Halloween’s coming up and it got me thinking about the way we often describe alcohol as a treat.
“It’s been a long day… I’m going to treat myself to some nice wine.”
“Let’s get another bottle, we deserve a treat!”
The language we use around alcohol is really important. When you’re describing booze as a treat, you’re making it sound very special and irresistible.
In this video, I’ll show you what alcohol really is… 👻
Keypoints
What is a treat?
In other areas of life, a treat tends to refer to a high quality experience. For example, going to a fancy restaurant or the luxury of having some time to yourself. Alcohol just cannot be a true treat – it’s a cheap, mass market drug that’s linked to cancer, depression, anxiety, diabetes and even death. Stop “treating” yourself to a hangover.
“I’m going to TRICK myself tonight…”
We should replace the word “treat” with the word “trick” – because that’s exactly what alcohol is. Just think of all the different things we expect alcohol to do: make us happier, more sociable, help us relax, rev up, calm down, be more assertive, creative, braver, or sleepier. No drug can do all those things! It’s all a big trick.
Look after yourself properly
I invite you to treat yourself to a night off from alcohol and its games. Treat yourself to a new book, a long bath, or a date night at your favourite restaurant. Maybe a treat for you is half an hour reading a magazine in peace. Proper treats should take care of you and leave you feeling good. They won’t make you feel like crap afterwards.
Ready to create an alcohol-free life you love? Click here to learn more about my Getting Unstuck course.
20 responses
Kate you are on the ball, our last life drives us to alcohol
I use alcohol to ignore the comments my husband makes to me, some are true , some are blaming me for “everything “ that is wrong with me and our son. I’m here to get control of “my” life again.
Sadly alcohol doesn’t provide a ‘deletion of hurtful comments’ service either. You deserve to have control over your one and only precious life without alcohol holding you back. 🙂
It’s crazy if you think about it and such a common thing to say in society. Some new perfume or make up or a good nights sleep is a treat!
Alcohol tricks us out of quality sleep too – good reminder!
Thank you Kate, very true indeed. We celebrate everything with alcohol because we always thought it was the thing to do. That was my past life. I am alcohol free now for 17 days thanks to your plan. I will celebrate with a nice cup of tea.
Wonderful to hear you’ve ditched the booze for a nice cup of tea Kathleen – my tipple of choice these days! 🙂
Great message Kate. I’ve just done a year without it and I’m not missing it at all. There are great 00 options available now so I don’t find it challenging to be out with friends who are having a few.
Many congratulations Helen – one whole year of alcohol freedom! The alcohol-free drinks market is so good these days, the choice is there for those who want to try a different beverage without the consequences.
Your blogs are so inspiring and are working for me.
Thank you Kate x
So pleased to hear that you’re inspired, you’re very welcome. For more success stories, check out what many previous students of mine have to say: https://thesoberschool.com/success-stories/
When I drank, I got into the habit of saying, “I NEED a drink!!” It was the last thing I really needed. Finally, I learned!
Hey, you’re not alone Debbie – it’s the language around alcohol that needs to change. What you need is proper self care and that’s not found in a bottle!
Hi Kate
After watching/ listening to you on Tuesday 23rd September I wrote a list of why I wanted to give up alcohol and I haven’t had a drop since.
I’m enjoying finding 0% options – my new favourite being Gin & tonic with slices of orange. I also get a sense of achievement putting a green tick on my calendar at the end of each successful day.
So Thank you Kate your words of wisdom inspired and motivated me.
Ruth
I’m so happy to hear you’ve made that switch and found some alcohol-free drinks that continue the ritual minus the consequences! If you ever need a quick pep talk, I have just the tonic you need: https://thesoberschool.com/pep-talk
I don’t know if I want complete sobriety. I like drinking with friends and can control it better in company. What I want to do is to stop drinking alone , at home. I can start around 3, well it is 5 o’clock somewhere I tell myself!!!
I will only have a glass of wine but then the bottle is gone and I may not drink another bottle but sometimes I have a glass out of it.
Being on my own , there is no one to say don’t do it.
I don’t drink every night but once Friday comes it’s the weekend I deserve a drink I tell myself !!! Then feel awful Saturday morning but it doesn’t stop me doing nothing k so I am ok right ? Then I won’t drink tonight now because if the way I feel but as the night draws in I open a bottle just one glass and again it’s the full bottle gone. So on a weekend Friday to Monday I can drink anything g from 3-4 bottles of wine ! Just me on my own as you said in your blog treating myself .
This Halloween I am going out with friends and I know I will drink as I enjoy it in social environments as I said above but o am determined not to drink the rest of the weekend at home on my own as countless weekends before so I will be reading all your aids etc to help me . Thank you
You’re not alone Bev, I’ve worked with thousands of women who drink at home alone for relaxation, company, or to relieve boredom. The thing is, this keeps you in a loop of drink, regret, repeat and nothing changes. Your weekends remain boring and lonely because wine is your so-called friend. My approach is different and I invite you to consider a six week break from drinking, and not think about quitting forever. Here’s an earlier blog I published on that exact subject: https://thesoberschool.com/quit-drinking-forever/
Thank you x
Kate
Thank you
For being you and make everything seem simple and understanding alcohol free now a year and five months
After all this time, alcohol still seems glamorous so trick or treat simples and remember x
Congratulations on your 17 months of freedom from alcohol Athene. Alcohol will continue to be glamourised in society as that is how it is marketed. However, we know the real truth about this toxic mind-altering drug. Check out this blog of mine for a reminder: https://thesoberschool.com/the-dangers-of-alcohol-and-why-we-ignore-them/