Inspiring People Who Are Rethinking Drinking Volume 24

Meet Liam!

Some Good Clean Fun’s newest contributor learned to think critically about alcohol’s role in his life.

Liam, tell our readers a little about yourself.

Hi! I'm Liam. I'm a writer, poet, content counsellor, former journalist, recovering bartender, and now Some Good Clean Fun contributor living on Vancouver Island with my partner Meganne and our dog Quinn.

What was your relationship with alcohol prior to rethinking drinking?

I drank alcohol for half my life. I've forgotten more conversations that I can remember, blacked out more times than I can count, and spent so much money that I could have put a down payment on a house. Fortunately I never got arrested, badly hurt, or hurt anybody else.

I spent 10 years working in pubs, clubs, restaurants, and a brewery. To be honest, I loved it. Work time was social time, but social time was also drinking time. Which meant there wasn't a lot of time I wasn't drinking. But it paid my bills and helped me make friends. And I escaped the industry relatively unscathed. (And I still drank less working in bars than in journalism.)  

What was the moment that you decided to rethink your drinking?

I've been taking a month off drinking for the past few years, but the recent update to Canada's guidance on alcohol consumption was a major wake-up call.

Has it been easy or difficult to give up alcohol, and what do you think contributed to that for you?

The first few days of not drinking are always the hardest. But since making the decision to live alcohol-free, it's been easier. To quote Annie Grace, "You will no longer see quitting as, 'I never get to drink' but 'I never have to drink’."

Where there any tools (books, podcasts, etc.) that supported your rethinking process?

I stumbled upon Ruby Warrington's Sober Curious while trying to come up with a name for my content-counselling website, and it led me to Annie Grace's This Naked Mind, which was a game-changer.

Have you learned anything about your health in relation to alcohol that was surprising or you wish you had known earlier?

That no amount of alcohol is good for your health.

What are some benefits you have experienced since cutting out alcohol?

One big benefit is financial. And while my bank account grows, my beer belly shrinks. As a runner, I've noticed increased stamina and shorter recovery times. I've also noticed increased focus and clear-mindedness while meditating. But the biggest benefit has been emotional. Long-suppressed feelings have come to the surface and facing them has been a welcome opportunity for personal growth.

What were some common triggers you noticed that caused you to want to grab a glass of wine and what are you doing now to surge the urge when it hits?

I almost always had a beer after work. I work from home, so getting out of the house ⏤ even for a short walk to the liquor store ⏤ was a nice way to end my day. But it wasn't much of an adjustment to go for a walk to a different destination.

Socializing was a trigger as well. But my hands just needed something to do. I found out they don’t care whether what they’re holding has alcohol in it or not. 

What is the top piece of advice to someone who might want to rethink drinking?

Even if you're on the fence, read Annie Grace. Among her many memorable quotes: "Alcohol doesn't satisfy your desire for alcohol; it is what created your desire for alcohol." Boom! 

What do you wish you had known before you started this journey?

I wish I had thought more critically about alcohol. After learning about the efforts made to convince people that eating a lot of animal products is healthy, I was vegan for three years to kick my meat addiction. But I never thought about how similar efforts are made with alcohol. Fortunately the anger that arises when I think about how easily I was manipulated is a powerful motivator.

Finally - how will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?

With a pot of Irish stew, fresh-baked soda bread, and a can (or two) of Street Legal Nitro Stout. Sláinte!

You can read Liam’s first article for Some Good Clean Fun here.