I gave up alcohol 13 years ago, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And I wasn’t one of those people who “didn’t really drink” – I loved a drink.

The ceremony, the ritual, the anticipation, the “sod it” mentality, the connection with others, the you-only-live-once shenanigans. I come from a big Irish family where not drinking is viewed as slightly weird. “Go on, you’ll have one, won’t you? For medicinal purposes?”.

Why I Stopped Drinking

As much as I loved it, I hated it in equal measure. The relentless cycle of empty promises I made to myself: I won’t drink midweek. I’ll stop after this. Tomorrow I’ll be better. Then a row with my boyfriend, a tax bill, checking my bank balance – cue the glass of red.

I wasn’t an alcoholic. I just drank more than I should, and I exercised to counteract the anxiety that came with it. I wanted to stop, but the thought of a holiday without champagne at the airport, or a glass on the balcony, or a birthday toast? It paralysed me.

How can you have Christmas without alcohol? Surely you’d be alcohol-free and miserable?

What I Learned

Here’s what I discovered: I couldn’t have been more wrong. Ditching booze has given me – and my sister – so much happiness. Going to bed sober with a book and a cup of tea, and waking up with peace in my heart instead of sweaty palms and flashbacks, that’s joy I didn’t know was possible. Every day, I’m grateful I cracked it. I feel like I’ve discovered a secret most people don’t know exists. Being sober is bloody brilliant. You wake up with energy, you sleep well, your skin glows, and you’re no longer trapped doing something you don’t actually want to do. The health benefits are enormous. Research shows even one glass of wine is harmful, it’s a known carcinogen, and I honestly think that in 50 years we’ll view alcohol the same way we view smoking now.

How It Started

I never said I was giving up forever. I told myself I’d do 30 days and see how I felt. My sister and I were doing a comedy show in Edinburgh. We had two tiny kids at the time, and Sharon was still dealing with an autoimmune disease. We knew we couldn’t perform and drink as well. So we got through the whole Edinburgh Festival without a single drop.

And guess what? For the first time ever, after a booze-free festival, I came home feeling okay. Normally, after a month of boozy Edinburgh nights, I’d return low, dishevelled, and completely flat. But that year, I felt fine.

The longer we didn’t drink, the better I felt. My sleep improved. I could finally tell whether I was actually depressed or just exhausted and chemically scrambled from countless late nights.

Everything got better. The longer I stayed off it, the better I felt. I became a better mum, sister, friend. I felt more optimistic, more positive. I loved waking up early with my first cup of coffee, scrolling Instagram with peace in my heart. I felt good – why would I go back?

A Little Word of Warning

If you do knock it on the head for a while, don’t bang on about it like I am now – people will hate you! Share your joy with people who actually want to hear it. Pick your audience, because drinkers hate nothing more than a self-righteous non-drinker. Tell friends who will support you, rather than feel threatened by your non-drinking.

My Top Tips for a Booze-Free Christmas

1. Google famous teetotallers. For some reason, it helps. Catherine Tate, Lee Mack, Tom Holland; reading their stories made me feel less abnormal for wanting to stop.
2. Order drinks you actually like – in nice glasses. Sparkling water in a good glass hits differently. Mocktails help too. I drove to events so there was no temptation.
3. Face the research. Don’t avoid it. It’s compelling – whichever way you look at it, alcohol isn’t good for your health.
4. Learn to “surf the urge.” Nir Eyal talks about noticing the urge instead of fighting it. Tell yourself: If I still want this in ten minutes, I can have it. 99.9% of the time, the urge disappears.
5. Drive. There’s nothing better than getting into your own car after a party.
6. Reward yourself. Doing something hard deserves recognition. My go-to treat was a massage.
7. Fill your time. Do the things hangovers used to steal from you; reading, exercising, writing, early mornings with a clear head.

The Best Decision I Ever Made

Giving up alcohol was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. It’s not always popular, but it’s been the biggest needle-mover in every part of my health.

My only regret? That I didn’t do it sooner.

words by Lauretta Gavin, https://gavinsisters.co.uk/