I went from moderate (weekends, social, never alone) drinking to _zero_ drinking for about five years. This was during peak "social" life of after university and before marriage.
I did the exact same things I used to do except with no alcohol: bars, clubs, parties, whatever.
The toughest thing was realizing how...boring...some of these activities can be. There is, by default, an enormous amount of "down time" at a bar or club or young person's party; down time that people tend to fill by going to the bar for a drink, or sipping on a cocktail, or eventually by being drunk and letting the time pass.
The second toughest thing was realizing how irritating drunk people (and yes, this includes your friends) can be when you're sober.
But I stuck with it, and after a few months I learned different strategies for enjoying a night out--usually revolving around talking to other sober people, or dancing--and my life is much better for it.
Lastly, in my experience i didn't feel the full mental benefits of no alcohol until after about four or six months without a drop.
I did the exact same things I used to do except with no alcohol: bars, clubs, parties, whatever.
The toughest thing was realizing how...boring...some of these activities can be. There is, by default, an enormous amount of "down time" at a bar or club or young person's party; down time that people tend to fill by going to the bar for a drink, or sipping on a cocktail, or eventually by being drunk and letting the time pass.
The second toughest thing was realizing how irritating drunk people (and yes, this includes your friends) can be when you're sober.
But I stuck with it, and after a few months I learned different strategies for enjoying a night out--usually revolving around talking to other sober people, or dancing--and my life is much better for it.
Lastly, in my experience i didn't feel the full mental benefits of no alcohol until after about four or six months without a drop.