“My journey from overdrinking almost every day to quitting and living alcohol free has changed me. I’d battled with alcohol since my late twenties, so this had taken a lot of my life. In all those years, I’d lost sight of my real identity and hopefulness for the future. Self-love was nonexistent—moreover, I didn’t trust myself anymore, and sometimes I hated myself for not being able to control my drinking, an addiction that slowly damaged me, my job, and my relationship with my soulmate.
I hit rock bottom after a heartbreaking experience when my husband asked to part ways. He was done with me and my drinking.
That shocked me. I felt I couldn’t continue my alcohol habit; something had to change. I faced my fears, and with determination, I started looking for help. First, I read a book. At that time, I was so ashamed of myself that I didn’t want anybody to know my secret. Reading was something I could do privately, on my own.
I began to heal and reconnect with my true identity. I continued to read self-help books in the evenings, the time I’d previously used to drink the most. I explored new and old interests, like drawing and painting, a hobby that I had once enjoyed but abandoned due to my negative habits. Reading and creating art became strong sources of comfort, self-expression, and a way to connect with and help others. Reconnecting with these passions gave me an intense sense of purpose. I feel more alive now than I have in a long time.
Learning to love myself again was a challenging but central part of my healing. Slowly, I’m letting go of the guilt and shame that I had for so many years while I drank. Drinking affected my self-esteem, worth, and confidence to go after positive goals. Practicing self-compassion allowed me to rebuild my self-love and start being comfortable with the person I am today and who I’m becoming. It’s led to being more hopeful about my future. I keep setting goals for myself as I continue transforming my life in ways that were unimaginable to me before.
Quitting the horrible habit of drinking improved my mental and physical health. I started working out again. Not only is my body getting leaner, but I also feel stronger and calmer. These days, I like to share my story, which proves that change is possible and that even in difficult situations, there’s hope for a happier tomorrow.” —Ruth
Lamberghini-West, A., & Karlen Triplett, P. (2025). Tipsy: A Woman’s Self-Guided Method for Managing Alcohol. US: Aysen Wellness.