Australia is a land known for its vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and laid-back lifestyle. It’s also known for it’s deeply engrained drinking culture.
However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift with an increasing number of individuals choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle with ‘zero’ drinks becoming more mainstream.
So lets explore societies relationship with alcohol and how you can more easily adopt a booze free 2025 without feeling like you’re missing out…
My Relationship With Alcohol – Then and Now
I guess a good place to start would be to get super vulnerable and describe how things have changed for me as it maybe a familiar story for others…
Growing up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in the 90’s, binge drinking was a right of passage and a regular occurrence. It really wasn’t till I was engaged that I started questioning mine and my fiancé’s drinking habits. Our intake certainly decreased after we had our first child however I still found that a red wine whilst cooking and/or after the kids went to bed after a long day was my go-to ‘treat’.
In a quest to ‘rediscover’ the once free, fun loving version of me before kids, I found myself drinking more on weekends. The result being debilitating hang overs, anxiousness, regret, declining health and a deep desire to connect more deeply to my life, my relationships and my kids.
Since then, life’s come full circle, it’s now a rare occurrence for me to have even one drink. This year I’ll be celebrating another sober Christmas and New Year which will extend throughout 2025 as I support many of my clients to do the same.
Do I miss a drink? Occasionally. But there has never ever been a morning where I’ve woken up and regretted not having a drink… NEVER.
So What Keeps us Stuck in Unhealthy Drinking Habits?
The first place we want to look at our thoughts, stories and belief systems. These usually come from our upbringing, our peers, societal and cultural norms. They may also come from the internal stories that we use to excuse or validate our drinking.
They might sound something like…
“I’ve worked hard, I deserve a drink”
“I’m so stressed, I need a drink”
“I’ll miss out on the fun if I’m not drinking”
“I need a drink to relax”
“Having a drink will distract me from the reality of X”
“If I drink I’ll fit in”
“I need some dutch courage”
“I’ll just have 1 drink”
“I/it won’t be as awkward if I have a drink”
“Being sober is boring”
But are any of these beliefs actually true? And what if they weren’t? What could they be costing you and those closest to you?
The Truth…
Watching or listening to the weekly news on a Monday regularly consists of alcohol fuelled violence and accidents and we’ve all been affected or known someone who’s been affected by alcoholism.
Whilst many have a healthy relationship with alcohol, according to a 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics survey (available here);
- More than 1 in 4 adults in Australia exceed the Alcohol Guidelines
- Males are more likely than females to exceed the Alcohol guidelines
- More than 1 in 3 young adults aged 18-24 exceed the Alcohol guidelines
- Almost 1 in 5 adults between aged 65-74 exceed the Alcohol guidelines
***The above is based on those that exceed the Australian Alcohol Guidelines of more than 10 standard units of alcohol in a week or more than 4 standard units of alcohol on any given day.
For many, Alcohol is an addictive and toxic drug. Whilst we might believe it’s a relaxant, it’s actually a depressant which increases cortisol (stress hormone) in the body. It also has several other serious mental and physical health risk factors.
We are surrounded by it. Your calendar is never going to be free from “alcohol-free” events and there’s never going to be a ‘good’ time to stop drinking.
After a period of sobriety (the longer the better), many will find a more healthy relationship with alcohol. However, for others it will slowly regress back to where it once was, and a life-long commitment will be a healthier option.
Benefits of Going Alcohol-Free:
By choosing freedom from alcohol, you are choosing yourself, your health and your future with far reaching benefits;
- Improved overall health
- Increased life satisfaction
- Improved cognitive function
- Increased mental clarity and focus
- Ability to better deal with life’s challenges
- Improved productivity, efficiency and effectivity
- Improved sleep
- Heightened energy levels
- Improved relationships
Tips to Adjust To Alcohol-Free Living
- Get clear on how alcohol has been a disservice in different areas of your life; career, finances, health, education, relationship with self and others, and personal development. Make the list as big as you can.
- Get specific, and understand what you want your future to look, feel, and sound like.
- Bust through, reframe and clear the limiting thoughts, beliefs and experiences that have kept you stuck and replace them with new beliefs that are in alignment with the new life you are creating.
- Tell people! It might just be your nearest or dearest, but the more people you tell, the more likely you are to succeed. Let them know specifically how they can support you. Not only will it help you stay accountable but you’re very likely to inspire change in others.
- Set yourself up for success by anticipating ahead of time where, when and with whom, you normally drink. Make a plan on what you will do, say, think and act.
- Expect challenges, expect it to suck at first. Expect others to be uncomfortable and try to twist your arm. Be ok with saying no to a few events in the short-term till you feel more confident.
- Be self-aware, if you slip up, don’t get caught up in shame and self-judgement. Instead get interested and learn from your mistakes and be flexible with finding new approaches.
- Don’t give up on yourself.
And If You Want Some Extra Support…
Our Strategic Mindset Coach and Hypnotherapist Kate Walton is here to support you 1:1 in the clinic and will also be releasing an online program for a limited amount of motivated individuals who are ready to embark on a journey towards a happier and healthier version of themselves.
‘Release & Renew’ is a 4 week online transformative program starting in late January 2025, designed to provide participants with the knowledge, techniques, support and preparation needed to break free from alcohol dependency and embrace a life of balance and vitality.
Program Highlights:
Weekly Zoom Sessions:
Each week we will meet on Zoom (participants have the option to keep their identity private), each session will be recorded and made available for watching later for those that can’t join live.
Winning Mindset Hacks and Techniques:
Learn powerful techniques to bust through those limiting thoughts, navigate challenges, overcome cravings, and build resilience on your journey.
Professional Support:
You’ll have access to Kate, Master Life Coach, Practitioner of Hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time-Line and Matrix Therapies and Tapping. Over the years Kate has supported countless clients to free themselves of unresourceful habits, thinking and behaviour.
Accountability:
Stay on track with accountability measures, including progress check-ins, self-awareness sessions as well as a supportive community dedicated to your success.
Guided Hypnotic Meditation Recordings and Worksheets:
Access powerful MP3 recordings to rewire your subconscious mind, along with practical worksheets to reinforce your commitment and progress.
Private Facebook Support Group:
Connect with like-minded individuals in a private Facebook group, sharing experiences, tips, and encouragement throughout the program.
To book head here.
So go forth, be amazing, be unapologetically more of who you really are. Sip your water, drink your juice, enjoy your tea, your soda, your zero Prosecco / beer and mocktail! Dive deeper into your life, get uncomfortable and open yourself up to deeper, more meaningful conversation with your soul tribe. Become more present, connected, contented, happier, healthier, more successful and abundant 2025! Be the change the world needs.
Cheers to a vibrant, alcohol-free future!
x Kate x
