Chapter 1: A Close Call with Temptation

Recently, I found myself on the verge of drinking again during the weekend. This experience illuminated how intertwined socializing can be with alcohol, yet it also showed me that it doesn't have to be that way.

Two months into my sobriety experiment, I approach this journey with an open mind. Rather than simply quitting alcohol, I am driven by curiosity about what a year without it would entail. This past weekend, I realized that this journey is becoming increasingly significant to me.

The weather on Saturday was stunning, with clear blue skies and temperatures around 70 degrees—a welcome break from the gloomy winter we've been experiencing. It was an ideal day to take my son to baseball practice and perhaps meet up with my wife at a nearby brewery where other parents might gather.

However, I faced a dilemma: I didn’t want my decision to abstain from alcohol to confine me to my home and stifle my social life, which is already quite limited. Without drinking, I felt my social life might dwindle even further.

Sticking to my decision to stay sober would be the safer option. I tend to be a bit of a recluse, content with spending my time in solitude. I don’t crave alcohol, and there are plenty of activities to keep me engaged at home.

Yet, when I stepped out into the world, everything changed.

So, when my wife asked, somewhat hesitantly, if I wanted to join her after dropping our son off at practice and possibly visit the brewery, I decided to take the plunge. I was curious about what might happen: Would I choose to drink? If I did, could I limit myself to just one?

At that moment, I had a decision to make.

I also devised a plan—one that had an element of risk and uncertainty. Here’s how it unfolded:

First, I intended to check if the brewery offered any non-alcoholic options or stocked them in their coolers. With the rising popularity of non-alcoholic beverages, I wondered if my local brewery would embrace this trend.

Secondly, if they didn’t have any non-alcoholic selections available, I considered asking if I could bring my own. I thought perhaps a tip of $5 might persuade the server to pour it into a glass for me.

Lastly, I contemplated the possibility of having a beer. If all else failed, I might break my protocol and choose something with a lower alcohol content. While this wasn’t my ideal scenario, I was aware of the risk of slipping back into old drinking habits.

Ultimately, I rolled the dice.

As it turned out, the brewery didn’t carry any non-alcoholic beer, much to the server's visible frustration. “We get asked for it all the time,” she explained, adding that she was pushing the manager to include it in their offerings.

“What if I brought my own? Could I give you a tip to pour it for me?” I asked.

“Yes, that's fine! And you don’t need to tip me,” she smiled warmly.

My wife ordered her drink, and I told her I’d join her outside shortly before heading to a nearby grocery store.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a large selection of non-alcoholic options in the cold case—dozens of brands were available, including twelve-packs! It felt like fate was guiding me, and I eagerly grabbed one.

“Going for the non-alcoholic today, huh?” the beer vendor next to me remarked. We struck up a conversation about the options available, and he mentioned that my choice was their best-seller.

This interaction was refreshing; I felt a sense of community surrounding my journey, which I found enjoyable.

Returning to the brewery, the server greeted me with a glass as I walked in. It felt almost cinematic, reminiscent of a scene from “La La Land.” I made my way to my wife in the beer garden and poured myself a cold, non-alcoholic IPA.

The experience was delightful.

I had an amazing time, completely unbothered by the absence of alcohol. In fact, I found I preferred this new way of socializing. I enjoyed all the positives of mingling at the local bar without any of the negative effects of drinking, which I had been increasingly aware of lately.

The following morning, I awoke to a surreal atmosphere, almost like waking in two different realities. There was the sober, refreshed version of myself, and then the ghostly echo of my former self—the hungover, overindulgent me.

I felt grateful, proud, and relieved to find myself in this healthier reality.

Chapter 2: Insights from My Experience

In this video, I share my personal experience after reaching 100 days of sobriety. I discuss the challenges I faced and the lessons I learned along the way.

Chapter 3: Managing Temptations

Here, I outline five effective strategies to combat the urge to drink alcohol again. These tips can help anyone navigating similar challenges.