Transforming My Life: 8 Reasons I Chose to Stop Drinking
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I have been alcohol-free for six months now!
It’s been over six months since I last consumed alcohol.
Four years ago, during a doctor’s visit, I fibbed about my alcohol intake, claiming it was between 80–100 ounces weekly. In reality, I was consuming around 120–160 ounces.
When I share this with others, they often wonder how I managed to function and remain alive. The truth is, I was functioning, but not at my best.
Working as a partner in a nightclub and promoting for others, my lifestyle revolved around partying, which made it difficult to avoid drinking frequently.
Imagine this scenario: You're at a bar, and someone offers you a shot.
Naturally, you agree. But what if you earned $1 for each shot you took? You would likely take more than usual.
That was my mindset for years.
Owning a nightclub meant that every drink someone bought me translated to profit. As a promoter, I often received a cut from liquor sales, meaning each drink purchased for me was financially beneficial.
I sometimes bought my own drinks, yet those were effectively free due to the generous bar tabs I received whenever I was at the club.
Moreover, as a promoter and owner, my goal was to connect with others and enhance their experience, which resulted in consuming a lot of drinks to facilitate social interactions.
When I wanted to expand my network, I often went out on my “off-nights,” further justifying excessive drinking.
Needless to say, rationalizing frequent alcohol consumption became all too easy.
When lockdowns began, boredom struck, and I had plenty of alcohol at home, leading to continued drinking even after losing my nightclub.
Was I an alcoholic? No. I had managed to stay sober for a month or two several times before.
Did I have a drinking problem? Yes. It was spiraling out of control and impacting various aspects of my life.
As of March 25th, I am officially six months sober, having abstained from alcohol since September 24th, during The Wine Festival.
This article outlines the eight reasons why I decided to stop drinking.
My Cognitive Health
Over the last 18 months, I've dedicated myself to enhancing my skills as an entrepreneur through podcasts, courses, expert discussions, and reading.
It started to feel counterproductive to indulge in excessive drinking while striving to optimize my cognitive abilities.
I began noticing concerning issues like declining memory, focus, and clarity of speech, raising alarms about my brain's long-term health.
Hearing experts like Andrew Huberman discuss alcohol’s impact on brain health was alarming.
I enjoy setting goals, and upon reviewing them, it became clear that quitting drinking would significantly increase my chances of achieving what I want.
Optimizing my cognitive health was a major factor in my decision to go sober.
For further insights on how alcohol affects brain health, you can read this article.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
Have you ever listened to Matthew Walker discuss sleep? He literally authored a book on the subject.
If you have, then you'll understand why quitting drinking felt like a straightforward way to improve my sleep quality.
You might not think alcohol affects your sleep—perhaps you even believe it helps—but the truth is, even if you’re asleep, the quality is severely compromised.
Sleep is essential for recovery, and I noticed that both my brain and body struggled to recuperate effectively.
Why exert effort in workouts and personal development if I’m going to sabotage my recovery with excessive drinking?
For more on sleep health, refer to this article by Sleep Foundation.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Do you experience anxiety or depression?
Perhaps you find yourself making poor decisions while drinking or in the aftermath.
I noticed that the day after drinking, and sometimes for a couple of days, I experienced negative effects beyond just a hangover. I felt anxious, overly emotional, and made regrettable choices.
This led to the same question: Why invest time in self-improvement only to undermine it with excessive drinking?
Life is a series of decisions. To change your path, you must enhance your decision-making abilities. Reducing alcohol consumption is one of the most effective ways to achieve this, and it could be among the best choices you make.
If you’re struggling with mental and emotional health, I believe that cutting out alcohol is a crucial first step.
To learn more about alcohol’s impact on mental health, click here.
Physical Health
The worst hangover is the one that leaves you feeling nauseous, making it difficult to hit the gym and stay active.
I found it increasingly challenging to function physically when hungover; wasting an entire day became too unproductive.
Excessive drinking takes a significant toll on your body. Beyond hangovers, alcohol is packed with empty calories that slow you down.
It drains energy, dehydrates you, and can impair your immune system.
During one of my drinking binges in 2017, I developed psoriasis and alopecia barbae—both autoimmune conditions.
After a few months of managing those conditions, I chose to go sober for a couple of months, leading them into remission. That was my initial indication that I needed to control my drinking more effectively.
Improving my physical health was another motivator for quitting alcohol.
Financial Savings
I won’t disclose the exact amount I spent on alcohol, but suffice to say, I could have purchased a couple of houses with that money.
To put it bluntly, my alcohol spending could have easily covered my rent.
In addition to the direct cost of liquor, my intoxicated decisions have cost me far more.
I enjoy gambling, and even when I lose, I find it entertaining.
Whether it’s blackjack, roulette, or risky trades in crypto and forex, my fondness for high-stakes moves is amplified when I’m drinking.
Through poor gambling choices while intoxicated, I have lost multiple six-figure sums, if not seven.
The worst instance was adjusting a successful trade while drunk, leading to a loss of what would have been a substantial profit.
Given this, it's no surprise that quitting drinking has been a wise financial choice.
Establishing a Routine
Alcohol disrupts sleep and causes late nights, resulting in the inevitable loss of a regular routine.
Maintaining a structured daily routine has enabled me to accomplish much more.
Currently, I’m obsessed with maximizing productivity, which is why quitting drinking was essential for sustaining a regular schedule.
Meaningful Interactions
Ironically, I used to drink to feel more comfortable conversing with others, as it removed my inhibitions.
However, as time went on—and especially after reducing my alcohol intake—I noticed my conversations became significantly more meaningful. I retained confidence, but it was no longer just a blur of things I wouldn’t remember the next day.
I suspect many can relate.
Realizing this made me want to quit drinking, as I now understood it would enhance my social experiences rather than detract from them.
My Relationship
The day I made the decision to stop drinking was the day after a memorable experience at The Wine Festival. While nothing disastrous occurred, I realized I was entirely certain I wanted to pursue a relationship with my girlfriend.
Coincidentally, my six-month anniversary with her also marks six months of sobriety for me.
It’s worth mentioning that in the six weeks leading up to that day, I had only consumed alcohol once.
She never pressured me to quit; in fact, she might prefer if I still drank occasionally (big maybe). Nonetheless, I wanted to see how our relationship would unfold while I was sober.
In the past, I often made poor relationship choices while hungover or drunk.
While I’ve never cheated, I tended to become emotionally distant or indifferent the day after drinking, which negatively impacted my relationships.
I adore my girlfriend, a realization I had from the outset of our relationship. Going sober seemed like the best way to ensure our relationship started on a healthy note.
Now, six months in, I can confidently say it was the best decision I made, as our relationship is flourishing.
As you can see, the advantages of abstaining from alcohol are substantial.
I am healthier, happier, and a much better decision-maker than I ever was.
Honestly, I didn’t plan to stay sober for more than a couple of months, but as time goes on, my desire to drink decreases.
One day, I will drink again (though I’m uncertain when), but it won’t be to get intoxicated. When I do, it will be a casual glass of wine with dinner or a nice cocktail at a bar.
I hope my story inspires you to consider sobriety if you've been contemplating it or perhaps encourages you to manage your drinking more responsibly.
If I can do it, so can you!
Thank you for reading.
Please share your experiences and challenges with trying to stay sober!
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Be Love