Giving up booze for good helped one woman change her life for the better

The 32-year-old had begun to rely on booze to help her feel good about herself - but pouring herself a glass of vodka before lunchtime one day was the catalyst to a new life of sobriety.

Now she’s eight months sober and hoping to inspire others to “wave goodbye to that manipulative friend that is alcohol”.

Charlotte, from Lytham, said: “Alcohol had always been there to give me that false sense of confidence.

“If I didn’t drink, I thought that I would have no friends.

“I spent so much time burying myself beneath alcohol, I lost view of who I really was.

“Like it has for many, lockdown took its toll on me and my anxiety was worse than ever.

“With a lack of routine, work and the gym, drinking became more and more of a regular thing for me.

“Then one day I woke up from a long night of partying with friends, I was hungover and suffering.

“Without thinking I poured myself a vodka, it wasn’t even lunchtime. I cried because I didn’t want to do it but I didn’t have a choice, I was powerless.

“I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up again.

“It was then I knew I had to do something about it.”

Charlotte explained she had tried to quit alcohol before, but had never managed to stay sober for long.

This time she decided to go to Delamere Rehab in Cheshire, and says she feels “better mentally and physically than ever before”.

She added: “I was scared, nervous and full of fear.

“How could I have ended up in this place? I have had a very fortunate life and have the best family.

“I felt I was the biggest disappointment to my family and friends.

“But that’s all changed; eight months on and I am so proud by how far I’ve come.

“I don’t need to drink anymore, and hearing from my friends that they preferred me when I wasn’t drinking became a driving force.

“I had no idea how completely life changing this time would be for me.”

Charlotte, who is an energy analyst for her family’s business On Power Business Energy, set up an Instagram account - @nowimlivingthedrylife - to document her sober journey.

She is also an ambassador for Bee Sober, a non-profit community organisation that supports people who choose not to drink alcohol.

“If anyone else is debating whether or not they have a problem with alcohol, the fact you’re even questioning this suggests you probably do.

“There is so much peace and happiness waiting when you finally decide to wave goodbye to the false, manipulative friend that is alcohol,” she added.

A Bee Sober spokesman said: “Having ambassadors is such an important part of Bee Sober.

“We are so grateful to be able to work with such inspirational people like Charlotte who not only have changed their own lives but are inspiring others to do the same.”

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