Going alcohol-free was the best gift I could give myself and those around me

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We add alcohol to virtually every event, from minigolf and BYOB pottery classes, to weekend brunches and “wetting the baby’s head”. To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here Little things like better sleep and diet, clearer skin and increased motivation have been a blessing, but the big ones are the positive impact on my professional life and how this change has revolutionised my mental health. I was so resistant to the idea that alcohol was negatively affecting me for so long that I never really considered what I’d be giving myself and those around me by stopping drinking.