Chapter 1: The Turning Point

In May 2013, I entered retirement, and by 2015, I began to notice a troubling increase in my alcohol consumption. It wasn't merely a casual observation; I recognized that my drinking habits were becoming concerning. Despite this awareness, I found myself continuing to drink in the evenings.

My husband and I often visited our favorite restaurant for lunch, where I would pair my meal with Chardonnay. This indulgence would set the stage for an earlier cocktail hour at home.

In May 2016, I made my first attempt to quit drinking, which lasted for two months. I was largely excited about this break from alcohol; however, part of me resisted the idea of sobriety. I longed for a fulfilling life, and I knew sobriety offered a more enriching experience than excessive drinking.

Yet, I was also apprehensive. Could I truly sustain this change? What if I stumbled? I feared the judgment of others, not wanting to come across as a failure.

A transformational moment came when I read "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, which examines the concepts of resistance and fear in creative pursuits. While grappling with my own artistic block, I found his insights incredibly resonant.

One powerful passage stated:

“Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we must do.”

This notion illuminated my own struggles. The more fear I felt about quitting drinking, the more it indicated the significance of that endeavor for my personal growth.

I had mistakenly believed my fear stemmed solely from the fear of failure, not recognizing that my soul’s growth was at stake.

What about you? Are you grappling with fears about quitting drinking? Understanding those fears can be enlightening. Ultimately, what matters is that our fears guide us toward necessary changes. At the time, I was unaware of this crucial insight.

Despite my resolve, I returned to drinking shortly after my first attempt. However, I now had a taste of what sobriety felt like, and I liked it.

Have you also tried quitting multiple times? What insights did you gain? Did you find yourself missing alcohol, or did you resist the urge? How long could you maintain your distance from it before succumbing again?

The journey toward sobriety is often more complex than we expect, yet it can be distilled into a simple principle: just don’t consume alcohol. While that may seem overly simplistic, it's a foundational step toward achieving sobriety.

I remember the pride I felt after my initial attempts to quit, even if they didn’t last. Each effort was a testament to my courage; I was actively participating in my journey rather than merely dreaming of sobriety.

Celebrate every effort you’ve made to quit drinking, no matter how short-lived. Each hour you spend alcohol-free is an achievement worth recognizing.

Fear of judgment from friends and family can also be daunting. What if they see you as addicted if you can't enjoy a glass of wine?

Chapter 2: Conquering Fear and Resistance

In September 2018, I decided to quit for good. Frustration fueled my resolve, and I finally overcame both fear and resistance, embracing sobriety.

The process was not without its challenges, but once I committed to my goal, I felt an unexpected support system emerge. Call it divine intervention, universal energy, or simply serendipity — something seemed to assist me in my final attempt to quit.

Pressfield's words resonate with this experience:

“When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.”

Isn’t the journey of quitting drinking a creative endeavor? It involves revising our strategies, recognizing what works, and understanding what doesn’t.

Each individual must discover their own method or support system to quit drinking. Personally, I found inspiration through various books, which I elaborated on in my article titled "10 Outstanding Books to Help You Stay Fully Engaged in Your Sobriety," published on Alcohol Is Not Your Friend on February 8, 2022.

For some, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides the necessary support, while others may require inpatient or outpatient treatment programs.

Do not let fear and resistance hinder your path to sobriety, inner peace, and a remarkable life.

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