Becoming an Accidental Non-Drinker: An Unexpected Journey
I never used to drink much anyway. But this feels different.
I became an accidental non-drinker since October 2022 after my trip to London. I remember choosing the zero-alcohol option on the plane and sticking with it ever since. The improved variety of zero alcohol beers made this a more appealing choice.
It used to be a revolting choice of malty messiness which a medicinal aftertaste.
No more.
By Christmas, I realised that not only had I stopped consuming alcohol but also noticed its absence didn't affect me much. I realised I really barely drank these days, unless I was back in London in the pub with my friends.
In fact, the idea of alcohol started making me uncomfortable.
Over time, I found myself disliking even the thought of the initial buzz from alcohol consumption and particularly disliked how it felt afterwards and in the mornings following even just one beer.
It seems like aging has made my body less adept at processing alcohol.
Fast forward to mid-July where I'm contemplating managing a trip to Japan next month without any alcoholic beverages despite its heavy influence in their culture. Thankfully there are plenty of non-alcoholic beer options in Japan which will allow me to participate culturally without having to drink sake or shochu - which will be avoided. The thought of my head in the morning makes me shudder.
While there's always room for an occasional bubbly during celebrations as exceptions presnt themselves, being content with this new lifestyle is surprising yet fulfilling. Some friends back home seem on similar journeys too – maybe it’s tied into our age group or perhaps wider cultural shifts around attitudes towards drinking?
Is this something that you’re experiencing too?
I became an accidental non-drinker a few months ago after my second bout of Covid. I abstained while ill and once recovered, didn't feel like drinking again so am rolling with it. In some ways I think the accidentalness is the key - it wasn't a grand decision or declaration, so it has so far felt very easy. Abstinence seems easier than attempting to 'cut back' too - all that 'will I/won't I', and 'but it's only Thursday' thinking, has disappeared.
As for your question, I think it's a combination of age, the ready availability of high quality zero alternatives and cultural shift (the popularity of 'quit lit' books and Instagram accounts, for example). For myself, I have observed that the 50s seems to be a decade when many people start to struggle - either they suffer a lot from just 1 or 2 drinks where they never did before (sleep, hangovers, loss of focus), or heavy drinking they have 'gotten away with' for years suddenly becomes deeply destructive. Being in my second half of my 40s, it seems a good time for this accidental development. We'll see where it leads.
I stopped drinking on 15th April 2002, because I needed to, my life was pretty messy, I was struggling with alcoholism. I have been sobber ever since. What I have loved this year is my husband choosing to drink zero alcohol beer and enjoying a drink with him rather than seemingly being the person on the outside of my peers and family. I also feel like I have the zero-beer option available to me which it is nice to have as a choice. I would love to see government reducing the cost of the zero options to encourage more to choose the healthier option. Most other zero alcohol options are full of sugar or alternatives. I wonder if some of the alcohol tax could be used to reduce the cost of healthier zero options - the price for water is outrageous and drinking water in a bar still seems to be frowned upon unless you are the designated driver.