06/06/2026
Tʜᴇ Dᴇᴄɪsɪᴏɴ Tʜᴀᴛ Cʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ Mʏ Lɪғᴇ
When I decided to quit alcohol, it seemed like such a difficult thing to do.
Maybe I could stop for a week. A month. Perhaps even six months.
But deep down, I knew that if I gave myself permission to start again one day, I probably would.
So I made a bigger decision.
I decided to stop for good.
At the time, it felt harder. But strangely, once the decision was made, everything became easier and more liberating. After the first few weeks, the battle was over. I never had to keep negotiating with myself again.
Fourteen years later, it remains one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Sure, sometimes I can appreciate the idea of a cold beer on a hot day. But it's never the drink itself that's the problem. It's everything that comes after it.
When I quit, I didn't have the benefit of hypnotherapy. I didn't know anyone who had successfully done it before me. There were no online communities counting sober days.
And that's because I never viewed it as a daily struggle.
I simply don't drink alcohol.
A vegetarian doesn't eat meat.
Someone with a peanut allergy doesn't eat peanuts.
It's not a battle. It's just who they are.
If you're considering giving up alcohol, here are a few things that may help you prepare:
1. Use a Smaller Glass
In the image, both glasses contain exactly the same amount of wine.
Yet the smaller glass appears fuller.
Sometimes your brain is easier to convince than you think.
2. Gradually Reduce Your Intake
If you currently drink a bottle of wine a day, try reducing it to three-quarters of a bottle and stay there for a while.
Once that becomes normal, reduce it again.
You're not denying yourself; you're taking back control.
3. Find Your "Why"
Why do you really want to stop?
Your reason must be stronger than your excuses.
When your "why" is powerful enough, the journey becomes much easier.
4. Change Your Routine
If alcohol is linked to a particular time, place, or activity, break the pattern.
Go for a walk.
Play cards.
Visit a friend.
Create new associations instead of reinforcing old ones.
5. Replace the Ritual
Find a non-alcoholic drink you genuinely enjoy.
Pour it into a nice glass.
Make it feel special.
Often people miss the ritual more than they miss the alcohol.
People often say that when you quit drinking, you miss out.
In my experience, you gain far more than you lose.
Better sleep.
More money.
Better health.
No hangovers.
No worrying about RBTs.
No hiding drinks.
No alcohol controlling your decisions.
And yes... you even avoid the famous purple drinking nose.
If you'd like a conversation about how hypnotherapy can help you remove alcohol's influence from your life, send me a message.
Jason
You don't have to spend the rest of your life trying to control alcohol. You can reach a point where alcohol simply isn't part of who you are anymore.
Local in Lammermoor
[email protected]
CQHypnotherapy.com