“Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not compulsory.”

There is no greater feeling that adhering to a goal, no matter the challenge. Today is a significant landmark in my, ‘dry’ journey. I am proud to be celebrating both Canada Day, 2024, and 300 days of sobriety. I choose sobriety and I am not an alcoholic. I choose sobriety in support of others living through the devastating personal, social, and health consequences of consuming alcohol. In today’s episode, I share what has improved and how I manage the periodic pull to re-introduce alcohol back into my life. I celebrate my first Canada Day alcohol free (#normalizesobriety).

FMP 87 – 300 Days Sober

1. What We Do:
   
   • Behavioural Medicine and Health Psychology
     
   • Providing easily accessible content designed to help you design your own transformative experience.
     
   
   
2. Today:
   
   • It’s Canada Day, 2023, and I am celebrating 300 days sober from alcohol as someone who is not an alcoholic.
     
   
   
3. How to Listen:
   
   • Can find this episode on podcast apps such as iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, etc.
     
   • Can watch on YouTube soon after each episode drop.
     
   
   
4. Want to be a Guest?
   

• Email our team at podcast@findingmypsych.com
  

Celebrating Sobriety

1. My Sober Journey
   
   • Stopped drinking last September to support my husband.
     
   • My pattern of alcohol use over the years.
     
   • The temptation remains there, likely because I have suffered very little consequence for my drinking in the past.
     
   
   
2. What’s Changed in 300 Days?
   
   • Life feels much more “even”.
     
   • No more “work hard – play hard” approach to life.
     
   • My mind just feels more clear.
     
   • My focus on health has gone even deeper.
     
   • I’m asking myself more about what is important in life. I feel like my career has been on an upward trajectory when I am unsure if up-up-up is what I want. There is so much more to life.
     
   
   
3. Is Sobriety Boring?
   
   • This time last year, I would have been out at Golden Spike Days having drinks. I would have felt less wealthy and more ill the following day with guilt due to lost time.
     
   
   
4. Why You Should Attempt a Dry Stretch
   
   • Health – All cause mortality research and rates of cancer (UBC Study).
     
   • Attempt 30 days and see how you feel?
     
   • AA is not compulsory.
     
   • Dry periods are not an admission you have a substance use problem.
     
   • You will have so much more time to do things that make you feel good.
     
   
   

Staying Connected Connect With Finding My Psych

1. podcast@findingmypsych.com
   
2. YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
   
3. Alcohol Free Check-In
   
4. Regular Livestreams on YouTube