What’s it like to quit drinking? 3 Australians share their stories

Alcohol is a big business in Australia, accounting for 14.9 billion dollars of spending in 2016. And according to a 2017 study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, those who do drink consume an average of 12 litres of pure alcohol per year. Gulp.

But that looks like it’s beginning to change. In recent years, more people are drinking less, with one in five Australians giving up alcohol altogether.

Despite the rise in individuals abstaining from alcohol, drinking still occupies a central position in Australian culture – and removing it from the equation can feel lonely and challenging. With this in mind, we spoke with three people who have embraced extended periods of sobriety – Lucy and John, aged 35, and 29-year-old Kate – to see what we could learn from their experiences.

Lucy, John and Kate all noticed a significant change in their sleeping habits once they quit alcohol. “The depth and quality of my sleep increased ten-fold, and that change was close to instant.” says Lucy.

It was a similar story for Kate. “After a week or so, I started to sleep the whole night through, whereas normally I would have interrupted sleep.”

For John, the change was so pronounced that he no longer had to set an alarm before going to bed.

The research backs all of this up, too. While a nightcap before bed may help you get to sleep, having a drink before hitting the hay is much more likely to impact your sleep negatively. Alcohol affects your body’s ability to enter the deep (or delta) sleep state, that important phase of rest that helps us to feel refreshed on waking.

Alcohol also impacts your circadian rhythms, meaning you’re more likely to wake during the night (and struggle to get back to sleep). And then there are the midnight trips to the bathroom; alcohol is a diuretic, causing many people to need to go to the bathroom more often.

Sleep deprivation – forgoing the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night – is a serious issue that’s been linked with a range of problems, from memory loss, trouble concentrating and feelings of irritability to more serious conditions, such as increased blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. “I notice that after a weekend of drinking I’m more emotional and temperamental.” says John. “When I’m not drinking, I feel less reactive, I’m less agitated.”

The Australian government guidelines around alcohol recommend that a healthy adult shouldn’t have more than two standard drinks on any one day, and no more than four drinks on any one occasion (one standard drink is defined as a can of mid-strength beer, 100ml of wine, or 30ml of spirits).

Binge drinking – defined as having more than four drinks in one session – can lead to adverse health outcomes in the immediate short term, but the long-term health consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are equally concerning. Exceeding two drinks per day increases your risk of stomach and bowel cancer significantly, as well as the likelihood of stroke and dementia. Of course, the more you drink, the more likely you are to develop a dependency – particularly in those who struggle with depression or anxiety.

John felt the health benefits of taking a break from alcohol across the board. “My workouts were better – I was faster and more responsive,” he said.

Kate echoed this sentiment. “My motivation for exercise was high, whereas when I was drinking it felt like an effort. I was excited to go swimming or go to yoga, it didn’t feel like a chore,” she said.

For many, alcohol and social situations go hand in hand, and can mask or dull feelings of anxiety. While alcohol’s sedative effect can help you to relax in the short term, those feelings of anxiety and unease will return as alcohol leaves your system – which is often amplified by the physical symptoms of a hangover.

Everyone spoke about the pivotal role that alcohol played in their social life. “A lot of my friends relate to each other through drinking, that’s how we’d hang out,” Kate explained.

For Lucy, it was a similar story. “I realised that a lot of the people I’d stick around with on a Friday weren’t actually my friends, they were people I’d hang around and drink with.” When she stopped drinking, this realisation led to a deepening of meaningful connections with her friends. “The quality of my friendships actually improved when I wasn’t drinking,” she recalled.

John, too, felt that sobriety had a positive effect on his social life. “When I’m not drinking, I find I spend more time by myself, I don’t go out as frequently,” he said. “I feel like I’m a better friend, I don’t cancel plans.”

Taking a break from alcohol isn’t just good for your body and mind; it can also help your bank balance. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found the average Australian household spent $31.95 per week on alcohol between 2015-16, a figure that adds up quickly.

“It’s incredible how much you save,” says Lucy, “and it’s not just on going out. It’s also things like not ordering food delivery the next day because I’m tired.” By saving the cash she’d ordinarily spend on booze and takeaway, Lucy was able to put more money towards self-care, “I’d get a massage or get my nails done, which was restorative.”

“I noticed a saving on things like ridesharing services and taxis,” agrees Kate. She opted to put that money towards treating herself to more premium healthy organic food, and even organic chocolate.

Almost everybody can benefit physically, mentally, and financially from a period of alcohol abstinence. Initiatives like Dry July are helping to create a dialogue about our relationship with alcohol in the national conversation, but there’s no need to wait for a designated timeframe to dip your toe in the waters of sobriety. As John puts it, “If everyone took the time to take a break from drinking – even just for a bit – they’d be surprised by the effects.”

If you’re concerned about your relationship with alcohol, contact the Alcohol and Drug Foundation information line on 1300 85 85 84 for a confidential chat.

Copyright © 2020 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances