28/02/2025
Wow, 2,345 days for me completely free from intentionally added ethanol in leisure drinks, and an opportunity to share something hopefully insightful, engaging, and helpful. If it resonates, wonderful! If not, well, I tried lol.
Honestly, I often start these posts without a clue what I'm going to write or where it will lead me! 😂 Let's begin with that.
Where does one even begin when cutting out something that no longer serves you? My advice is to make an informed start. Less talk and thought, more action.
I emphasize "informed" because reaching a goal is much easier when you're prepared for potential challenges. This way, you'll be better equipped to handle obstacles along the way.
Gaining impartial knowledge is crucial. Analyse things objectively, without letting emotions cloud your judgment. See the thing you're trying to overcome for what it truly is. Understand ITS behaviour - not just your behaviour, its mechanisms, dissect everything as if studying for a qualification. YOUR qualification in freedom from something that has kept you trapped for too long.
Another essential preparation is self-analysis and awareness. Be honest with yourself, but be KIND TO YOURSELF - YOU DESERVE BETTER FOR YOURSELF, but again, remain objective, gain analytical perspective, avoid being subjective and critical of yourself - just objectively critical like a scientist looking under a microscope at the thing you want to break free from. Save any personal emotion, about you, for later.
Once you've put the behaviour of addiction and the chemical under the microscope, begin that self-exploration about you with kindness. Why do you do what you do? What started it? When did it begin? Why do you carry on? What's missing? Are you gaining anything at all by continuing on this merry-go-round of insanity? Observe others on the same path, noting similarities. Learn, learn, learn.
Once you grasp the basics, it's time for action. But not before! I can't stress this enough.
How do we start this preparation and maintain it?
Want it! Enjoy the learning process. Remember your "why's." Do you truly desire this? If not, cultivate that desire and motivation. Focus on what you'll achieve, and remember you're doing this for YOU. No one can motivate you more than yourself. Build that enthusiasm to learn everything about addiction and what you want to break free from. Indeed - friends can help - but ultimately it's you that is doing this.
So, you have the drive, enthusiasm, motivation, and knowledge. How do we put it all together? Just start. Put down the drink, the cigarette, skip the sugar in your coffee, turn off your smartphone. Reading about it is one thing; experiencing it is another. Desensitise that fear that stops most people from stopping something addictive. Face that fear and do it anyway. Reassure yourself that you have a basic understanding of potential challenges, like increased anxiety or skin breakouts as your body detoxifies. Knowing these could happen prepares you. When cravings arise, use techniques you've learned during your preparation, such as box breathing, self-hypnosis, running, or stress balls. Make sure you have your alcofree toolbox handy.
The key difference between preparation and action is adding emotion. Use it as a tool. See what you're trying to break free from as a bully you're standing up to. It's the enemy. Criticise the thing you want to escape, not yourself. See alcohol as the con it is, fool's gold. Get angry with it, with the organisations that fed you false beliefs, the governments you trusted, the ads that promised joy and happiness.
Be kind to yourself. If you stumble, it's okay. Don't get upset or feel defeated. Pick yourself up, find the positive in the negative. Remember the acronym FAIL (First Attempt In Learning). Learn from your mistakes - don't beat yourself - self-reflect, and move on. Start again and again until it clicks.
Beating addiction is all about mindset, reframing everything. You can't unlearn, but you can learn to make a difference. Neuroplasticity and rewiring your brain are possible—I'm living proof. Focus on what you're gaining, not losing. Allow that to drive you. You're not losing a friend; you're removing something that controlled and ruined your life. It's not your friend any more, it's your enemy. You are not your enemy, the irrational behaviour of how addiction works is separate from you - it's taken you over - that chemical is controlling your thoughts and emotions - be in control of it, not it controlling you.
Addiction relies on emotions, not rational thinking. Separate the problem from yourself. You are not your addiction; you are merely addicted. That's a big difference. Don't identify yourself as "an addict." Scientists have spent decades confirming it's not innate; addiction is learned, usually unintentionally.
I could go on; this subject still fascinates me nearly 8 years on since I stopped smoking, nearly 8 years on this alcofree road, nearly 7 years on successfully and consistently free from alcohol. Ironically, I talk more about alcohol and addiction now than before I stopped. I get such a buzz helping others.
Keep focused, keep driving forward—you can do this!
Here's to my next six years and four months of freedom! ❤️
