Inspiring Women Who Are Rethinking Drinking Volume 4

Meet Alisa

Learn about Alisa’s journey toward rethinking drinking.

Meet Alisa, a mom, part-time dental hygienist, and photographer. Her journey to rethinking drinking was a slow one, it took its time and met Alisa in her life when she was ready for it. Now, she is cognizant of the place alcohol holds in her life, but also practices kindness with herself in her relationship with it. Read more about her inspiring journey below. 

Tell us a bit about yourself — what do you do for a living? What makes you happy?

I’m a 50 year-old mom of a 13 year-old boy. Happily married to the love of my life. I have been a dental hygienist for 26 years and still work part time. As well, I own my own photography business for the last 12 years specializing in newborns, maternity, and family portraits. I love exercise and health and have always been focussed on living a healthy lifestyle. The only fly in the ointment was the alcohol. 

What was the moment you decided to rethink drinking? 

I started to rethink alcohol around the time of my 50th birthday. I thought I would actually investigate and become truly informed on the risks alcohol poses. My younger sister had colon cancer a few years ago and I know numerous friends and acquaintances with breast cancer. I knew there was a possible link there, but ultimately I thought alcohol was fairly benign to my overall physical health in the long run. 

“I love exercise and health and have always been focussed on living a healthy lifestyle. The only fly in the ointment was the alcohol. ”

It’s funny how people seem to appear in your life once you start to explore issues. I had a friend's husband and some family members all openly declare that they had given up drinking, which originally made me feel defensive. I questioned why I was so defensive if I thought alcohol was such a positive attribute in my life. Then I started to question why they gave it up and perhaps I should consider this for my life. Also around this time, I was seeing Sara Kate post all these alcohol-free options and post her journey towards being AF.  

What kind of tools/prompts/books/podcasts did you use to help you on your journey toward rethinking alcohol? Do you still use these tools? 

So I began a journey. I started to read books. I read about five books. In each book I saw parts of myself in some of the authors. I began questioning what control alcohol had in my life and if I was truly invested in living a healthy life, why did I allow this chemical in my body when even sugar was a highly controlled substance for me. I began questioning how I portrayed alcohol in my life to my coming of age son. How would he manage and think about alcohol as he got older?

Throughout this process I never put any pressure on myself to give up alcohol on a certain date. I didn’t even tell myself I had to give it up, I simply committed to embracing and acknowledging what alcohol did in my life and what it may affect. 

By the time I finished This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, I literally had lost my desire for alcohol. I drank probably one to two glasses of wine everyday, and by the time I quit it had already greatly reduced. 

What are some physical benefits you have experienced since rethinking the place alcohol holds in your life? 

“I never put any pressure on myself to give up alcohol on a certain date. I didn’t even tell myself I had to give it up, I simply committed to embracing and acknowledging what alcohol did in my life and what it may affect. ”

For me seeing the improved sleep, not waking in the middle of the night with anxiety and the overall increase in energy was motivating enough. I work out at 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. every morning, which became easier without alcohol in my life. Also, when you skip the post-workday alcohol, you have more energy for things after dinner. I’ve recently taken up roller skating again, and I find so much joy in it. 

How has your life changed since rethinking alcohol? 

So where am I now, nearly a year later? When I was younger, I was very black and white in my thinking. All or nothing. As I’ve aged, I try not to be so definitive, so I may have a glass of wine on a special occasion. I may splash an ounce of wine in a glass of soda, I often use AF beverages or low/alcohol-free options. If I do have the glass, I don’t crave the second one. In fact, I’m reminded why I don’t miss it (it makes me so tired). So my lifestyle is reinforcing my choices without feeling like a religious movement. No one wants to hang out with that person that becomes a zealot. I don’t hide the fact, I don’t necessarily preach it, but if someone asks, I’m honest. For me it was a good choice and I made it based on self reflection and health. If I can inspire someone else like others inspired me, then great.  

“For me it was a good choice and I made it based on self reflection and health. If I can inspire someone else like others inspired me, then great.  ”

What is your top piece of advice that you would give to someone who might want to rethink drinking?

My best advice about alcohol is to be honest with yourself about why you drink, what it does or doesn’t do for you and learn about the adverse long term health effects. Challenge the idea that alcohol is a benign substance in our lives and be patient with yourself. Change takes time. 

About Alisa Arbuckle

Alisa Arbuckle works as a part-time dental hygienist, owns a photography business, is the proud mother to a 13 year-old boy, and a loving wife. Learn more about Alisa here.