30 Beers a Day: What Alcohol Really Did to My Body and Mind
Real Stories, Raw Truths
At Sobriety Uncensored, we’re not here to sugarcoat recovery. We’re here to have the tough conversations—because sometimes, it’s hearing someone else’s raw truth that helps us step into our own.
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Chris, who’s a little over a month sober. But don’t mistake that for “just starting.” Chris has lived through decades of binge drinking, trauma, and repeated relapses. What makes this time different? He finally got honest—with himself.
🎧 Click on the Video Link below to hear my full interview with Chris
From Teenage Numbing to 30-Pack Binges
Chris started numbing at just 14 years old, first with weed, later with alcohol and cocaine. By his early twenties, binge drinking had become routine. His drinking wasn’t social—it was survival.
“I didn’t drink it because I enjoyed it. I drank it to forget. And I never forgot anything.”
It wasn’t unusual for him to crush 18 to 30 beers a day, sometimes sneaking hard seltzer into gallon jugs so no one would notice. He lost jobs, relationships, and himself.
There were hospital visits. Vomiting blood. Lying on the couch for weeks. None of it was enough to make him stop—for good.
Why Traditional Recovery Didn’t Stick
Chris tried Alcoholics Anonymous, but couldn’t connect with the “powerless” narrative. It made him feel more trapped than supported.
“I feel like I have the control to stop and make a change.”
He gave SMART Recovery a shot, and that one stuck. No counting days. No comparing rock bottoms. Just people working on themselves and supporting one another without scorekeeping.
For Chris, connection without hierarchy mattered. And so did rebuilding structure on his own terms.
When It Finally Clicked
It wasn’t rehab. It wasn’t hitting rock bottom—although there were plenty of those.
What helped Chris stop this time was a book: Alan Carr’s Quit Drinking Without Willpower
He devoured it in a single sitting.
“The part that says ‘willpower implies you’re depriving yourself of something good’—that changed me. I realized alcohol was never helping me. It was ruining everything.”
That shift in perspective made all the difference. Chris wasn’t giving something up. He was finally taking something back.
Sobriety Isn’t a Finish Line. It’s a Daily Practice.
Since quitting, Chris has rebuilt his life around structure—not punishment. His recovery now includes:
Working out regularly
Reading personal development books
Practicing mindfulness and journaling
Attending SMART Recovery meetings
Each small habit reinforces the choice he made. And he doesn’t need to count days to know he’s on the right path.
“Everything I do—reading, listening, eating well, showing up at work—that’s all part of my sobriety now.”
Healing the Past Without Rewriting It
Chris opens up about a childhood riddled with instability—parental substance abuse, domestic trauma, and emotional neglect.
He’s learning that sobriety also means emotional maturity. That the version of him who started drinking at 14 never got to grow up emotionally.
“When I quit drinking, it was like I finally had to grow up.”
Now, he’s not just sober—he’s showing up. For himself. For others. Without shame.
Letting Go of the Drunk Version of Yourself
One of the hardest parts of recovery, Chris says, is when others refuse to let go of who you used to be.
“My mom still sees me as drunk Chris and nice Chris. But I’m just Chris now.”
People love to hold us to our worst moments. But Chris refuses to live in anyone else’s version of his past.
He’s made peace with it. And he knows that forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness—is non-negotiable if you want to heal.
The First 30 Days of Sobriety: What It Actually Feels Like
Those first few weeks were no vacation. Cravings, doubt, and emotional chaos came in waves.
But Chris stayed the course by stacking small wins.
A positive phone call
A quiet morning without shame
A good night’s sleep
A meaningful conversation
He didn’t chase perfection. He chased peace.
You’re Not Giving Up Anything—You’re Taking It All Back
What sets Chris apart isn’t willpower. It’s mindset.
He finally understood that alcohol never gave him joy—it just postponed pain.
And now, he’s learning that real connection, personal growth, and a sense of purpose were never on the other side of a drink. They were inside him the whole time.
“Everything I do now adds to my sobriety. I finally forgave myself. That’s how I quit.”
Tools and Resources That Helped Chris Stay Sober
If you're starting your own recovery journey, Chris recommends:
Meetings: Try a SMART Recovery meeting online or in-person
Structure: Start with a daily routine, no matter how basic
Support: Connect with people who uplift you, not those who keep you stuck
Grace: Relapse isn’t failure—just feedback
If you're looking for more guidance, tools, or one-on-one coaching, check outThe Sober Strong for structured programs, community, and personal support.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This
If you're on day one, day ten, or day one-hundred, this blog is your reminder: You are not alone.
You don't have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to be honest.
👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching: https://soberstrongcoaching.as.me/
👉More Sober Content: https://www.youtube.com/@Soberstrong
👉Be a guest on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast: https://thesoberstrong.com/sobriety-uncensored-sober-strong
