One year ALCOHOL-FREE: It changed my life...
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- I have just passed 12 months alcohol-free, and it might just have been the best year of my life.
In this video, I explore some of the lessons I have learned and some of the common questions I get asked.
I'd love to hear what you think down in the comments 😊 🙏
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Why?
03:00 - Fun?
04:57 - FOMO?
06:47 - Do I Ever Want to Drink?
09:05 - Confidence
10:26 - What Do I Drink When Out?
10:51 - Benefits 
Хобби
A little over two years sober (minus two slips)… being sober almost feels like a superpower… it’s incredible.
I call it a superpower too! People have no idea that they are drinking kryptonite; it's infiltrated our culture without anyone realising...
Then you haven't been 2 years sober my friend. You have been dry since your last drink. You haven't started on sobriety yet. Take it from one who has been 34 years sober in 4 days.
@@ls-l1518 oh god cmon now..spare him the AA 12 step dogma that shames people for slipping up. 2 years with 2 slip ups is great progress and doesn’t take away the days he has spent sober.
@@ls-l1518 relax, he has done great 💪
That's how I felt when I stopped smoking pot, now 4 days sober from alcohol, here we go..
I read Allen Carr’s book nearly 2 years ago and haven’t had a drink of alcohol since. Have zero desire to drink again and am very happy to be free after 30 plus years of drinking.
That's a nice way of saying it; I'm happy to be free too 😊🙏
@@mikeauxbig you're so wise yet you can't stop drinking. Lol
how , I give in on Saturday sadly
@@mikeauxbig I read the book about 10 times before it finally clicked for me. I found it so easy to stop, that I thought it would be easy to stop again. It isn't, you have to read the entire book, drink your final drink and vow to not drink again. If you drink again after, you need to re read the entire book and do the ritual again. Alternatively, you can attend Allen Carr's clinics either in person, or over Zoom where you go through the course with an Allen Carr specialist (usually Crispin who wrote the book with Allen Carr). They offer a money back guarantee, either you quit, or you get your money back.
Listening to it now on audible and it’s really changing my perspective in alcohol pretty much immediately. The true test will be when the weekend arrives and my husband wants me to have drinks with him. 🤞 I can remember and implement everything I learned from Allan carr’s book
I did an alcohol fast and now 90 days alcohol free. Experiencing the benefits. Learning that I need to be brave to deal with trauma and past issues that are coming up now that I'm sober and not numbing myself with alcohol.
Good luck on the journey, and yes, it does take bravery, but the results feel more 'real' when dealt with sober. I wish you the best 🙏
I read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Drinking and immediately stopped drinking. I was a very heavy drinker, at least a bottle of vodka a day, drinking from waking. When I tried to quit by will power, it was literally torture. I would get violent shakes, whole body sweats and intense anxiety/depression. When I quit with Allen Carr, I had mild hand shaking, mild anxiety and bad sleep for 3 days. Even during those 3 days, I was one of the happiest I've ever been. I feel like I was freed from jail on death row. It has been 90 days now and I still am a happy none drinker.
Amazing, I'm so pleased it worked for you too! I wish you the very best on the journey ☺️🙏
Hi. Can I ask was there any point that made you come to this decision?
Thank you for this video. I quit drinking for 6 months after 27 years of some really bad nights and one particular horrific experience. During that time, I honestly felt unstoppable! After 6 months, I had just one beer, and I thought I had beaten it. I finally had control. Well, it didn't take long for me to end up exactly where I began. So, at the beginning of 2023, I'm starting over, and this time it will be forever. Like you, I turned to videos just like this one on RUclips for guidance, support and motivation. And look at me now, here I am once again watching another video! I can' t express how much I appreciate your "noise in the sea of information" because without this video, and others like it, I never would have changed my life in such an awesome way. You've helped me understand alcohol with a different perspective. Again, thank you.
Thank you so much for this comment, and I'm so pleased you're ready to try again. Like you, I gave up for a long time (a year) in the past, and I thought that proved I was 'in control', but where alcohol is unique compared to other vices like, say, eating too much chocolate, is that it changes how you think. Once those first few sips pass your lips, your decision-making won't be the same. I know that if I went back to it, it wouldn't take long for me to mess things up again 😂🤦♂️ Plus, I love my life now with alcohol-free living, so why would I go back? 🤷♂️
I wish you the very best on your journey 😊🙏
Almost the exact same experience for me. Quite eery! Only difference is I’m 28. Stay strong, Jonny.
Well said....same here 👍
I’m in the same boat, stopped drinking for a year felt great, after the year I thought I had it under control and started drinking again, but now I’m sitting back thinking that drinking has gotten it’s grip on me again. Drinking makes me spend and do things I shouldn’t be doing. I want to just stop and stayed focused on my life without alcohol. Appreciate the comment and the video guys.
I am 25 years sober. I had to get really comfortable with myself and it took 5 years to be out of woods on drinking again. I tried for 7 years before I stopped for good. Keep at it
Great video, thanks for sharing. It's been two months since my last drink, here's what I have noticed:
1. I don't watch TV anymore
2. I read books constantly
3. I've taken a keen interest in getting better, smarter
4. Much more present with my kids
5. Much more productive around the house
6. Thinking is sharper, clearer, and my memory has improved
7. Mood swings (especially with kids) are much improved
8. Energy is much higher and sleep is better
9. I got my wife pregnant
10. The house looks better
I don't think alcohol is evil, and I occasionally miss a good beer, but it's undeniable that I'm better off without it.
Sounds like your life is one-track now, thanks to YOU. I stopped drinking alcohol FIVE DAYS ago. Just starting my journey, you could say! AND, speaking of toxins... Two years plus with NO TV!
Getting drunk is basically just borrowing happiness from the next day
Love this, I haven't heard that before 🙏
Wow, fantastic thought 🤩
Well said.
I'm not finding many people who gave up without having had a problem to begin with, so I appreciate your videos
Thanks so much, I hope it helped! I wouldn't claim to have had a physiological dependency on alcohol, but it was definitely something I wasn't in control of. I am so much happier without it :)
Thank you for this video. Just passed my one year of no drinking. It’s like a veil has been lifted. Now trying to find a supportive tribe. 🙏🏻
Amazing! And are you going to keep going? And yes, the tribe is so important. I have a few local friends who have given up too which helps, plus I spend most my time running so my social life is built around that rather than the pub now ☺️🙏
not like, it has been lifted, stay strong brother
I cut the alcohol out 5 mos ago.Didnt have a “ problem” as far as I thought. Stopped having drinks because I no longer saw the point in it.I feel sooooo much better and get so much more done on a daily basis. Money saved is pretty nice too,lol👍 I have lost 40+ lbs and am riding 6 miles a day on my bike( strenuously)…..life getting better every day!
Amazing! Sounds a great journey you're on 🙂🙏
I quit drinking 1 year ago, just on a whim.
I can relate to a lot of things you say.
Now not drinking is like a superpower to me socially.
I call it my superpower too! 😂
Good for you!!! I am starting the same journey and I am 4 months sober! :) Feeling great so far!
Amazing! I'm so glad you're feeling better 😊🙏
Great stuff Chris. I'm into my 5th month and echo your thoughts here. It hasn't made my life perfect, and there are times where i do kind of miss taking the edge of stress with a few drinks, but overall it's a decision that is giving me gains/rewards/benefits rather than giving something up if that makes sense . Although I can feel disconnected at times, due to leaving alcohol completely, and the social side of things etc, on the other hand it feel great to be making progress. To be more active and to come home from the weddings and parties completely sober, going to bed fresh and then waking up fresh again the next day rather than being completely written off!
Thanks so much for your comment. I agree with you, there are times where it can feel a little isolating, but I feel like I have the tools to overcome that feeling now. The ups are definitely outweighing the downs. Thanks again for your comment and I wish you the best of luck on the journey 😊 🙏
Watching Dr. Huberman’s episode on the effects drinking has on your health did it for me. I highly reconnend it.
Thanks Timothy, I haven't listened to that yet; I'll put it on the list! I have noticed good improvements in my health, and I would say I was already someone who was pretty healthy to begin with. It's amazing how many little improvements I've made; I didn't realise what an impact it was making until I took it away for a long time. Good luck on the journey 😊🙏
It’s eye opening! Should be taught in schools.
Yup, same for me! It's hard for me to even consider picking up one drink
Huberman did the same for me😅. 151 days AF.
I run or walk every morning before work and love it. Could never have happened while drinking
Just over 2 months. Every aspect in my lift is going great
I'm so pleased! Good luck on the journey 😊🙏
Andrew Huberman has a great episode on alcohol on his podcast and YT channel. Highly recommended. He does cite studies that show that alcohol lowers your baseline mood. So if you feel +5 on a night of drinking and -5 on the morning of the hangover, the third day, and in the days that follow, you are not back to 0 but slightly below 0... It only goes one direction...
Hi Chris! I’m about to turn 27 in a few months and I decided to give up alcohol for a year out of the blue on New Years. Lately when I was drinking I was just not enjoying myself. I’ve decided to go all in on my personal development and career development this year and I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for me!
I love this! I wish I gave up in my twenties, it would have made life a lot easier. Best of luck on the journey ☺️🙏🏼
Four years clean and sober here, and everything's changed. Best decision I have ever taken. I couldn't recommend it more. Happy joyous and free, by the grace of God.
Just discovered your channel! Love it. I have symptoms of alcohol induced neuropathy and I'm absolutely done with alcohol. Thanks for sharing your journey!
I’m just starting out and have been listening to a lot of videos like yours but I love your gentleness-thank you
I quit drinking 3 years ago after what started out as a dry January. After 30 days, I figured shoot for 100 days see how I felt, then 6 months….. then a year. I am now 3 years in, and I don’t dare tempt messing with a good thing, because I know as an ex-smaller and ex-drinker, from previous experiences, not to even go there, because I will slowly get back into it.
I drank mainly beer for 27-28 years, and in my last 10 years, it became a bad habit, drinking one night, recovering the next. It was like Groundhog Day, over and over again, with nothing positive. Nothing super bad ever happened to me, like getting arrested or anything like that, but drinking got old and my life wasn’t getting any better. Since quitting, my life has been much better, and I am not only happy with all of the positives that follow quitting drinking, but I am relieved, because I have hit quit a few stressful times since quitting, and not sure how I would have handled them being in a constant fog. Over all, my life is much better without drinking, and my wallet is a lot fatter.
Could be the best video I’ve seen on this topic. I know you may think you are ‘just a small voice’ in a sea of RUclips videos on this topic, but so far, your ‘small voice’ resonated the most with me. Great Job!
What a lovely comment, I'm so pleased it helped :)
Honestly, your story, for me, resonates so much. Thank you for sharing.
You're most welcome, I'm so pleased it helped 😊🙏
Brother, best video I’ve seen about this topic. Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks so much for this wonderful comment, I hope it helped ☺️🙏
Hi Chris,
So glad I came across your video, you explained everything perfectly. I’m 2 weeks alcohol free now and I really want to keep it that way. I’ve listened to Allen Carr and it is really good but your honesty and insight on top of it is really inspiring.
The areas of FOMO and socialising just clicks with me.
I too are not a alcohol dependent person but I’m so much energised and happier / clearer / grounded person.
Just trying to reverse the brainwashing now so I can keep going.
Thank you very much 🙏
Thanks so much for the comment, it sounds like you’re off to a great start! Good luck with it ☺️🙏
Wow! Your arguments, your „style“ of drinking, your hangover experience and your reasons for quitting booze are something I can relate to a 100%. I find myself in everything you said.
I‘m at day 61 sober now and feeling great! Better workouts, improvement in body composition, a better recovery, a better relationship with my son, a clear mind…but one thing is different: My wife and me split up last month. But it hadn’t been my drinking that ruined everything because in the end alcohol had been some kind of glue that kept the marriage alive. But I‘m happy that I quit alcohol a month before everything ended. Especially when I think back of former breakups with other girlfriends in my 20s. After a breakup it always ended in bitter debaucheries. I‘m happy that I could manage the current breakup with a clear mind to take care of my feelings, my son, my everyday life and also my physical shape so the breakup didn’t leave me broken and wasted but in a better mental and physical shape than since the days I had been a teenager. In the end I have to admit that the last 60 days have been a rough time but also filled with so much positivity and refreshing changes. That would not have been the case if I had turned myself to alcohol etc.
Thank you for this video and greetz from Germany.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have been lucky and I haven't had any emotional trauma since giving up, but I often do little thought experiments like; "if someone close to me died, would I want to drink?", and the answer is always, 'no, absolutely not'. I would want to be the best version of myself to deal with the hardship, not to escape it.
I wish you the best, and I hope life gets easier for you soon 🙏😊
One of the best and most honest of this genre of video. Thank you.
Thank you, that's very kind to say, I appreciate that. I'm pleased it helped 😊🙏
Such a reasonable and pragmatic way to approach this issue. Love it thank you.
Thanks so much for the comment, I hope it helped 😊🙏
Great video Chris. Ive been getting ready to stop for a long time. I picked today as day 1, first day of fall, Ill take a fall break from booze which will hopefully continue. I used to run regularly which I stopped due to booze hangovers etc. Looking forward to getting back on the road. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks Steve, I appreciate that. I'm actually scripting a video at the moment titled 'Going Alcohol-Free Turned Me Into an UltraRunner!', so be careful, going sober can take you on unexpected adventures 😂
Good luck on your journey ☺️🙏
Your program here is among the finest I've seen. I was especially pleased by your clear and unambiguous opening remarks..I am where you were about 50 weeks ago. And away we go.
That's very kind of you to say, and I wish you the best on the journey! 😊🙏
Hello Great Video!! I just did a 30 Day challenge no Alcohol and Gym and decided to continue to keep it going and now 47 days no Alcohol …. I found that non alcoholic beers and wine help in social settings and Videos like Yours truly reinforces why I don’t want Drink Alcohol again I feel So much Better with Hangover free Weekends and Brain fog days after drinking.
Amazing work, and I'm so pleased you're feeling better for it. Best of luck on the journey 🙏🙂
I liked the graph. Very descriptive of the drinking process.
Way to break it down! Thank you. I needed to hear that.
Thank you for another great video! I’m 4 months along and feel better on my bicycle and sleeping better. Learning about the straight up poison that acetyl aldehyde is snapped me right out of it. I too enjoy the alcohol free beers 👍🏼
Love that graph. So true
I'm so grateful to have found your videos. I find that your message is uplifting and inspiring. I've had a long history of drinking and getting sober, year after year. I always have to work on stress and anxiety as my most difficult trigger to deal with. I would appreciate the ways in which you stay focused and calm so you can STAY sober. Thank you!
This is an interesting question and I've been pondering it for a while. I think one thing I have got a lot better at is accepting that I won't always feel calm! Many people tell me I always seem calm, but I am like the swan with kicking legs under water, and if only the person could hear what's going on in my head they wouldn't think I'm so calm. But I've accepted it, and I don't want to hide from it. I used to use alcohol to numb myself, but now I would much rather experience life sober, even if the moment I am experiencing is hard and uncomfortable.
The other strategy I have accidentally used is that I have now created a life that is so much better sober, and now relies on me staying sober. For example, because I wasn't waking up with hangovers at the weekend, I got into running. That gradually turned into me becoming an ultramarathon runner and now I need to go running every Saturday and Sunday, so I can't drink the night before. Plus I love running so much that I really don't want to drink to jeopardise my workouts.
There are lots of other examples along this line; being sober has helped me create a new life, and I need to stay sober to continue these fun things. It's a positive circle 😊
I hope that helps, it's so personal though. I'm sure you will find the answer you need somewhere 😊 🙏
Thank you so much. I too have gotten back into my drawing. When I drink my beer of course then I can't draw. So I'm finding messages like yours to inspire me. So I ask myself, would I rather get stupid or creative tonight. And Art is winning. Thank you. Happy New Year!!
@@jujumulligan43 Fantastic juju! You are very gifted and creative! and you inspire me, thank you! I haven't read the book, watched a short 3 minute testimonial about Allen Carr's book "The Easy Way to Mindfulness" (he took a course with Emma) ruclips.net/video/OoIzP0Z2YGA/видео.html I imagine it may help support anxiety. Sending you peace and calm, honor your emotions :) You are amazing!
Thank you so much. I could relate to everything what you said. And makes me feel that it’s normal to have a non alcoholic drink
Thanks so much for the comment. I have a friend who used to have full-on alcohol dependency and he doesn't drink AF beers etc because he feels it might be a 'gateway drug', but for me, I just never want my decision making to change like it does with alcohol, but I feel confident AF beers won't make me want a real one. It just comes down to knowing your own mind 😊
Best of luck on the journey 😊🙏
I had a similar story, on my old college friend's birthday.
Everybody was drinking, but I did choose to drink yet I knew it i shouldn't...
Next 2 days went to the bin.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I love that you made a sober to drinking fun chart.
I have also noted a lot of the RUclipsrs I like have videos talking about how they've quit drinking and it's been one of the best things they've ever done. Your style of drinking sounds a lot like mine ... I really like trying the new beer at the taphouse, but then I end up having three.
😂 yep, I'm a geek, I love a chart 🤦♂️
But yes, it was absolutely one of my better life decisions. I'm 2.5 yrs in now and life is good. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best with it ☺️🙏
This is probably the best video i have seen on the topic. Thank you
Thank you so much, that's very kind to say 🙏
Chris, thanks so much for posting your video and honest discussion about alcohol. I'm convinced to totally give up drinking starting now. I would consider myself a social drinker and agree with your comments on how drinking impacts my life so have decided to quit all together. Thanks once again for the video and you're a inspiration:)
Thanks so much, that is very kind of you to say. I wish you the best on the journey ☺️🙏
This was really helpful! Thank you 🙏
I'm so pleased it helped 😊🙏
I've been sober for 3 years now, quitting alcohol has been the best decision i've ever made in my life!
I've just crossed 3-years too. It truly is life-changing 😊🙏
This is great, Chris. One thing that's helping me stay sober (33 days in now, and hopefully for the rest of my life) is remembering that I'm doing something nice for myself, not punitive. So instead of feeling like I'm depriving myself of something, I'm helping myself feel better and have a better life :) Congrats on 1 year!
Thanks so much! And yes, you have to keep reminding yourself that. Sometimes my wife thanks me for giving up because she is so much happier too. I tell her that I'm pleased she is happier, but I didn't do it for her, I did it for me. The ripple effects on my family and those around me is a huge added bonus, but we have to do it for ourselves first and foremost. Best of luck on the journey 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch thanks, Chris! I’m at 37 now 🙂 I also picked up a copy of Allen Carr’s book to help keep this streak alive, and I’m loving it!
I really need to hear this. Thank you!
You're most welcome, I wish you the best 😊🙏
Great vudeo that I echo! We're on about day 80 and amazing what it's done so far. Especially with anxiety going away. And my productivityt in everything went up ten fold! Cheers to all keeping it clean in this alcohol obssessed world1
Congratulations! I'm glad you're feeling better. Good luck on the journey ☺️🙏
Excellent video… really helpful and honest. Thanks very much for sharing your story.
Thanks so much, I hope it helped 🙂🙏
Recently stopped drinking for about 5 months now. I agree, I do sometimes miss the first two drinks and a cocktail party or a bar. But everytime I leave that social interaction, I feel so happy about not having had those two because of the way I feel the next morning.
Absolutely, I never regret not drinking 😊🙏
I love the explanation on paper. Thank you sir!
I'm glad it helped! That's how my brain works, I like graphs 😂
27 days to go 1yr sober and ive managed to un puck my life. Fancy that. I did have a physical dependence, terrible business. Its allowed me to mature into an adult at 53 😊
prayer for removal of any and all
energetic blocks and obstacles:
including curses and jinxes and hexes
and demons and spells and parasites.
I just purchased Allen Carr book you suggested on one of your videos. My drinking is such I do not know when to stop. I think I can have a bottle of wine and no more that’s not the case, I just continue to want more, hoping as I read the book it will make me realise I do not need to drink. One day at a time. Thank you for your videos they really inspire me 👍🙂
Thank you for your comment and sharing your story. I hope the book helps you like it did for me. Good luck on the journey :)
Thanks for sharing with that😊
You’re most welcome, good luck on the journey ☺️🙏
I liked the part about that you’re not missing out on something, you’re just choosing another experience. Cool
Thanks so much. And good luck on the journey 🙏🙏🙏
Great vid 😁 currently just tipped over 6 months with no alcohol... I'm very much enjoying the clarity in the mornings, even though i wasn't a massive drinker ( couple of ciders with tea most nights) I have noticed the difference.
That's great! I also think the one or two drinks made a difference, not just the big nights. I'm coming up to 3 years now, and I can't imagine ever going back...
I really enjoy this video about drinking. So true. I’m about 2 years sober . I wish also for the 2 beers, but can’t do it
Same, I cant go back, I can't open the door again. 'Just one beer' will open it up to going back to my old ways
Did a year off in 2020 through Covid. Now doing a month or two off day 26 at the moment. Do jive dancing a lot, and I never drink when i dance.
Thank u chris just completing 1 month,and it felt like a marathon,shall keep on going
I wish you the best on the journey 😊🙏
Thanks for sharing. I stopped drinking Monday it only been a few days but feel better already. Just hope I can make 100 days and many many more.
Best of luck with the journey, I can assure you, it's totally worth it 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch thank you
How is it going?
Love everything you said! Couldn’t agree more :)
Thanks so much Hayley! And best of luck on the journey 😊🙏
Great video Chris. I am not a huge drinker and follow similar rules to you when you were drinking alcohol. I did a year teetotal in 2019 and it was great! There were times during social occasions I wanted to drink to "fit in" but didn't for that year.
Since then I have gone back to drinking but not for the right reasons (I wanted to "fit in" again). I have better control, and my friends now accept that I will often not drink, but might occasionally drink.
Watching this has given me some more determination to get back to being teetotal as I felt amazing during that year. I train a lot in the gym and through cycling and running, so it would support my training too.
Thanks for a great video, and for reinforcing and reminding me of my experiences a few years ago!
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your comment, and great observations. I did a year off drinking a few years ago, but my problem was that when I went back to drinking, I didn't actually have more control. After a couple of drinks, my brain wants more, even though before the night starts I genuinely only want two drinks.
I realised that, for whatever reason, I have to cut it out completely. And as I say in the video - I'm loving it!
It sounds like a bit of mindfulness will help you - paying attention to the primal brain and how it wants to fit in the the tribe. Once you notice that and ignore it, you will be fine! :)
Good luck on the journey 😊 🙏
Your FOMO point is well made 👍
Thank you - that's how my brain works, I like a graph 😂
Thank you, very inspiring.
You’re most welcome 🙏☺️
I realised the reason why it’s so hard for me to quiet is because of the loneliness. I don’t have friends I don’t drink with and it’s not easy making new ones. I get bored at home in the city being by myself so I go out with everyone and drink. Trying so hard to stop but it’s so difficult
A very interesting topic. I think the british drinking culture is one that is particularly difficult to dodge, work events often are drinking marathons, I remember in one interview I was actually asked if I liked to drink, when I said I was teetotal they were horrified :)). The company culture was one of drinking. Some teams lived in the local pubs literally! On nights out there was never any food. Also it was tough as a woman in a predominantly male industry.
Living in the Middle East life really does NOT revolve around drinking, lots of restaurants do not serve alcohol and that is fine for me, it creates a totally different atmosphere, much more relaxing and great for families too. Of course if you want to drink there are many licensed places but it is much more controlled - which is a good thing in my opinion.
I recently remarked when I was in Geneva, Switzerland how every other shop was a winebar or an off license. However, the difference being in Switzerland, France and Italy is that usually people have one or two drinks (apéro) with some nibbles to soak up the alcohol and people are not drinking to get drunk. I gave up for three years (a while ago) and it felt great. I didn’t miss drinking at all. The most difficult part was other people goading me to have a drink. Now I drink very occasionally but it doesn’t suit me, I feel fine at the time but horrible the next day.
Well done, making conscious choices about the way you live is fantastic.
You are well travelled! It must be so interesting to see how different cultures make their lifestyle choices, and what impact it has on them as a society.
You are right, there is a huge culture of binge drinking in the UK and I have certainly been swept along with that through the years. When you couple a culture of drinking with a natural tendency to enjoy getting drunk (the genetic/metabolic factors that are out of my control), then it's not a good mix.
I remember being on holiday in Morocco a few years ago and seeing the tea rooms being so busy in the evenings with people having great conversations but zero alcohol; it was so refreshing to see!
And lastly, yes, conscious choices like these go against the primitive brain's instincts, so can be hard at first. But it definitely feels like it's been the right decision and is leading to a better life.
Thank you so much for the comment 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch yes re. Morocco exactly. Alcohol is not required to enjoy oneself and have a great evening & good conversation.
I think it is great that you have made a conscious choice it takes a lot of courage.
grew up in the irish section of boston in the 60s. unbelievable the amount of booze there was. and you are right, never trust a man that doesn't drink. was a common saying.
Outstanding Chris, really well done!!
I WAS dependent and I used The Easy Way to Control Alcohol.
Amazing book.
Good luck to you and hope to see you at the UTS 50 if you're doing it again.
Oh wow, thanks so much for your comment. That's interesting; some of the negative feedback I've had is that this 'shallow approach' can't help alcohol dependency, so I'm so pleased it helped you. I always make it clear that I'm not the expert here, but I'm sure this approach can help many people.
And yes, I will be at UTS again! It's such a great race. See you in May 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch Great news!
Hello Chris. Thanks for sharing your stories. I stopped drinking and found your experiences relatable and they helped prepare me for obstacles I might (and did) come across along the way. I too, found RUclips a valuable tool to connect with people with the same goals. Anyways thank you again and good luck with the rest of your "story". - Pudster - 500+days
Thanks so much, and best of luck to you too 😊🙏
Congratulations! ❤
Thanks so much ☺️🙏
good for you !
Awesome 👏
This is really helpful. I've never met someone who explains it so simply. I absolutely cannot control myself after having one drink. A lot of my friends don't understand why I can't just reduce how much I have but its virtually impossible if you have this binging tendency
I have the exact same thing in me. I wish I didn't, but I do. Cutting out alcohol completely is the only way for me to control it, and my life is so much better now. Good luck on the journey ☺️🙏
@@ChrisBranch Thanks Chris, I’ll try reading the book and hope it gives me the motivation. I’m a bit terrified about how I’d manage dating, relationships, social occasions alcohol free. I’ve tried it in the past for several months at a time and it’s always felt like somethings missing. Went through a break up recently and it seems like every girl on dating apps wants someone who drinks
great video, thank you so much!
You’re welcome! I hope it helped 🙏☺️
awesomeee!
This Allen Carr guy must feel a hell of satisfaction having helped so many with that book. !
30 days short of 2 years without a drink. My story is very similar to yours. I was a weekend binge drinker. I just got tired of my weekends revolving around a drug addiction.
I know exactly what you mean. Well done on the (nearly) two years! 😊🙏
That part about confidence is so true! Now that i dont drink (23 days sober) i have to rely on myself to be confident instead of using alcohol has a bandage. What alcohol free beers have you tried?
I've tried pretty much all of them! I tend to find I rotate through them. Whereas with alcoholic beers I had my time-old favourites that I would go to time and time again, with AF beers I tend to get a bit bored after a while and move on to something else.
I think my favourite is Brew Dog 'Hazy Jane' and 'Elvis Juice', but even then I rotate them so I don't get bored.
Good luck on the journey
Running and cycling groups and clubs take the place of bars and booze when we grow up and get a grip on the fun and work of life that adulting is.
I love this comment, you're so right. I was chatting about this yesterday with someone; all the best things about being an adult come with consistent work done for a long period of time. Alcohol is kryptonite to that process 🙏
Had my last drink in 2010 and haven't missed it one day since.
Thanks for sharing.
You’re most welcome 🙏☺️
Currently on day 49 of no alcohol (before that is was one night of drinking which broke a 55 day fast from alcohol) this came after a period of 4 months living with a hard-drinking family member where I drank a lot as well. I have kept myself busy by going to the gym in the mornings before work. The weekends are still rather difficult because the day is pretty much over at 4pm but I realize if I stayed out it would only mean drinking. In the past I was a problem drinker bordering on alcoholism.
Well done! It sounds like you are on the right path, I wish you the best with it 🙏
Perfectly said. 👍
I gave up alcohol nearly a year ago. Had one slip-up a couple of months ago - felt like absolute rubbish for 48hrs! 🥴
Happily sober for the foreseeable future now. I love the feeling of being able to enjoy weekends out running in nature, rather than nursing a hangover on the couch.
Feel like I'm actually living life, now - you're right, we gain so much by losing alcohol.
I actually have nightmares that I accidentally got drunk, I can never remember how, but I'm drunk and then starting to get a hangover ... then I wake up 🤷♂️😂 I can't ever go back. I wish you the best on the journey 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch 🤣😱 It was just a dream!
Thanks Chris, it's a great journey to be on. Thanks for making the content you do.
Being social makes you social - brilliant
It's so simple once you see it! Being a good listener, being able to verbalise your thoughts, being able to remember what happened - these are all good social skills - not being tipsy 😂🙏
I don’t have a physiological dependency on alcohol, but every time I drink I don’t stop until it’s too late and I’m heavily drunk. You said you wouldn’t do it regularly, but I do it every time I have nothing else to do a night. I use it as an excuse to socialize or the other way around, I use the socializing as an excuse to drink. I’m also single so it’s hard to try and go out and try to meet someone when most of the time they are drinking and how would I approach without drinking.
This sounds a tough situation, but there will be an answer. I decided to give up when I was already married, but looking back (and knowing what I know now), my single life would have been so much better if I wasn't drinking. I'm sure you will find other videos that help give you specific strategies regarding this, but all I can say is that trying to improve oneself can never be a bad thing, and I'm sure it will make it more likely you will find the right partner. I wish you the best on the journey 🙂🙏
Better to choose someone while you are sober. Its more real.
The problem for many adults is that most socialisation centres around food and drink. There are very few venues outside the home where adults can meet and sit quietly and talk . Other venues are set up for specific interest eg Gym, Library, Sporting venue etc where conversation is difficult or discouraged. Adults fall back on going out for a drink or meal to celebrate or just meet up for general purposes. Society needs some heavy duty social re-engineering but this would work against the profits of the food and drink industry - its just not going to happen. Questions for Chris - how difficult is it to keep contact with "drinking" friends.? Do people who give up alcohol need to find new friends or interests? I note that your socialisation (even when not drinking ) still involves going to the pub for conversation with a soft (usually sweet sugary) drink. Do they ever meet up in non-drinking venues? This must be tough.
Social re-engineering? I guess you're turning a blind eye to their, the WEF, evil Great Reset taking place? Or the whole 2030 and the same group saying by 2030 we'll own nothing and be happy.
Great Video Chris. I don't think you ever said what you do drink when out. I find it difficult when out as end up having a Diet Coke which I don't have often and feel this almost does me more harm than a beer. I am tending to go for Red Wine and no/low alcohol beers rather than anything else. Normal craft beers don't seem to agree with me anymore.
Thanks Matt, I appreciate it 🙏 😊. I only touched on it briefly - I have an AF beer if they're available, or I just have mineral water. Coke makes my teeth sticky and I'm quite content just sitting there with a water and lemon 😊
[I just realised all my timestamps were wrong! 🤦♂ They're fixed now 😊]
I can agree about Diet Coke being harmful. I quit that first a couple of months ago and now alcohol 2 weeks ago. My husband and I went to dinner at a friends house and they had wine and gin & tonic ready, but we reassured them that even though we’re not drinking alcohol anymore we’re perfectly fine with them having it. It does feel like it’s not as fun for them to ‘drink alone’ ha ha. We brought them some beers and I brought homemade cola syrup with seltzer for everyone to try if they were curious. We had a good time and I felt good when we left, slept well and feel good this morning sipping a matcha latte ☺️🍵
I began a spiritual journey and decide to slow my alcohol consumption. This consumption was also linked to use of cocaine than the confinment come and I was at the summum of this. After I decide to radically change my life who was falling aprt. Two years later I finally ñaunch my artistic carreer, I practice yoga and do meditation and I am finally myself and no this fake version of me. Quiting alcohol is the best thing you should do as for now even when I eat I don´t feel the need to drink a glass of wine. You din´t need alcohol to be happy and to meet people. not everyone can follow you in your journey I have lost some people but find another tribe who is more related to me. The best thing I see is that more and more young people don´t dirink alcohol.
What a wonderful journey, thanks for sharing 🙏
Cool Chris.
Thanks so much Brian 🙏
Thanks
Love this video. Wouldn’t say I had an dependency either. But I liked to binge drink. I don’t like 1 drink. I like 3-4 to feel tipsy and/drunk. Gave up alcohol 2 months ago and never felt better!
I'm so glad you're feeling better! Good luck on the journey 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you very much! :)
You're most welcome ☺️🙏
Avoiding hangovers is really easy. Just increase your tolerance through regular consumption. I recommend what worked for me: 45-120 standard units per week. Be careful with liqueurs, tall drinks, whisky, congnac, vodka, gin, etc. Stick to beer and vine. If you find yourself surpassing 2 wine bottles per day, dial back.
boom just like that. hangovers gone after a few short years
1:45 Amazing coinsdence with the brightness of the sun when you start speaking about your alcohol use. "... drinking more and more" dark background, "I should be stopping..." more light (hope), "... best idea to have more drink" dark background again (hope lost).
Oh yes, I'd never noticed that 😂
Great video
Thank you ☺️🙏
I am pretty much alcohol free...have had one or two now and then instead of regular weekend drinking (not that much but too much for me) and I am so happy I hardly drink.
Listening to u Chris is u telling me my story . Thanks for the way u deliver ur message and ur journey. I love listening to u and u have helped me so so much 👍
I'm so pleased it helped! 😊🙏
@@ChrisBranch Thank u 👍
well done
Well this is a rather brilliant video - thank you for sharing some really useful insights on your story. Now the tribal piece and fitting in is the area I wanted to discuss. I realise in your pub story where you got the round you could basically get an alcohol free one and no one would notice but what would happen if you went to someone's party and they had a line of tequila slammers set up ? How would you handle that kind of thing where you can't get an alternative ? How strict do you need to be on the issue of total avoidance ?
Thanks for the question. I'll answer the last bit first, because that makes the rest of it much easier.
First, know yourself. I know myself, and I am not the sort of person who can 'drink less' or 'cut down'. It has to be zero for me. This is partly my personality, but partly the fact that alcohol changes how I think. For example, if I go to a party thinking 'I won't drink much tonight', but then someone gives me a tequila, well, there's only one way that night is going to end up! 😂
However, if I say 'I don't drink', and then my friends pester me, the answer is 'I don't drink'. If I drank a little bit, it opens the door for them to hassle me 'just this once'.
In my experience, two interesting things happen once you start to tell your friends you don't drink; firstly, they don't care. Secondly, many of them will be interested in how it's going. You will become an inspiration, not to everyone, but a few will be forever grateful to speak to you.
Either way, you will be amazed at how little anyone cares that you didn't drink the tequila, or they'll end up so drunk they'll forget about it anyway 🤷♂️
@@ChrisBranch thanks I think we have similar mindsets so I guess I'm going to have to go all in too.
Thankyou
You're most welcome 😊🙏
“It’s the best idea to have one more drink“
That part of my brain was such a saboteur lol
Great video, thank you!
What do you do for work?
Thanks so much! And I'm an osteopath 🙂