wine.

Turns out, I got to the entire of January and I kept going. It’s now been an entire year.

I’m pretty sure there’s no alcohol in those glasses. If there was, I wouldn’t drink it.

I was helped greatly by a book I listened to an Audible: Allan Carr’s Quit Drinking.

I didn’t have serious withdrawal issues. The first few weeks were a little challenging. I was used to having a drink at 5pm-ish. To arrive at that hour in the day, and not have a drink -- well, it wasn’t easy at first. I relied greatly on LaCroix water of various flavors.

I’ve also been helped by the ready availability of non-alcoholic beers. In the past, all you might have had was something like O’Doul’s. And that was never a satisfying option for me. Now you have lots more variety in the N.A. beer category. I like Athletic Brewing’s offerings. Heineken 0.0 and Stella Artois 0.0 also offer a beer like taste, and are usually available in most bars and restaurants.

So as I begin 2024, I am continuing on with my alcohol-free life. It works for me. I’m happy with the choice. Onward!