…and how to break it
If you’ve read other posts in this series (I am updating them one at a time) you’ll know that I posted this question on a bunch of sober forums: “What stops you from quitting alcohol even though you want to? Or what stopped you in the past?” As always, the wonderful sober community rushed to…
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Why can’t you quit alcohol, even though you want to? I always assumed it’s because alcohol is so incredibly addictive and in many ways that’s absolutely right. Alcohol is indeed one of the most addictive substances available. But it’s not that simple. ‘Because I’m Addicted’ Is Waaaaay Too Simplistic Addiction is a mega huge word…
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I Created a ‘Busy Mum Story’ Which Always Ended With Alcohol I used to lock myself in a cupboard, in a glass bottle and only let myself out at 6pm when I would pour myself into a wine glass and take a long, comforting sip. That’s how it felt. It felt like when I was…
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Rock bottom is different for everyone. Some people end up in a police cell, begging their partner to come get them with a promise that this is the last time. Others lose their job, their home, their children and only then do they quit drinking. My rock bottom? It was more of a ‘soft rock…
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So, lets say that this is day one. You’re quitting alcohol and you’re on top of your game! But what about tomorrow? Will quitting alcohol feel as good tomorrow? Or what about when you’re in a really shitty mood? How will you cope then? Or when it’s your birthday or you get good news…. or…
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If you’re taking time off alcohol – a month, a week, (even a day), then you need tools to beat the alcohol cravings. Here’s 15 super easy ways to beat alcohol cravings. I have also linked to other resources and articles on this site to give you more inspiration. 1. Know that it will pass!…
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Current levels of crazy are through the roof! Corona Virus has the globe on lock down and people are panicking. Remember Brexit? Ah, good times! Anyone who is disposed to boozing might be forgiven for thinking that this is a time for hedonism and f*&k it thinking. Thing is, if you thought that then…
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So you want to look at your relationship with alcohol? You noticed it’s playing a larger part in your life than you’d like and rather than feeling positive and fun, your drinking has started to grind you down. Well you are in great company! You are riding a super woke, alcohol-free wave and you are officially…
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At this time of year most people’s thoughts turn to their weight, their drinking and their New Years resolutions, which invariably involve drinking and eating less. Not surprisingly many more people start Dry January than complete it. That’s because changing any habit is hard. Really hard! And if you don’t consider yourself to be the…
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Before I gave up drinking alcohol I could never understand why anyone would go through a whole month without drinking. If you also struggle with this then here are 5 excellent reasons you should definitely Go Sober For October. Reset your relationship with alcohol They say it takes 21 days to form a habit and…
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If you are a regular Voice of Calm reader then you will know all about my decision to give up alcohol. But today I want to get into the how instead of the why. No, it’s not easy but it’s totally doable and the best thing I’ve ever done. Here’s how I gave up alcohol,…
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I celebrated my 1 year ‘soberversary’ this weekend and it felt amazing! It has been scary, awesome, impossible, enlightening, limitless, emboldening, celebratory and nuts! So, here are 12 things I have learnt in 12 months without alcohol. I could have done 50 things but I don’t wanna rinse it! 🙂 1. My relationships have been…
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Gayle Macdonald gave up alcohol 2 years ago because it had gradually become the most important thing in her life. As a Brit living in Spain she is very much swimming against a tide of overindulgence but quitting alcohol made her a better mum and improved her life on so many levels. We are so…
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Right up until the moment I quit I thought I would always be a drinker. I would never give up alcohol. Life was too short to not drink, surely. I saw anyone who abstained as a bit weird, twisted even and certainly not my people. Drinking was my identity: it wasn’t so much something I…
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It’s the 10th day of Dry January and if you are still at it then fan-bloody-tastic! I salute you!! So, here is Dry January Tips Part 3 to get you through the tricky middle bit. We have – juicing for detox; drinking plenty of water and reading a shed load. I have the what, why…
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Good god, can it already be the end of 2019 week one!? Christmas seems like years ago…Oh stop! Following on from Voice of Calm’s first post of the year 6 Tips To Smash Dry January, here is the next instalment – Tips For Smashing Dry January (part 2). If you are giving up for the month or maybe aiming for a little longer then don’t panic. I have more…
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If you are embarking on Dry January then you are among 3 million Brits who are doing the same and it’s an increasingly international activity. It may be your first time ever quitting alcohol or your first time in a long time and you might struggle along the way. Don’t worry, I have 6 great…
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I get asked why I don’t just moderate my drinking instead of giving up, a lot! Well, here you go… One of my least fond childhood memories is my drunk dad throwing up out of the passenger window of our family car and it splashing on my window behind him. I can’t really fluff that…
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Jude Rawlins is a songwriter, guitarist, producer and filmmaker who hasn’t had a drink in 25 years. He explains why his sobriety is freedom on every level. When and why did you stop drinking alcohol? I stopped using drugs and alcohol in December 1993 because they didn’t work for me any more. But I’d have…
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Gemma Sandford, a Senior Landscape Architect in New Zealand, stopped drinking 4 years ago. She explains why she decided to quit and how she’s finding life without alcohol. Why did you stop? I realised I needed to stop drinking about 4 years ago. I loved drinking, especially wine, it was my way of relaxing, way…
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