The Only Excuse You Need to Go Alcohol-Free (And Why It’s Really About You)
- jenny42780
- Nov 27, 2024
- 5 min read
No Excuses to NOT Be Alcohol-Free... Well Except for a Few
It was the end of my "drinking career." It was bleedingly obvious.Something had to change. My marriage was at a breaking point. My Personal Training and Run Coaching business was suffering. I was struggling to be a father while dealing with consistent hangovers. And all those promises to myself and to my wife to curb my bingey behaviour? Well, they seemed to be just hollow. There just weren’t going to be many more times that I could say "I’m done drinking" to myself—or to my wife—before everything would come crashing down. I knew it.
So there are two big things that I firmly believe in:
Actions speak louder than words.
Coaches! I’m a huge fan of coaches! Business coaches, life coaches, mentors—anyone who can teach you something quicker than it took them to learn, use them. Through books, podcasts, or if the situation is right; face-to-face.
With that in mind, I felt therapy was the way to go.
The First Step: Therapy
I remember my first therapy session vividly. The therapist asked me if I was looking to drink in moderation, or if I was considering the “AA method” (which, at the time, I didn’t fully understand meant total abstinence for life). How huge is that?! What a question?! To be honest, the thought of committing to a life without alcohol felt far too huge to even contemplate. So I chose the moderation route—after all, I’d done 30-day stints before, and sometimes even months without any real “problem behavior.” So, how hard could it be? And what was the answer on how to do this successfully?
And on top of that; even if there was an answer, or a strategy that sat well with me, what was I going to tell people? How could I possibly open up about hitting rock bottom? How embarrassing would it be to admit to people that I’d pissed in the corner too many times? Or blacked out repeatedly? Or behaved so poorly causing distress to loved ones. How the hell was I going to navigate that?But the realty was this; this whole thing wasn’t just about quitting drinking—it was about how to save my marriage, keep the job I loved, and become the athlete, husband, father, and man I knew I could be.
That’s when we decided on a “One Year No Beer” Challenge. It seemed to tick all the boxes
The Clever Excuse
Here’s the trick I didn’t see coming, one I look back on now as a clever tool. Maybe the therapist knew this all along, but it worked on me—hook, line, and sinker.
I can’t remember exactly how this fit into the therapy sessions, but I suddenly had a list of "valid excuses"—things I could tell others in my life so I didn’t have to open up about rock-bottom moments, broken relationships, or the embarrassment that came with it all.
And this is my list;
Better Parent This was the easiest excuse to use. As a 35-year-old surrounded by parents of young kids, it was very easy to tell any other parent that I was going “alcohol-free for a bit” because getting hangovers while chasing a 2-year-old around were a nightmare. And honestly? That’s the truth.
Better Husband This one was a little more personal, and it required me to open up a bit to my wife’s friends and family. They knew the real me, and they only wanted what was best for her. Though it was uncomfortable at first, everyone knew this decision was a step in the right direction, and, because of this, the support came pouring in.
My Running Goals I told my running mates and clients that I had big goals in the running world. I was training for some serious personal targets, and I felt quitting alcohol would give me the edge—both in training and on race day. It was a great excuse that made me feel dedicated to my fitness goals and gave me a sense of purpose. Again, no one said anything of it because it made perfect sense.
Boosting Productivity for My Business With other small business owners, I explained how the challenge was improving my focus and productivity. Not drinking helped me keep my passion and drive for my business. I felt sharper and more present and this “excuse” seemed to sit well with these people in my life.
The Surprising Truth: No One Cared
With these excuses in hand, I felt ready for anyone who might question my decision. I went to every function or night out armed with my list of reasons so no one would think I was just some “deadbeat alcoholic.” After all, this was a "challenge." This was a "choice" I was making to go AF. This was something to be proud of, not embarrassed by.
So, months and months of therapy went by, lists of excuses filled my head, so that I didn’t feel like a “loser”, and the transformation began. I was ready for any kick back. But here’s the thing: no one cared. No one cared if I had a beer, a wine, or a water. No one hassled me about it. No one thought anything of it. And the people who might’ve had a problem with it? Well they’re no longer around anyway.
The Real Lesson
The point here is this: When you arm yourself with "valid excuses" to explain your decision to others, all you're really doing is convincing yourself that this new identity is the one you truly want. The truth is, those reasons aren’t for anyone else’s ears. They’re for you. The only person you need to convince is yourself.
Once I stopped worrying about what others thought and focused on why this decision was so important to me, everything changed.
So, If you’re thinking about going alcohol-free or making any big change in your life, take a step back and focus on your “why”—not on how you’ll explain it to others. Make your reasons so personal, so strong, that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Because at the end of the day, the only person who needs to be convinced is you.
Ready to Discover Your "Why"?
If this resonates with you, why not take the first step? Join our 28-Day Alcohol-Free Streak, starting every Monday. It's your chance to focus on what truly matters to you—your health, relationships, goals, and identity—without worrying about what others think.
This isn't about giving anything up; it's about gaining clarity, energy, and a sense of achievement. One day at a time, you'll redefine your relationship with alcohol and discover just how incredible life can feel without it.
This article was written by Adam Keighran, co-founder of Run Naked.
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