Are sober people happier?
That’s one of the top questions being asked online today: Are sober people happier? —and I get why.
I asked myself many times when I was still stuck in the cycle.
Back then, I couldn’t imagine life without alcohol.
Because alcohol was life. Or so I thought.
Now, over 20 weeks sober after 40+ years of drinking, I’ve got a very real answer:
Yes. Sober people can absolutely be happier.
And here are 20 reasons why I’m living proof.
But First, a Bit of My Story
I started drinking when I was 11 years old—in a park before a boys’ club disco in the late ’70s. We nicked our dads’ homebrew or got older kids to buy us cheap continental lager.
That was the beginning.
By 15, I was in pubs.
By 16, I was in nightclubs with a fake ID.
And I didn’t stop for four decades.
I drank through grief, stress, career changes, army life, civilian life, success, failure, depression, and burnout.
I never went to rehab. I never did AA.
Surrender wasn’t in my DNA—I grew up on a council estate and served as a squaddie. I built armour, not confessions.
But one morning, I just said:
“Fk this.”**
And I walked away.
Not into a programme—but into a completely different way of thinking, living, and feeling.
Here’s what I’ve learned since then.
20 Reasons I’m Happier Sober
1. I sleep, not blackout.
Real, restorative, clean sleep. No waking up in shame or confusion.
2. I’ve lost over 2.5 stone.
No late-night binges. No poison in my system. Just clean fuel and real hunger cues.
3. My skin looks alive.
No more greyness, bloating, or bags. I look like someone who gives a damn again.
4. I have energy—and it’s not artificial.
No caffeine crashes. No hangover survival. Just clarity.
5. I hear the dawn chorus—and it moves me.
The birds I used to curse now remind me I’m still here, and alive.
6. My liver, cholesterol, and blood sugar are all normal now.
I was prediabetic. My liver enzymes were off. Not anymore.
7. I wake up proud.
Not ashamed. Not guessing. Proud.
8. I go to bed in my bed.
Not the sofa. Not the floor. Not wherever I landed.
9. Cold water and nature are now my therapy.
The river heals what the bottle numbed.
10. I eat like someone who respects their body.
No more takeaway regret. No more eating crap to soak up booze.
11. I laugh with people, not at people.
And I actually remember it the next day.
12. I use my days—I don’t lose them.
Sundays used to be recovery missions. Now they’re filled with purpose.
13. I don’t just cope—I process.
Sobriety gave me tools. Alcohol gave me avoidance.
14. I’m not the joke at the pub anymore.
I’m the one people now come to for answers.
15. Not everyone supports me, and that’s a good thing.
Sobriety triggers the hell out of some people. That’s their work, not mine.
16. My music sounds better.
It hits deeper when your brain’s not numbed out.
17. I don’t apologise for things I don’t remember anymore.
Because now, I remember. All of it.
18. I’m not scared to be alone with my thoughts.
They don’t chase me—they guide me now.
19. I’m not counting the minutes until 5 p.m.
Because “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” is no longer a joke I live by.
20. I’m building something real.
This blog. My sobriety community. My coaching. My life.
So… Are Sober People Happier?
If you’re still Googling that question late at night, hungover, or wondering if it’s even worth trying, this is your sign.
Yes. Sobriety can make you happier.
Not because everything becomes perfect, but because you finally stop pretending.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Hit Rock Bottom
I never did.
There were dark nights. I even planned my exit once or twice.
But I never hit a “bottom.”
Just a moment of clarity. A decision.
A quiet, solid “I’ve had enough.”
And that’s all it takes.
Save This Post
Save this post for the days you ask, “Is it worth it?”
Come back. Reread it.
Then remind yourself—you’re not giving something up.
You’re getting your f*ing life back.
