Cristyn - 717 days

Going alcohol free long term was never the plan, but here I am, almost 2 years into what I consider the biggest act of self care I’ve ever committed to. My life has improved significantly since stopping drinking and whilst I will never say this is a forever thing, as long as my life is on this upward trajectory, I’m keeping alcohol out of the equation.

Alcohol played a significant role in my life since I began experimenting with it at the tender age of 13. It gave me the confidence I hugely lacked especially as a young teen. I moved to Ibiza at the age of 18 and spent long, hedonistic summers here until my mid 20s.

While I’ve never struggled with addiction, I realised I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol after a prolonged sober period. My drinking escalated during lockdown, especially after a miscarriage, with the stress of parenting and global uncertainty leading to unhealthy habits. Though I reduced my drinking during a subsequent pregnancy, alcohol gradually reentered my life after my son’s birth in June 2021. Although I drank moderately, the hangovers affected me, and I noticed I wasn’t at my best. Seeing friends take on a year-long alcohol challenge made me question if I could do it too.

On January 1st, 2022, I woke up with an intense hangover and a heavy sense of guilt, realising it was time for a change. I challenged myself to a month without drinking, and although the first couple of weeks were challenging, things quickly started to improve. My sleep got better, the brain fog lifted, and I had more energy. When the month was up, instead of celebrating with a drink, I decided to extend my challenge—and that decision marked the beginning of a profound transformation in my life.

Although I briefly slipped back into old habits, I soon recognised how much alcohol had been holding me back. Committing to sobriety, I rediscovered the person I’d been searching for all along—my true self. Sobriety gave me everything I thought alcohol was providing: confidence, joy, and stress relief. It also sparked a journey of self-exploration, where I learned to embrace challenges and outgrow the limitations I had set for myself. Since going alcohol-free, I’ve completed several coaching certifications, now work part-time at an addiction treatment centre, and feel privileged to help others on their path to recovery. Sobriety unlocked a new life for me, one full of purpose, clarity, and true confidence.”