Clarity, Energy, and Better Problems: What 1 Year Without Alcohol Has Taught Me
Today, I wake up with a clearer head, sleep more deeply, and no longer reach for ibuprofen just to get through the day. I’m down weight without obsessing, I’m more present in my marriage and faith, and I laugh more with my kids. The constant fog is gone—replaced with focus, discipline, and clarity I never thought possible.
But it didn’t start that way.
How It BeganOn September 13, 2024, at the Phoenix airport, I had my last drink after a business trip. Four days earlier, my wife Amy told me she was quitting and asked me to do it with her.
That was the moment.
For 25 years, I had chased dopamine hits of every kind—sales wins, gym records, applause from big speeches, and yes, alcohol. I told myself it “took the edge off” or made celebrations better. But in reality, it became an escape hatch when stress, burnout, or disappointment piled up.
I thought it was helping. But it wasn’t serving me—or the people I loved.
The Realizations Along the WaySobriety wasn’t easy. The silence left behind was deafening. But in that space, I discovered truths I had buried for decades:
Emotions are waves. If you don’t ride them, they crash into you. For years I shoved down pain, stress, and doubt. Now, I face them head on—talking them out, walking them off, and sitting with them until they pass.The old dopamine loops don’t last. Alcohol, achievements, applause—all of it gave me a temporary hit, but robbed from tomorrow. Replacing those loops with better habits has been transformational.Presence over escape. I’ve learned to lean into the moments that matter most. My faith, my marriage, my three daughters, my parents, my friendships—all of them need me fully there, not half-present and half-numb.Growth over numbness. It’s OK to feel pain, to be bored, to sit with discomfort. I once believed strength was plowing through anything. Now I see real strength is choosing growth over avoidance.The New Habits
Books & Learning. I turned to wisdom from Man’s Search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl), Meditations (Marcus Aurelius), Simon Sinek’s leadership frameworks, and Mark Manson’s raw honesty. These shaped my perspective on resilience, purpose, and meaning.
Music & Podcasts. Where I once drowned out stress, I now use music to inspire and podcasts to challenge my thinking.
Club Soda Obsession. Yes—Cranberry Lime Polar Seltzer tastes almost too good. These small joys became healthier rituals that still deliver dopamine without stealing from tomorrow.
Relationships. Most importantly, I doubled down on the people who matter most: God, Amy, my daughters, my parents, my friends, and myself.
Sobriety has given me better problems—not perfection, but clarity to tackle life with an open heart and steady mind.
And I didn’t get here alone. I could not have done it without Amy. I’ve also been inspired by others who’ve shared their journeys, their struggles, and their wins. Every story reminded me I wasn’t walking this road by myself.
So if you’ve ever wondered: “Should I?” “Could I?” “What if?”
Know this: you’re not alone.
There are always better, healthier ways to chase dopamine—ways that bring lasting clarity, presence, and peace. If you’d benefit from a conversation, message me. No judgment. Just two humans figuring it out together.
What’s one habit you’ve replaced that’s made all the difference in your life?
