Alice ~ 543 days

“I was never more than tipsy, never had a proper hangover, I used a glass or two of alcohol in social settings to make me a bit less anxious. Although I was able to moderate it was still harmful for me.

The final straw was my 22nd birthday, my family had come to visit and I had more drinks than usual, when i went to sleep I had the most vivid night terror. After having many in the past, I realised a major trigger was alcohol.

As a teenager society pushes the idea of drinking, its the forbidden fruit that’s not really forbidden. What harm can a few fruit ciders do at a party, buzzfizz? basically orange juice right, first legal drink in a pub with dad at 18, apparently sentimental occasion?

Once you reach 18, it’s pushed even more, every celebration “just have a dribble it can’t hurt”, “what do you mean you are sober, you barely even drank anyways”.

Now that last one stung because it is hard to be sober even if you did not drink much before. There is a difference between having some and having none, always making the choice to say no thank you, wading through the sludge of societal pressure and expectation to drink.

One of the things that helps me stay sober is spending time outdoors. There is so much beauty in nature. For me running is my way to calm my mind, especially when traversing beautiful mountain landscapes, forest paths and winding canals.”