Christy’s Story: I Quit a Toxic Relationship with Alcohol

By Christy Osborne, Senior Certified Sobriety Coach, Author of Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast, Co-Host and Founder of “But Jesus Drank Wine, and Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck” – a podcast and community.

To the outside world, it appeared I had it all—a loving husband, two children, a popular blog, and even a part-time role as a royal commentator on Sky News. As an American living in London, I often posted glossy photos of myself with a glass of rosé in hand. But behind the scenes, my reality was far from picture-perfect.

I was exhausted. Every evening, I drank wine—sometimes two glasses, sometimes more. I woke up most mornings nursing a hangover, yet no one told me I had a problem. Everywhere I looked, women my age were doing the same—drinking as a treat, to relax, to reward themselves, to have fun, and to connect with partners and friends. Alcohol everywhere was totally normalized.

One morning in March 2020, I woke up with a particularly awful hangover. As I scrolled through my Instagram feed, my life felt increasingly inauthentic. Outwardly, I appeared happy, but inwardly, joy only seemed accessible when alcohol was involved. My family life looked perfect, but my relationship with my husband was strained, and alcohol was becoming a priority over my children. I often chose the sofa and a glass of wine over reading them a bedtime story.

I knew something had to change. But the thought of giving up alcohol terrified me. I couldn’t imagine socializing, going on holiday, attending a party, or even unwinding without a drink. 

I decided to conduct an experiment—to remove alcohol from my life and see what happened. Then, the pandemic hit, and we were literally, locked inside.

Here’s what I learned from my first 40 days of sobriety:

Week 1: The Awakening

The first step was becoming aware that I needed a break. I didn’t declare that I’d never drink again. I simply wanted to see if life would feel better without alcohol.

The first week was tough. Intense cravings hit, but I managed them by playing the tape forward—a tactic I now use with my coaching clients. I asked myself, “What does the full picture look like if I have that glass?”

The tape always ended the same way: one glass would lead to two, then to finishing the bottle. I’d wake up at 3 AM with a pounding headache and spend the next day exhausted. By evening, I’d reach for another drink to undo the hangover, perpetuating a vicious cycle. Recognizing this loop helped me resist.

That first week, my sleep was erratic, but I held on to the hope that good-quality sleep would come.

Fun fact: After just one week without alcohol, your liver begins to heal, and you reduce your risk of cancer. I was shocked to learn that alcohol is a class 1 carcinogen linked to seven types of cancer, including breast cancer.

Week 2: Weathering the Storm

By the second week, I started getting proper sleep. I learned that while alcohol may knock us out, it disrupts the REM sleep our bodies need. Without it, I was finally sleeping through the night without waking up for water or bathroom breaks. I began waking up with more energy.

However, my body was still detoxing. I experienced headaches and felt achy, but I reminded myself that this was part of the healing process. I took extra care of myself—early nights, naps, and mocktails to curb cravings.

Fun fact: After two weeks, your glucose levels stabilize, your cholesterol can drop by 5%, and your cortisol and adrenaline levels begin to balance.