I first gave up alcohol in January 2020 because of my acid reflux condition, which has resulted in me going to hospital twice after two separate nights of drinking – the pain was excruciating. Alcohol-related stomach issues are common in my family, so I decided to cut my losses and go sober.
Removing alcohol from my life made me realise that I never really liked the taste of it, or the version of myself that it made me become. It made me feel physically sick and I used to get very emotional and paranoid. I don’t see the point of drinking something that doesn’t make me feel good, I would rather just avoid it altogether.
Despite being adamant on not drinking, it can sometimes be difficult because of the people around me. Luckily, peer pressure isn’t normally a problem for me – my close friends know why I don’t drink and enjoy spending time with me regardless. However, when I meet new people, they don’t always understand. To avoid tension, I sometimes have one shot of Sourz when someone buys a round. It tastes nice and has a very low alcohol percentage, so it’s a good way for me to be included without drinking a lot. I don’t mind when a date drinks, as long as they don’t get too drunk – because that’s just bad manners!
I usually prefer to have a night in rather than go out, I enjoy playing games and watching movies with my friends. I also enjoy clubbing, despite being sober. The most important thing for me is the music – it has to be the kind that I can sing and dance along to. There’s a club in Islington, London, called Club de Fromage, which has the perfect vibe for me – cheesy, throwback, musical theatre-esque vibes. I can’t enjoy myself if I don’t like the music. I once went to a reggaeton bar with my friends and I didn’t have fun at all because I didn’t know the songs and I felt so awkward dancing.
Bottomless brunches and girly nights at cocktail bars are the things I miss the most about drinking. They just aren’t the same when you pay an extortionate price for unlimited orange juice. Unfortunately, it’s still a challenge to find bars with decent mocktail options and there’s only so much juice or coke that a person can drink. It gets boring. My favourite bar is Slug & Lettuce because they have a variety of mocktails, including a virgin Pornstar Martini, which used to be my favourite cocktail.
I don’t mind when my friends drink though, I think it’s actually really amusing to watch them embarrass themselves. Although, I do prefer meeting them for activities, rather than just drinking at a bar. I love going to All Star Lanes in Shoreditch – they have both cocktail and mocktail options, as well as activities to get involved with, like bowling and karaoke. There’s something for everyone to get involved with.
My advice to anybody wanting to try the dry lifestyle: find a place that fits your vibe. It’s all about feeling comfortable, so go with friends that won’t try to pressure you and find somewhere that suits your music taste. Research the non-alcoholic drink alternatives before going anywhere, so you know there will be nice drink options available for you, and you won’t feel left out. I’ve found that people stop pressuring me after I show them embarrassing drunk videos of me – I have a lot of them, but I shouldn’t have to do that. If I didn’t drink for religious reasons or because I was allergic to alcohol, then I don’t think people would push me as much. I would advise you to stand your ground and do what’s best for you, you don’t have to give people your reasons. Your real friends will support you – with or without alcohol.
Featured picture: Tasha Davis