Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

It all kicked off with Dry January.

At the start of the year, I decided to participate in Dry January alongside a group of friends. One of my primary motivations was the realization that my drinking habits had spiraled out of control during November and December—I felt my liver deserved a break. I truly cherish everything about the festive season, from Halloween costumes to cozy hot cocoa and the aroma of peppermint candles. Being born on Thanksgiving, I often find myself celebrating an additional holiday when my birthday doesn't coincide with the big feast.

The year 2023 had been particularly challenging. The holiday season provided a welcome diversion, with its cheerful lights illuminating the neighborhood and festive music wafting from every shop, often accompanied by drinks that encouraged us to hum along. As I noted in "Building a Foundation for ADHD Management," I maintain a wall calendar to monitor my habits, both positive and negative.

Each day I abstain from alcohol earns me a purple smiley face sticker, while I tally my alcoholic drinks on the days I do indulge (with heavier pours counting as two). Let’s just say my calendar saw more Sharpie marks than smiles in the final months of 2023.

When January rolled in, I was eager for a fresh start. Although the transition was tough, I began to notice numerous positive changes after just a few weeks, which appeared to amplify over time. Struggles that had plagued me for months started to resolve, and I could feel progress.

By January 31, I reflected on my experience. Choosing to avoid alcohol resulted in a significant and unmistakable shift in my life. Drinking is deeply ingrained in our culture and has been a part of many social interactions throughout my life. For years, it served as a means to connect with old friends, forge new friendships, soothe emotional pain, alleviate anxiety, and explore diverse flavors.

Abandoning alcohol allowed me to:

• Enhance my energy and motivation
• Improve my sleep quality
• Sharpen my focus and short-term memory
• Help stabilize my mood and reduce swings
• Save money for travel and personal projects
• Carve out valuable time for writing
• Cultivate self-discipline
• Boost my self-confidence
• Achieve clearer skin
• Shed weight gained from drinking

We all experience tough times. Last June, I faced a layoff from my job, which I had held since college graduation. While 15% of the company was let go and I didn't take it personally, it still felt disheartening. The uncertainty of the future loomed large, and I found myself spiraling into a cycle of indecision and overthinking that led to poor choices. Thankfully, I avoided making irreversible mistakes.

Although I can't attribute any missteps to alcohol, I can confidently say that since I ceased drinking, it has been easier to navigate that tough period and emerge as a better version of myself. Sobriety has made it simpler to engage in healthy habits, like flossing nightly and journaling my gratitude, alongside many other small actions that uplift me as I reflect on my day before drifting off to sleep.

While some individuals excel at moderation, I am not one of them. For me, it’s much easier to abstain entirely and reserve drinking for special occasions like my birthday or holidays—just not the entire festive season.

Ultimately, we should strive to improve ourselves a little more each day, taking care not to create additional challenges along the way. What small change could you implement today to ease your life?

I challenge you to consider the impact alcohol has on your life, both in the short and long term. How do you feel the days following a night out compare to the days after a week or more of sobriety? If drinking hampers your ability to be your most authentic and vibrant self, it may be worth contemplating a reduction or complete elimination from your life.

In the first video, "10 POWERFUL Stories of Addiction (& Recovery) | Rich Roll Podcast," viewers hear inspiring tales of individuals overcoming addiction and discovering a path to recovery, highlighting the transformative power of sobriety.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Effects of Addiction

The second video, "Dr. Anna Lembke: Understanding & Treating Addiction," offers insights into the complexities of addiction and effective treatment approaches, providing valuable information for anyone looking to comprehend the challenges of sobriety.