I've never been a particularly big drinker, although I've enjoyed a wine most days as I cook, or a pint of beer when my husband and I go walking and stop for a pub lunch. Even so, I have found all my life that alcohol disturbs my sleep terribly. If I drink beyond 7pm I am certainly in for a very disturbed night with a raving brain, feeling agitated.
I have known several people whose experiences of alcohol harmed their health, their marriages and their careers. My first husband drank a lot and it changed his personality, which eventually split us up. So I have seen firsthand the negative effects of alcohol.
"It's definitely becoming more accepted to be alcohol-free."
I also have a few friends who don't drink alcohol and I’m glad to see no one pressures them. It's definitely becoming more accepted to be alcohol-free.
Personally, I chose to take on the Dry January® challenge as I am now 65, have recently been diagnosed with a condition related to my age, and want to take steps towards looking after myself better. I want to stay healthy for as long as possible. For many years I have felt vaguely unwell, nothing I could pinpoint such as a headache or nausea but just generally slightly out of sorts and often tired in the morning.
"I feel more alive and less lethargic."
This feeling has all disappeared since I've been alcohol-free and I've not felt this well in years. After just two weeks alcohol-free, I looked in the mirror and I noticed straight away that I looked younger and less tired. That was a good spur to continue. I have also felt more alive and less lethargic.
As of writing, it’s 55 days since my last alcoholic drink. I would like to stay alcohol-free for good but I'm aiming for three months to begin with. The euphoria I felt after two and three weeks alcohol free seems to have worn off a bit but I think maybe it’s just that I'm now accustomed to the feeling of being alcohol-free, rather than it appearing to be on the wane. I have experienced cravings but I find they soon pass. I am still sleeping better.
My Dry January® challenge has also made me want to eat healthier and I have become aware of chemicals in food, as I now always read the labels to make a healthier choice. I've cut down on red meat and started eating more fish and vegetarian food. I go to a yoga class three times a week and as I feel so much better it is something I'm determined to continue, along with staying alcohol-free.
"There should definitely be warnings on bottles and glasses like tobacco warnings."
The Dry January® challenge daily emails helped me and made me want to research more about the effects of alcohol on the brain and body. I had no idea that alcohol was so dangerous and was shocked that it was up there with radiation, tobacco and asbestos as a level 1 carcinogen. There should definitely be warnings on bottles and glasses like tobacco warnings.
"Non-alcoholic drinks should be in a prominent place in all pubs and other spaces so that people can make that choice."
Before, I would often be out with friends and even my husband and would ask for wine or gin when I didn't want to drink but could see no alternative. So I also feel that non-alcoholic drinks should be in a prominent place in all pubs and other spaces so that people can make that choice.
I have tried alcohol-free wine at home while I'm cooking - the time I used to drink the most - but don't personally see the point of it. For me personally, drinking alcohol-free wine feels like pretending to be something I'm not. If I’m not drinking alcohol, I'm happy with water and don’t mind sitting with a glass of it in front of me. I get a certain amount of satisfaction from demonstrating my willpower when people ask me about it or when I order a glass of tap water in a pub! But I can see why others would want non-alcoholic alternatives and support them in it.
Overall, I am a person who is happy in their own skin most of the time, but doing the Dry January® challenge has helped me even more. I'm now finding life alcohol-free quite easy. In fact, today my husband and I did a six mile walk and took in a fantastic old unspoiled pub that is renowned for its well-kept pedigree bitter. Yet I had half a pint of tap water and wasn’t even fighting an urge to drink - even though 6 months ago I would have downed a pint in no time at all.
"It feels good to be in control."
I want to take responsibility for my own health, which I feel is something we should all be doing. But I also think it’s important that people are informed about health risks, such as through adding warnings on labels. It feels good to be in control.
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons
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