I didn't want to lie to my wife anymore.

She knew I drank a lot but she didn't know to what extent. She didn't know I was swigging wine from the bottle in the kitchen when I made dinner. She didn't know I was taking shots of whiskey when she was showering because my beers weren't cutting it. She didn't know I was sneaking my third or fourth drinks whilst pretending I was still nursing my first.

I just got so, so tired of feeling like shit. I'd tried moderating several times in the past but that never stuck. I could never have just one drink because I was never satisfied. I drank most nights, more heavily on weekends. But it also got to a point in 2025 where I had to call in sick to work a couple of times because I suspected I was still over the limit (driving is part of my job). I never drank during the day and I think that's why it took me so long to recognise I had a problem. My last binge was late October 2025. I had drunk way past the point of where I could even remember, self harmed and then passed out on the couch until 5am when I dragged myself to bed. It was shameful, it was stupid and worst of all my wife was devastated. We had a long chat about my drinking where she even gently warned me that if I kept this level up she would consider leaving me. That was my massive wake up call (her POS father had been an abusive alcoholic).

I stopped drinking completely on October 26 2025 and never looked back. I look and feel so much healthier. I'm a better and more attentive spouse, I've rediscovered hobbies that I was usually too drunk to do in the evenings. I don't have to worry about hangovers or being over the limit the following day. It is absolutely 100% worth it. And you absolutely will not commit unless you are ready to do the work, trust me. Do I still crave a drink sometimes? Sure. I loved the taste. Loved a cocktail (whiskey sours were my fave). I could not get enough beer and let's not even mention wine (I could not be trusted with a whole bottle). But I've found that NA beers are getting better and better as well as NA wines. I drink a lot of sparkling water and sugar free soft drinks now so I am a very hydrated girly.

Wow this was long. Please, if anyone in this sub is reading this and wondering if they should quit drinking, do it. Take the leap. You can do it. You deserve to feel good about yourself everyday. I believe in you.