Why I've never had a single drink of alcohol

People are surprised when I tell them I've never had a single drink of alcohol in my life.

Not one sip.

Not even by accident.

Every major decision, every meaningful conversation, and every moment of joy in my life has happened in complete sobriety. Some might see this as limiting, but I've come to recognize it as one of my life's greatest blessings.

I'm one of those rare people who has never had a single drink of alcohol. Not because I'm trying to prove anything, but because of choices made by my family long before I was born.

Now, as a healthcare professional, I understand why this uncommon path has given me so much more than it's ever taken away.

If you're curious about what a completely alcohol-free life looks like, or wondering if it's even possible in today's world, I'd love to share my story with you.

Why have I never had alcohol?

I was never exposed to it growing up.

My parents and grandparents don’t drink alcohol. My siblings and their families also don’t drink, and I married a man who doesn’t drink either.

This lifestyle started with our faith, but it's become so much more than that.

Yes, I learned about avoiding alcohol at church and home, but now as a healthcare professional, I see the effects of alcohol firsthand. What I was taught growing up wasn't just religious advice - it turns out to be backed by solid science.

I’m also aware that some people aren’t as fortunate as I am.

My husband had an opposite experience.

He grew up with a family member who abused alcohol. He never felt safe at home and dreaded coming home after school due to the risk of verbal and/or physical abuse if that family member was drunk, which happened frequently.

As a result, my husband decided to never drink alcohol.

Learning about others' experiences makes me grateful for my parents' and grandparents' choices that gave me a safe home.

Which is why I want to encourage you in your journey to keep living sober.

I hope to not come across as "I'm better than other people out there because I don't drink."

But this needs to be said: Your children will thank you.

I know that because that’s how I feel about my parents and grandparents.

Peace of mind. It is indeed a gift to your kids and grandkids.

If health is wealth, then an alcohol-free home is a type of generational wealth.

What Real Freedom Looks Like

One common thing I hear is, "Your life is too restricted. Where is your freedom?"

Here’s how I see it:

People often think of choice as the only aspect of freedom. For every choice, there is a consequence. While many view freedom only as the ability to choose, I consider the consequences of my choices.

What are the risks and consequences of drinking alcohol?

Hangovers, chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, car accidents, crimes, broken homes, domestic abuse, date rape, wasted money, wasted time, a foggy brain, clouded judgment, a lack of clarity, and a lack of focus.

Is there freedom in any of these outcomes?

I don’t think so, and that’s why I believe alcohol does not and will never grant me true freedom.

In fact, to drink alcohol is to give your freedom away.

According to recent US data:

• About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year. That’s about 20 people dying per hour.

• About two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths were from chronic conditions, which develop from drinking alcohol over time.

• Another one-third of alcohol-related deaths were from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion, including motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and deaths by suicide.

Real freedom, as I've come to understand it, looks like:

• Waking up every morning with a clear head, ready to tackle the day

• Being able to drive anywhere, anytime

• Making decisions I'll never regret or struggle to remember

• Having complete control over my actions and words

• Saving thousands of dollars each year

• Never wondering if I embarrassed myself at last night's party.

• Being present for every moment with my loved ones

A Social Crutch

Another thing people tell me is that my life is boring and that I’m missing out on fun, parties, and socialization.

Sure, I might go to fewer parties or bars than people who drink. But the friendships I have are real and deep - we connect over actual conversations and shared experiences, not just drunk nights we barely remember.

I'd rather have a small group of friends who know and accept the real me than a huge circle of drinking buddies who only know my tipsy self.

This is something I learned from Mark Manson's video about him quitting alcohol:

It’s not that I don’t make friends with people who drink alcohol.

I do have friends who drink. However, I respect their choice and they also respect mine. They’re not the ones who like to drag me down.

For example, I have friends at work who like to drink moderately.

There was one occasion when we had a small gathering, and they knew I don’t drink. It was very thoughtful of them to prepare alcohol for themselves while also providing a non-alcoholic drink specifically for me so I could still enjoy their company. I appreciate those kinds of friends, and those are the kind of people I like to keep.

Even though I'm missing out on a lot of things, I gain more from not drinking alcohol. On the outside, by their standards, people might think my life looks boring and dull, but I actually feel more peaceful, happy, and fulfilled.

Consider this: every major decision, every meaningful conversation, every moment of genuine joy in my life has happened in complete sobriety.

While others might wake up wondering what they said or did last night, I go to sleep knowing that every laugh, every word, every memory was authentically mine.

That's not restriction—that's freedom in its purest form.

Benefits of Sobriety

1. Life without alcohol saves me time, money, and energy.

Need I say more?

Because I don’t have to deal with the consequences of drinking alcohol, I can show up for my family, friends, and my patients at work at my best, and be able to focus on the things that actually matter to me.

2. What else? Better health.

According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption.

At the end of the day, alcohol is a drug. Alcohol is never healthy, not even a drop.

Alcohol is classified as a group 1 carcinogen and has been found to cause at least seven different types of cancer. This is one of those rare situations in which a substance is not harmless at any dose.

But what about red wine?

I've heard people say that too.

Let's talk about the "red wine is healthy" argument. Yes, red wine has some antioxidants, but you know what else does? Grapes. Berries. Fresh juice.

If someone's drinking wine "for their health," they're fooling themselves.

Why would you choose to get your antioxidants from something that's literally classified as a carcinogen?

It just doesn't make sense.

There are so many healthier ways to get these benefits without the downsides of alcohol.

I've seen how the "wine is good for your heart" myth has been oversold, while the cancer risks are often brushed aside.

On successful people

Can people achieve success while drinking alcohol?

Of course - many successful people do drink. However, alcohol itself doesn't contribute positively to achievement. If anything, these successful individuals likely succeeded despite their alcohol consumption, not because of it.

In case there are readers here that still choose to drink, please do so responsibly.

It is also important to know that less is better, and none is best. But again, there is no dose of alcohol that is considered beneficial for your health.

How do I handle social situations where alcohol is present?

There was one time at a Christmas party at work where they provided unlimited free drinks to everyone. I chose to drink fruit juice and water. The bartender was very accommodating and nice; he actually prepared a non-alcoholic red wine, which I tried, and it was good.

If I know that a social event will have alcohol and I don’t have anyone with me who doesn’t drink, I reconsider attending. Like, during that work Christmas party, my husband was with me, so I had someone sober to share the experience with.

However, if I go to an event where I know I will most likely be the only one who won’t drink alcohol, I prefer not to attend.

For Those Thinking About Quitting

If you're currently drinking and considering sobriety, know that there's no shame in wherever you are in your journey. While I've never experienced alcohol personally, I've witnessed countless people successfully transition to an alcohol-free life.

Each person's path is different—some quit cold turkey, others gradually reduce their intake, and many find support through professional help or communities like AA.

Everyone's story is different, and everyone's reasons are their own. But after sharing my journey, I want to leave you with this:

They say I'm missing out, but what I've found is this:

• Instead of liquid courage, I've discovered real bravery.

• Instead of numbing my pain, I've learned to heal it.

• Instead of drinking to remember good times, I actually remember them.

• Instead of fitting in, I've found the confidence to stand out.

• Instead of escaping reality, I've created a reality I don't need to escape from.

Some see sobriety as an end – an end to fun, to social life, to stress relief. But I've discovered it's actually a beginning: the beginning of authentic joy, genuine connections, and true freedom.

The choice is yours. What beginning are you ready for?

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,

-

Grazelle 🌱