Alcohol and Mental Health

Alcohol and mental health have always been closely connected for me, and it wasn’t until I decided to remove alcohol from my life that I truly began to see how much it impacted my emotions. At first, it felt like I’d lost my safety net. Alcohol was the thing I turned to when I wanted to numb sadness or quiet the thoughts in my mind, but all it ever really did was put a temporary bandage over a much deeper wound.  

Without it, I was left standing there, feeling exposed. Depression hit harder than I expected, and I’ll admit, there were moments when I questioned whether this journey was worth it. But here’s the thing: removing alcohol forced me to face emotions I’d spent years avoiding. I felt raw, yes, but I also started to feel something I hadn’t in a long time—clarity.  

I won’t sugarcoat it: some days are tough. Many days right now feel tough. Depression can make everything feel heavier, and choosing to live alcohol-free while navigating those feelings can be a challenge. I’ve learned that the sadness I used to try to drink away is actually something I need to sit with, process, and eventually let go of. Alcohol doesn’t make those feelings disappear; it just delays them.  

What’s helped me the most is finding small ways to cope that don’t involve numbing out. I go for walks and take photos of the sky or the way the light falls on the trees. Writing, like this, helps me get out what’s swirling in my head. I’ve also started to reconnect with people in a way that feels more real. Being alcohol-free changes how you show up in the world—it’s more honest, more raw, but also more meaningful.  

There’s something incredibly humbling about stripping life back to its bare essentials. Soda water, ice, and lemon—my “bare bubbly”—is such a simple drink, but it’s become a symbol of everything this journey has taught me. Life without alcohol isn’t always easy, and when you’re feeling low, it can feel like the hardest thing in the world. But every time I make it through a tough day, I feel a little stronger, a little more connected to myself.  

If you’re reading this and feeling like your own alcohol-free journey is harder than you expected, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel sad, frustrated, or even lost sometimes. What matters is that you keep going. You’ll find your own version of “bare bubbly,” and I promise, life on the other side is worth it. It’s not perfect, but it’s real—and that’s something I’ll never trade.  Alcohol and mental health have always been closely connected for me, and it wasn’t until I decided to remove alcohol from my life that I truly began to see how much it impacted my emotions. At first, it felt like I’d lost my safety net. Alcohol was the thing I turned to when I wanted to numb sadness or quiet the thoughts in my mind, but all it ever really did was put a temporary bandage over a much deeper wound. 

Without it, I was left standing there, feeling exposed. Depression hit harder than I expected, and I’ll admit, there were moments when I questioned whether this journey was worth it. But here’s the thing: removing alcohol forced me to face emotions I’d spent years avoiding. I felt raw, yes, but I also started to feel something I hadn’t in a long time—clarity.  

I won’t sugarcoat it: some days are tough. Depression can make everything feel heavier, and choosing to live alcohol-free while navigating those feelings can be a challenge. I’ve learned that the sadness I used to try to drink away is actually something I need to sit with, process, and eventually let go of. Alcohol doesn’t make those feelings disappear; it just delays them.  

What’s helped me the most is finding small ways to cope that don’t involve numbing out. I go for walks and take photos of the sky or the way the light falls on the trees. Writing, like this, helps me get out what’s swirling in my head. I’ve also started to reconnect with people in a way that feels more real. Being alcohol-free changes how you show up in the world—it’s more honest, more raw, but also more meaningful.  

There’s something incredibly humbling about stripping life back to its bare essentials. Soda water, ice, and lemon—my “bare bubbly”—is such a simple drink, but it’s become a symbol of everything this journey has taught me. Life without alcohol isn’t always easy, and when you’re feeling low, it can feel like the hardest thing in the world. But every time I make it through a tough day, I feel a little stronger, a little more connected to myself.  

If you’re reading this and feeling like your own alcohol-free journey is harder than you expected, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel sad, frustrated, or even lost sometimes. What matters is that you keep going. You’ll find your own version of “bare bubbly,” and I promise, life on the other side is worth it. It’s not perfect, but it’s real—and that’s something I’ll never trade.  

~BB