Introduction
A little over a year ago, I embarked on a bold new chapter in my life: starting my own company, The NA Beverage Company, a non-alcoholic beverage brand based in San Clemente, CA, as well as curating a sober curious movement. It’s been three years since I chose sobriety, and for anyone who knew me in the past, that fact alone might sound unbelievable.
But how did I get here? Let me take you back to the beginning.
Early Days: The Seeds of a Drinking Habit
I started drinking in high school, despite having been a straight-edge kid who loved skateboarding. As my social circles expanded, I was introduced to the typical temptations—cigarettes, weed, and alcohol. In college, drinking became central to my social life. Late-night parties, tailgates, and weekend binges were all part of the experience. Many of the friendships I formed then revolved around alcohol, and while some of those bonds remain strong today, I can see now how those years normalized drinking for me.
After graduation, my casual drinking progressed. It wasn’t uncommon to have a few beers daily, alongside regular binge-drinking weekends that started on Thursdays. Back then, youth and resilience made hangovers more manageable. I landed a corporate job as a management and technology consultant, where the drinking culture was celebrated in the workplace. Client dinners, happy hours, and airport lounges all became venues for excessive drinking. As I climbed the corporate ladder, my tastes “evolved” from cheap beer to expensive wines and single-malt whiskeys, but my reliance on alcohol remained the same.
Adulting and Alcohol: The Balancing Act
In my 30s, life looked picture-perfect on the outside. I moved to California, got married, and started a family. Yet, alcohol remained a constant companion. A couple of beers each night felt normal, as did the occasional boys’ night out or backyard barbecue where the drinks flowed freely.
Even with kids in the picture, alcohol was embedded in our celebrations. Birthday parties, barbecues, and even casual dinners often included a few too many drinks. Professionally, my drinking simply adapted to fit the setting. Instead of late-night bar crawls, there were fancy dinners with fine wines, paid for on the company’s expense account.
Then came the pandemic, and everything changed.
The Pandemic and a Wake-Up Call
Like many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, I began drinking more at home. We were stuck indoors, and alcohol became a way to cope with the monotony. When the world started reopening, I overcompensated for lost time. Bars, concerts, conferences, and holiday parties were back, and so was my excessive drinking.
In 2021, I found myself on a bender, personal and business trips to New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, you name it. I had a lot of bad moments, but the final turning point came at my company’s holiday party. I was probably the drunkest person in the room, yet again upsetting my wife with my behavior. I ended that year knowing something had to change.
Dry January: The Start of Sobriety
I attempted the Dry January Challenge in 2021, not for the first time, but this time something clicked. My church was doing a month-long fast and I committed to abstaining from alcohol during that period. By the end of the month, I remember trying to drink a beer, but I couldn’t finish it. For the first time, it felt like my body was rejecting alcohol.
A few more moments like that followed—times when I attempted to drink but felt so foggy and unproductive the next day that it just wasn’t worth it. I realized I didn’t want alcohol in my life anymore. I had been a high-functioning alcoholic, chronically drinking to manage stress or fit in socially, for over 20 years. It became clear that sobriety wasn’t just a choice—it was freedom.
Life After Alcohol: A New Perspective
Living without alcohol has been eye-opening. I’ve navigated countless social situations, traditions, and celebrations without it, and I’ve come to see just how deeply ingrained alcohol is in our culture. From casual get-togethers to formal events, it’s everywhere. Looking back, I almost feel like we’ve been conditioned to see alcohol as essential to enjoyment, success, and connection.
Don’t get me wrong—alcohol shaped a lot of who I am, and I’ve had great memories involving it. But at this stage in my life, I’ve found a better way forward. Sobriety has given me clarity, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose. It also inspired me to create The NA Beverage Company, offering the sober curious a way to celebrate without alcohol.
This is my story. It’s about evolution, resilience, and finding meaning in a life that’s no longer clouded by alcohol. If you’re questioning your relationship with drinking, know that you’re not alone—and that change is possible.