It has come to my realisation that perhaps giving up drinking is more about breaking a habit. I am getting close to 10 months without drinking, and trust me, it is as surprising to me as it may sound to you. Why do we drink daily? Why do we choose to do crazy things when drinking? Perhaps it’s all just a bad habit.
When I first gave up drinking, it was all about creating new healthier routines. Rather than cracking a bevy at 5pm I went out for a walk, or a had a sparkling water or I did something fun to occupy my time and mind. In the early days it was more about keeping busy, having more positive and healthy distractions and changing my habits. Perhaps I wasn’t addicted? Not drinking now for 10 months perhaps proves that I may not have had an addiction, but simply a bad habit. Let’s look at it a little closer.
A habit is defined as:
‘A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.’
“he has an annoying habit of interrupting me” or more aptly “she had an annoying habit of drinking everyday”.
I think most people can agree, that drinking can become a routine, part of our day to day living, a good way to unwind at the end of the day, or relax with our friends at weekends. But what if this habit becomes too habitual? Meaning, what if this habit just is not good for us?
An addiction is defined as:
‘The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity.’
Synonyms include: dependency, craving, habit, weakness, compulsion and enslavement.
So it seems an addiction is closely linked to habitual behaviour, we all know that. But it feels like habits are easier to break than addictions right? So which do you have? A bad habit or an addiction?
We are all learning every day in this crazy thing called life. Everyone faces different but similar challenges as we navigate our lives in idealistic ways. I hope that my writing can bring you joy and encourage you to live a healthy happy life. What are some bad habits you are trying to break? I suggest writing them down and coming up with a good habit to replace the old big bad one. Simples.
Anita xx
“A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.” Desiderius Erasmus
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Published by Anita
I love to write about various topics of personal interest. I love to travel, take photos and aim to write inspiring, entertaining and helpful posts. Follow me on my journey and let's take this wild ride together. View all posts by Anita
Live Your Truth 
Ten months. Well done, Anita! I am closing in on a year, and like you, I’m fairly certain I broke a bad habit. At first I struggled with the need for a label, and eventually I decided it didn’t matter. I feel better without it, and I find it too habit-forming to take it up again. Terrific quote.
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Oh well done!! Yes life is better without it for sure. It is good to know I can stay off it when I want to! Well done for your year too. That is a big achievement. It is easy after awhile though right? Its all about creating better habits! 🙂
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Addiction sound so dreadfull, while on the other side bad habit sounds benign 🙂 … Maybe that`s the greatest difference between them…. To be serious, I think breaking the addiction includes some physical pain, while breaking the habit requires only strong will, and a plan what to do instead of that habit
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Yes good analysis. I think you are very right! Thanks Vlad 😉
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Anita, love your post. After a marriage break up I vowed never to drink by myself. A good decision! Catriona
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Thanks so much! Glad you liked it. Good to hear you created a better habit 😉 or one you feel is better for you. That is all that matters! X
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I used to drink everyday, the equivalent of about 3 bottles of wine. People around me started to say I was an alcoholic… Then I had a medical check-up with blood tests and the doctor said I was on the brink of liver disease. So the last drink I had was on the night before that diagnosis. I just stopped. I felt weird for 3 days and then came out of it. I have no cravings for alcohol and it’s been over a month.
I was a heavy drinker for about 20 years. It was a habit, not an addiction. Once I learned that I was harming my liver, I stopped. I liked drinking alcohol but I like having my liver a lot more. Still, people think I’m an alcoholic. But here’s a big difference between that and a habitual drinker.
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Well done Jack! Wow 3 bottles a day is a lot. Good on you for breaking the habit so quickly. I was the same, I can give it up quickly too and break the habit. Keep on the sober path! Its a good one. Get ready for enlightenment and energy abundance. 🙂
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