Why I Quit Drinking (and How It Cost Me $13,890—But Gave Me My Life Back)

Ah, Wisconsin. The state that not only loves to drink but prides itself on it. From pub crawls and brewery tours to the bumper stickers that say "Drink Wisconsinbly," alcohol isn’t just a part of the culture—it is the culture.

We’re known for beer, cheese, and friendly neighbors who always offer you something to sip. In fact, according to a 2023 University of Wisconsin study, 10 of the 20 drunkest counties in America are right here in our state. Let that sink in.

Like many in this wildly proud drinking culture, I loved it. The camaraderie. The chaos. The carefree nights filled with shots, laughter, and tequila-fueled dance moves. I was the girl with a wine opener in every bag, one in each car, and one on the boat. You just never know, right?

But here’s what they don’t put on the t-shirts: drinking might not solve all your problems… but it can sure create a whole new set of them.

How It All Crashed (Literally)

I used to romanticize my drinking. It made everything seem funnier, looser, more exciting. I had a million pictures to prove it. But what you won’t see on my highlight reel?

Waking up on my apartment floor in my own vomit.

Missing my niece’s birthday party because I was too hungover to function.

Relationships that ended—or started—for all the wrong reasons.

And worst of all? Rolling my Jeep eight times and not remembering a damn thing.

That was my wake-up call.

That rollover cost me far more than a vehicle. So far, the direct financial cost has hit $13,890. That doesn’t include rising insurance premiums, lost time, emotional tolls, or the stress on my family. And it’s not even fully over yet.

Bottom line? Rock bottom is expensive as hell.

Reason #1: Rock Bottom Sucks

If you're already thinking about quitting, your soul is quietly nudging you toward freedom. That inner voice? That’s your real self trying to tap you on the shoulder and say, "Hey, this ain't it."

But if you ignore that voice long enough? The universe gets louder. It will hand you your decision on a silver platter of regret, pain, and loss. And trust me—it's not a cute look.

You don’t need to wait for your version of a totaled Jeep and a hospital bracelet to get the message. You get to choose today. Before it all hits the fan.

Reason #2: Drinking Blocks Healing

Alcohol numbs. That’s what it’s designed to do. So if you're walking around with unhealed trauma, big emotions, or the ache of disconnection, alcohol offers you the ultimate escape hatch.

But it doesn’t last. And when the buzz fades, your body and soul still need attention. You can’t heal what you keep silencing. Drinking delays the work, makes it messier, and often adds even more pain to the pile.

True healing? That happens in sobriety. In the stillness. In the honest reckoning. And while that might sound terrifying, it’s also where you finally start to breathe again.

Reason #3: You Deserve to Reconnect with the Real You

One of the most beautiful (and underrated) parts of quitting drinking is rediscovering yourself. Your spark. Your actual joy.

When you remove the haze of hangovers and the shame cycle of "why did I do that," you make room for creativity, passion, and peace. You get to spend your money on things that actually light you up instead of fines, court costs, and damage control.

For me, after just four months sober, it was like someone pulled back the curtain. I saw myself more clearly than I had in years. And holy shit—I liked who I saw.

The Ripple Effect: Healing + Income

Sobriety didn't just save my life—it gave me purpose. And that purpose turned into a business. I now help women heal their hearts, reconnect with their bodies, and (if they want) build income streams from home that align with their values.

Getting sober created clarity.

Clarity sparked action.

And that action turned into income that didn’t cost me my peace.

So yeah, drinking cost me over $13,000. But quitting? It gave me everything.