Since I’ve let everyone know about my drink problem one of the most asked questions is “did it really get that bad?”
Unfortunately, it did. I forged a lifestyle that fit around being able to drink when I wanted to, which clearly isn’t a good thing. I’ve always been a sociable person but over the last few years my social circle had become one of folk I hardly knew but always saw them at the bar. My Facebook posts full of people I don’t know and I once overheard a ‘friend’ commenting on this. She did me a favour actually as it was another little kick up the arse that I needed.
“she’s always posting selfies but she doesn’t know any of them”
Now I know this was a bitchy thing to say and I do believe there was some jealousy there but regardless of all that, she was right – I was regularly socialising with people I didn’t know, on my own! I laughed it off with “they certainly knew me by the end of the night” which was also true *cringe*.
There are lots of reasons why I decided to quit alcohol. In fact there’s probably too many to list. Straight off the top of my head these are just some of the things I was thinking …
- I’ve had a drink problem since I was about 18
- I don’t want to be a failure
- I want to lose weight
- I want to get healthy
- I’m sick of being skint
- I want to travel
- I want to get my own home again
- I want savings
- I want to make my family proud of me
- I don’t want friends to ignore the phone anymore because they know I’m drunk
- I don’t want to be the one posting crap on Facebook at 2am, clearly wasted
- I want to succeed in a job
- I hate depending on alcohol
- I want to reduce my anxiety
- I’m sick of feeling depressed
- I want to feel happy
- I want a decent night’s sleep
- I want to wake up feeling fresh
- I want to look my best
- I want to find joy in all the little things in life again
- I want to make a relationship work
- I want my body to repair
- I don’t want to hide my problem anymore
- I don’t want another trip to the hospital because of drink
- I never want to wake up with a hangover again
- I want to stop smoking
- I want to stop wasting money
- I want to stop feeling guilty
- I want to stop hating myself
- I want to live a long life
Surely that’s enough to do something about it? I was scared. Really really scared because I thought life would be boring without alcohol. It definitely isn’t but that’s for another post …
I seriously felt like I was reading my own words – only they had an accent 🙂 This life is so much better- even though the old one “looked” more fun.
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I’ve just read this and this could actually be me! Word for word it is EXACTLY the same journey I’ve been on and am currently trying to work through. I shall be following your blog to help me along the way. Congratulations for how far you’ve come. It’s been and is continuing to be my toughest journey yet so you have my complete empathy xx
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Hi Gemma,
Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I know what you mean as I’ve read things in the past the same way. I’m absolutely convinced there’s lots of people out there the same. Well done for seeking help! One of the toughest parts for me was actually admitting I had a problem. Good luck 🤞 xx
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Loving your posts Claire – alcohol almost killed me. Trying to get myself back on track but it’s been tough. I had everything – successful career, home, girlfriend, a family. I’ve ended up with nothing. Then the depression took over. It’s a terrible slippery slope. But your posts are helping. And I want to beat this. Keep going Claire. The dark days can be very dark but they get brighter the longer you persist. You’re inspiring me 👌
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Thanks, Andy. I know how you feel and it will get better. Stay strong 💪 xx
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Thanks Claire 👍
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