CLONAKILTY entrepreneur Colin Murphy is coming up to his one-year anniversary of quitting the drink, and while the benefits have been huge, he says it’s been one of the hardest things he’s ever done. 

Colin says he wasn’t a big drinker, typically drinking only a few times a month and nearly always socially, but even a few drinks impacted his mental health, making him feel low.

A fitness enthusiast who has completed an Ironman, it had also impacted his performance in the gym. 

‘I had been thinking about it for years, but it was never the right time. There was always a wedding, or a stag or a gig, something, so I kept putting it off. I’ve spent 30 years drinking’. 

‘It all started as a 16 year old in France in 1995 when I was on an exchange. My first night of drinking saw me wake up after sleeping on a table for the night. My last drink was in January this year after a ferocious few days of drinking in Seville. 

‘I wanted to give my body one year off the alcohol, to reset. I just felt ready to burn my bridges with alcohol,’ he said. To stay accountable he took a big step and posted his intentions on his social media, something he regretted a few days later when the cravings kicked in. 

‘I was sorry I didn’t commit to doing it for just a month as I had no idea how hard this was going to be,’ the 46 year old admitted, describing the first six months as ‘torture.’

‘For the first few weeks I continued going out and having alcohol-free beers and soft drinks, but to be honest I felt like a fish out of water. 

So for the next few months I avoided the pub entirely and I think that was a good thing, even though I did feel a little isolated at times,’ he said. 

‘It was really hard because my first thought would be to have a drink after a hard week, or to celebrate, or if I was stressed, and I really missed it. I really had to grit my teeth to get through it but whatever about letting myself down, I didn’t want to leave other people down so I stuck with it.’

His friends tested him initially but once they saw his resolve, they’ve been a huge support. Pretty soon Colin, who runs the West Cork Beard Company,  started to see the benefits. ‘Physically I could see the difference straight away,’ he said. ‘But I thought quitting drinking  would solve all my problems in life and it didn’t. 

‘Life is life, there’ll always be challenges and issues going on so that was an eyeopener but I found I did have greater clarity to deal with things as they came up. Essentially I was going around in circles when I was drinking but now there’s a steady rise in my business, in my physical performance, and in general.’  

Another big plus is that the mornings are hangover free. 

‘Your mind has a cunning way of not remembering the bad times and glorifying the good times, but I used to get awful hangovers that would have me on the couch for an entire day. 

‘The craic would be mighty the night before, but it was never worth the next day’s pain. No one will admit it, but it’s a lot of people’s dirty little secret that causes ongoing pain and anxiety in their life,’ said Colin. 

By month eight, Colin turned a corner and was able to return to socialising in pubs. ‘I get a high from the social side of things now, and not the drinks but I’m probably not the same craic as I used to be and I always know now when to exit.’

Eleven months alcohol-free, he finds himself at a crossroads. 

‘I had done a lot of research into this before starting, none of which spoke about how difficult it would be. Things I read online said I’d feel wonderful after a month, but that wasn’t the case for me which makes me proud for lasting the pace, but life is long and I don’t want to say that I’ll never have a drink again. If I do, it won’t make me feel like a failure,’ he said.  

The ‘sober curious’ movement is getting more popular, and heading into Christmas, a busy time for socialising, would he advise others to quit alcohol? 

‘It all depends on the person. It’s different for everyone. I was the one guy who got messy with drink but I’ve friends who are the same person even after five or six drinks. But what I would say as a first step, try to set yourself a limit and see if you can stick to that,’ he said. 

He’s adamant that he doesn’t want to ‘preach’ to others, but has found it a valuable lesson for himself: ‘I don’t look down on anyone who drinks, but my time off drink has opened my eyes to how I was living my life and I’m grateful for that. I know I’ve choices now.’