I Won’t Be Drunk Anymore

Not because I am good at drinking, but because alcohol will not have a chance on me anymore.

By Papa Leow   •   3 minute read

It has been nine months since I cut out alcohol from my life. In my experience, alcohol never added value to my days, and time without it did not feel dull at all.

WHY THE DECISION?

There are many reasons why one would quit alcohol. These are mine:

• Fleeting moments of high that didn’t do any actual good for me.

• Harms my body.

• Intoxication clouds the mind, making me think/talk/do meaningless things most of the time.

• Clearer mind = Being able to stay wiser and become more productive at what I need to do.

Never again.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG?

I actually wanted to quit alcohol years ago. I knew it was bad, but I enjoyed the occasional intoxication of the body/mind, and that taste that drinkers yearn.

But I realised I DID NOT truly understand the cons of alcohol after all — not beyond the superficial meaning of the words, that is. Because if I did, why was I unable to break away from it?

For me, it took so long because I CHOSE TO PROCRASTINATE. I convinced myself that tomorrow would be a better day to quit. I worried how others would judge me as an ‘odd ball’. I DID NOT WANT TO truly face the negative impacts of alcohol. I was lying to myself.

The impact of alcohol is similar to that of smoking (no offence to smokers, though!). We know they don’t do us any good. But do we truly understand the consequences that come with these habits? If we are, then why do we continue to indulge in them? Some might say smoking is different from drinking. Yet, as I logically reasoned the effects between the two, I found so many similarities (in the cons) — both harm us in the long run.

What was really interesting was that there was a disconnect between my knowledge, and that of my actual actions. The more I observed of things, the more I realised that there were a lot of disconnection between my values and my actions.

Think positive!

SO HOW DID I GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY?

1. Active reflection of positive thoughts.

   I reminded myself about the negative impact of alcohol whenever I thought about drinking. I related it to smoking (since I did not smoke to begin with), and it helped me to draw the connection better.

2. Start small, start slow, and don’t ever tell yourself, “I can never do it.”

   Initially, I would not even be aware of my desire to drink. Slowly, I became conscious of my own thoughts. I would buy alcohol, then regret at the ‘useless-ness’ of that act. But I drank it any way. Then, I regretted my action.

   Next came the phase where, prior to placing an alcoholic order, I paused and told myself I should try giving up. Some days I succeeded, many other days I did not and ordered my drink anyway. Then, I regretted my action. This went on for a while, until one day I successfully convinced myself of my abstinence.

3. Rejoice at every little success I had. 

Whenever I succeeded in overcoming those temptations, I rejoiced. I was elated I could do it, and also the benefits I enjoyed out of the abstinence.

Even when I failed to abstain, I rejoiced at my own regrets that came after that — at least I knew and saw how wrong and incapable I was in the face of my own temptations.

4. Lastly, hang out with those who possessed and acted with the positive traits I envisioned to have.

I looked up to and gained positivity from such people. Initially, I stayed away (or spent lesser time at) from events where there was heavy drinking. It felt awkward at first because everyone made merry while I was the odd ball. Over time, the environment I created for myself kept my mind clearer for sure.

HERE I AM TODAY

Today, I readily and happily am able to decline a drink, because I am equipped with the right knowledge and decision, along with the slightly better ability to ‘control’ my mind against my poor habits.

It took me quite some time and effort prior to quitting, but the time and effort are exactly what we need to invest in, in our daily lives to better ourselves.

Things did not happen overnight. While the progress was slow, I eventually made it and I could not be happier.

Rejoice!