Over the years, Nic's drinking had become increasingly regular. Working primarily from home, he would start with a beer or G&T around 5 pm, ostensibly to alleviate the day's stress. This would often lead to more drinks and eventually emptying bottles of wine. Weekends saw even heavier consumption, with afternoon pub visits and social gatherings providing more opportunities to drink.

Nic initially rationalised his behaviour, thinking, "But that's just normal isn't it? That's what people do?" He didn't consider himself an alcoholic, as he wasn't hiding vodka bottles or drinking wine upon waking. However, he soon realised the problem lay in his ignorance.

A BBC documentary about alcohol units became the catalyst for change. Nic was shocked to learn about the recommended weekly limit of 14 units. He reflects, "I'd never really thought about what constituted a unit of alcohol or even why it mattered." Upon honest assessment, Nic estimated he was consuming 90 to 100 units per week, a pattern he had maintained for nearly 15 years.

The decision to stop drinking wasn't easy for Nic. He grappled with the fear of missing out, noting, "Everything in my life seemed to revolve around alcohol." However, he ultimately decided to quit, driven by health concerns. "Finally the fear of slowly killing myself became a greater motivator than the fear of missing out on 'fun' through not drinking," he explains.

Nic also acknowledged how alcohol could bring out his worst traits. "I may be a happy drunk to start with but I was certainly capable of being an arsehole," he admits. This realisation further solidified his decision to quit.

Almost a year into sobriety, Nic finds the journey challenging but worthwhile. He faces questioning from others and comments like, "Can't you have just the one?" or "What's wrong with you?" However, he maintains his resolve, stating, "Stopping drinking hasn't stopped me doing anything, in fact it's opened up a much better social life."

Nic's story doesn't involve major trauma or a life-changing event. Instead, it's a tale of overcoming ignorance and making a significant lifestyle change. He concludes by encouraging others who might relate to his experience to consider making a similar change, asserting that "ditching the booze could well be the best decision you make."