You Don’t Have to Give Up Alcohol

…but let’s have a real chat about it.

A while back, I recorded an episode about why I gave up alcohol. And then—true to life—I kind of went back to it. Then I gave it up again. It wasn’t some perfect wellness journey wrapped up in a bow. It was messy, real, and entirely mine.

So if you’re sitting there with a glass of wine in your hand thinking, “Should I stop drinking?”, “Do I drink too much?”, or even “Do I have to stop drinking to be a better human?” — this post is for you.

Let’s take the shame off the table and have a real talk about alcohol, habits, and what works for you.

Why You Drink: It's Not Always What You Think

Let’s start with this: most people don’t drink just because they love the taste of a cheap Moscato. (Though hey, no judgement—I used to love a good Moscato too.)

You might be drinking:

• To unwind after a stressful day

• Because it’s become a routine—pick up the kids, pour the wine

• Due to social pressure—hello Friday drinks, weddings, networking events

• As a way of coping with deeper stuff—grief, trauma, anxiety, loneliness

• Because it’s how you were raised—alcohol was normal, even expected

It’s often not about the drink. It’s about the why behind it. And once you start looking at that, everything changes.

All or Nothing? Nah, There’s a Middle Ground

There’s this unspoken rule that you’re either a drinker or you’re sober. But what if you want something in between? What if you want to be a social drinker who also respects your body’s signals? What if you want to cut back without giving it up forever?

You’re allowed to:

• Drink only on special occasions

• Say “no thanks” without explaining yourself

• Have wine in the house and not touch it

• Take a break and come back to it (or not)

• Choose you—not the rules you’ve absorbed from society or others

Let’s Talk Triggers and Habits

This one hit me hard: I realized I was grabbing a glass of wine every day after school pickup without even thinking about it. That was my moment of whoa.

Habits become automatic until you pause and ask, “Wait… why am I doing this?”

So try this next time:

• Notice your mood when you reach for a drink

• Ask yourself, “What am I trying to feel… or avoid?”

• Consider what else might meet that need (a bath, a walk, a call to a friend)

It’s not about restriction—it’s about conscious choices.

If Someone Else Tells You to Quit... It Usually Doesn’t Work

Whether it’s a doctor, a partner, or your boss—being told to stop drinking rarely sticks unless you want it too.

Even if your health is on the line, if you haven’t figured out the deeper emotional reasons for drinking, quitting might feel impossible.

That’s why therapy can be so powerful—especially if your drinking ties back to childhood trauma, abuse, bullying, or just... life. You don’t need to suffer in silence. There’s help available, without judgment.

 It’s Your Call—No Shame, No Pressure

Here’s the big takeaway:
You don’t have to give up alcohol if you don’t want to.

You can choose to cut back.
You can choose to keep drinking.
You can choose therapy, community, or just quiet reflection.

But whatever you choose—make sure it’s your decision. Not guilt. Not social media pressure. Not diet culture. Just you, showing up for yourself in the best way you know how.

 🎧 Want More? Listen to the Full Episode of The StacyM Show

You Don’t Have to Give Up Alcohol — Click here to listen

Or, if you’re ready to dig a little deeper and get some support,
Book a free 15-minute consult with me here.

You’ve Got Options. You’ve Got Time. You’ve Got This.

And just remember…

“You don’t have to quit drinking to be ‘good’—you just need to know why you’re drinking.”

 

Stacy xx