Decades back, the World Health Organization stamped asbestos, radiation, tobacco, and alcohol with the same red flag: Group 1 carcinogens!
I wish this was enough reason for you or me to stop drinking, for me it cost me many years of wondering what the hell I was doing with my life.
So I will give you a question, why do you drink? Have you REALLY thought about it? Is it the taste? The hangover? The "relaxed euphoric feeling? Because it's "what you do"? Whatever the reason you have. I will tell you why I quit and why you should too.
First it costed me my first marriage (well, one of the reasons), second, it affected me physically, mentally and energetically. Since I stopped, I lost 25kg. Proof below
The haters will say, well you drank a lot! Yes, yes I did...but based on the article from the World Health Organization, the number 1 reasons for dead in Europe is Cancer. Ethanol (alcohol) causes cancer through biological mechanisms as the compound breaks down in the body. So no amount of alcohol "is safe".
From the Article: “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink – the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it is – or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is,” explains Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, acting Unit Lead for Noncommunicable Disease Management and Regional Advisor for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
One of the best books that helped me on my way to sobriety was introduced by my cousin. It's called "Our Naked Mind" in a quick overview it means this...
Reclaim Your Clarity: By quitting alcohol, you free your mind from the fog of intoxication, allowing you to experience life with greater clarity and presence. You know that feeling you have when you wake up after too many margaritas? I remember when I thought it was a normal Saturday morning routine.
Break the Cycle: Alcohol often perpetuates a cycle of dependence and negative behaviors. Quitting allows you to break free from this cycle and regain control over your life. It took me more than four times to try to stop. Maybe one day I screw up again and fail, but for now. I feel awesome and you should too! 2 years sober chip and all.
Improved Health: Alcohol consumption is linked to various health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and mental health disorders. Quitting alcohol can lead to significant improvements in your physical and mental well-being. This one, as mentioned above was a game changer for me. I always was a gym rat. But I used the gym to sweat out the alcohol, take the alcohol a way and boy did I get more energy and lost weight from those extra liquid calories.
Enhanced Relationships: Alcohol can strain relationships due to its impact on behavior and communication. By quitting, you can strengthen your connections with loved ones and foster healthier interactions. Alcohol is a depressant, maybe this is why it call it "spirit" because it takes your Spirit away. Regain it!
Financial Freedom: Alcohol consumption can be expensive, both in terms of the direct cost of alcohol and the indirect costs associated with its impact on health and productivity. Quitting can lead to significant savings! I did the math and I am ashamed to say how much I spent in one of the worst years of me heavily "going out" and drinking or spending hundreds in bottles of wine "for dinner"...you know what I mean, if this resonates with you. Do the math!
Authenticity: Alcohol often masks emotions and inhibits authentic self-expression. By quitting, you can embrace your true self and engage more authentically with the world around you. I guess this one is a double edged sword, I drank to not feel the pain I had, instead of actually feeling my pain and working on that pain, this took me years and some Ayahuasca sessions to get it right. Doesn't matter the trip you take, what matters is that you feel YOU.
Empowerment: Choosing to quit alcohol empowers you to take control of your life and make decisions that align with your values and goals. It is a powerful act of self-care and self-respect. I never respected my body, heck, I abused it! Sometimes I wonder how I am still alive, yet, at 42 I am in the best shape of my life, physically and mentally. Which brings me to the best point
Mental Clarity: Alcohol can cloud judgment and exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Quitting can lead to improved mental clarity, emotional stability, and overall well-being. If you go to those yoga retreats to detox, you are doing it wrong, try instead to go sober for a year and then go to that yoga retreat with all that money you saved. I promise it will make a difference.
Increased Productivity: Alcohol consumption can impair cognitive function and reduce productivity. By quitting, you can unlock your full potential. You know that great idea you had while drunk with your buddies, but then died with the water and greasy food you ate to cure your hangover? Well, your productivity and energy will go to places you forgot existed.
Discovering Joy: Without the numbing effects of alcohol, you can rediscover the joy and beauty of life's simple pleasures. Extasy is fun and all, but have you tried to get high on your own supply? Wim Hof taught me this. I am happy to share my breathing exercises and workshops anytime to anyone who wants to listen and practice.
Remember, the decision to quit alcohol is a powerful step towards reclaiming your life and embracing a brighter, healthier you NOW. Whether you're motivated by improved health, stronger relationships, financial freedom, or simply the desire to live authentically, know that you are not alone on this journey, I am happy to help or you can also reach out for support from friends, family, or professional resources if needed. Each day without alcohol is a victory, bringing you closer to a life filled with clarity, authenticity, and joy. No matter where you are, if you read this far....embrace the journey, celebrate your progress, and remember that a sober life is a life worth living to the fullest. You've got this! I believe in you!
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