I remember Prof. David Nutt, the UK’s government advisor on drugs, proving that alcohol is more harmful (and addictive) than most other drugs. He was fired immediately. People don’t like the truth.

If you look at the statistics, alcohol is responsible for far more deaths annually than LSD and ecstasy. Alcohol is responsible for more deaths annually than fentanyl and heroin. But suggesting that alcohol is the problem, rather than blaming alcohol addiction on the people who “drink too much”, well, we’re just not there yet.

But I AM! I’ve decided to join the new trend and be “Straight Edge“. Straight edge’ is a great phrase. It feels good to rebel. Digging my heels in, going against societal norms, and checking in every day alcohol-free!

It’s RADICAL to be Sober!

Last night, my daughter and I went for a walk to our local ice cream place. It was a lovely warm night, and she’d suggested a treat. What kind of father would I be to stand in the way of that?

On the way there, I showed her my AF(alcohol-free) days counter on my phone, and she was really impressed. “You’re doing so well, and I’m really proud of you.”

I said that I’m hoping it’s the start of a good life without alcohol and that it’s a bad habit I truly want to break – one I’d had since I was her age (13). 

Whether or not I should be as open about this with her as I am, I’m never sure. But what I do know is that I’m being true and trying to gently steer her away from a problematic relationship with alcohol (my side of the family likely has a genetic predisposition to alcoholism).

After her vanilla chocolate brownie & raspberry ripple and my Belgian chocolate & vanilla chocolate brownie (yum), we walked home. At a bridge near our home she stopped to nip over the road for this view and said, “it never gets old” with the biggest smile ever. (13 going on 31!)

I, being a bit in my head, was looking at her, thinking about all the wasted Friday nights where I wouldn’t have bothered to get excited about going for ice cream, the missed opportunities, while at the same time savouring this moment because I could. 

Being able to enjoy wee moments like this never gets old, and long may it continue. I’m not doing huge amounts of ‘personal growth’ in the “externally-visible sense” – no washboard stomach, new qualifications or any of that “new habits – new me” marketable stuff here. What is growing is my trust in myself. I am much more reliable, and this is what I’m grateful for today.

The increased happiness of others through my reliability and stability is another thing to add to the ever-growing ‘Positives List’.

It’s Radical to be SOBER!

The fantasy of what alcohol is continues to be perpetuated EVERYWHERE. Reminding ourselves of what it REALLY is (with no BS) helps greatly.

I once believed alcohol was:

companionship
escapism
fun
confidence

But what was it REALLY to me?

It WAS:

Instability
Weight gain
Depression
Money thief
A destroyer of brain cells
Anxiety inducing
Personality corrupting
The most addictive substance I’ve ever taken (that’s saying something)
Relationship imbalance
Something that SCARES my child
A net negative impact on my life.

My alcohol aliens are powerful, brainwashing beings that I know exist, and might never get fully gone. However, the longer they’re starved of their precious fuel, the weaker they become. So no more alcohol for them; not today.

I am happier.
I am healthier.
I am stronger.
I am stable.
I am growing.
I am sober.

Come join us in Boom and Rethink the Drink. It’s RADICAL to be Sober!

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I’m going to be brutally honest. I signed up to Boom so long ago that I can’t remember when it was. My name, photo, etc, were all over it as a declaration to myself that I was definitely going to stop drinking. After so many failed attempts, I ran away to hide from my perceived failures. Seriously, I didn’t come back for so long that, when I found Boom again, I’d forgotten I had an account!

It was only after gaining a better insight into the supportive nature of the community that I dusted myself down, redressed myself, and braved typing ‘Day 1’. This time, was going to be different.

I don’t think there have been too many days in the last year I haven’t either been here absorbing, learning, feeling and connecting with my relationship with alcohol (through others).

IF ONLY I’d had the confidence to get back on the horse sooner
IF ONLY I’d posted more regularly
IF ONLY I’d read more about the struggles of others (to help me feel less alone, weird, alien)
IF ONLY I’d prepared my sober tool kit
IF ONLY I’d knew about, AND APPLIED HALT
IF ONLY I used the 4Ds
IF ONLY I’d just called it a day and went to bed – regardless of the hour
IF ONLY I’d understood the power of you all – strength in numbers.

That’s in the past. ‘First Attempt In Learning’ [FAIL] – I’ve made loads of mistakes, but I’m learning to the best of my ability.

If only I get through today without a drink, that’ll be another success.

Take the wins, especially when getting through each day without a drink seems like an impossibility. They add up.

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