Special Feature: How being drink aware can help you

How Being Drink Aware Can Help You

If, in the past you’re aware that you’ve used drink as a crutch, or that you’ve turned to binge drinking as a way of relaxing or trying to switch off then you’ll also be aware of just how hard it can be to stop too. Deciding to give up drinking and start living your life the way you want to is a huge step – and there are some important positives to keep in mind for when you do eventually break free from alcohol:

You’ll feel and look better

It might be one of the simplest aspects of quitting alcohol, but in the long term your body will thank you for it, inside and out. Cutting out the harmful toxins in booze will make your skin and hair look better as well as giving your liver a rest and chance to regenerate. Beauty might not be the sole reason for giving up, but when you look good people will comment.

You may become someone else’s lifeline

When you’ve been through something as challenging as giving up alcohol , other people who are just about to start on the same journey might want to open up to you about your experiences. You might find that you’re the perfect confidante and that you can use what was a terrible time in your life, to help and support others who need it.

You will find new buddies

The people who you hung out with before might have, in part, been responsible for the circumstance you found yourself in – or indeed, the opposite might have happened, you might have isolated yourself away from the people who you cared about. Once you recover, you can try and rekindle those lost relationships, or find new, inspiring friends to socialise with along the way. Particularly if they are people you’ve met during counselling.

Counselling itself can help

It isn’t just about AA, there are plenty of other self-help groups and counselling services you can make use of, depending on your circumstances and your situation. Make use of them and try and shake off the negative images these groups can provoke, very often you can meet exciting and vibrant characters who can end up enriching your life.

Laura Chapman