420 Reasons WHY I Quit Drinking Alcohol

Diane Gibbs
  • 4.7 (12)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
420 Reasons WHY I Quit Drinking Alcohol

I’m sharing my journey with alcohol and the 420 Reasons WHY I Quit Drinking Alcohol. I’ll share a new story each episode; recollecting, reminiscing, and reliving starting at age 12 until I was 43 yrs old. I'll tell my story, connect the dots and fill in the blanks. I am 12 plus years alcohol-free and love the feeling of the freedom.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Confessional: Dipping into the lady pond

    In this deeply personal episode, I take you back to the early 2000s, sharing a confessional story about a pivotal relationship with a woman who had an undeniable coolness. Together, we navigated the exploration of a friendship, somewhere I had never been before, something I only acted on where alcohol was involved and wrestling with the impact of my drinking habits on our connection. It's a raw and honest look at how alcohol shaped—and ultimately strained—a relationship, paving the way for my journey to sobriety. Through this reflection, I uncover the lessons that guided me toward growth, healing, and a better understanding of myself.

    12 min

  2. DEC 4

    The White Dress Jr /Sr 1985

    In this episode, I reflect on a poignant memory tied to a beautiful white dress. Originally worn to a junior-senior dance, I also wore it for my senior picture. But what should have been a cherished keepsake became a symbol of my struggle with alcohol. While I remember the party before the dance, the events after remain a blackout blur, leaving me with a ripped dress and unanswered questions. This story highlights the pattern alcohol had on my life—a gateway to fun for many, but for me, it often led to blackouts and consequences I couldn’t recall. For years, alcohol had a tight grip on me, distorting my sense of control and self. Today, I am profoundly grateful to have broken free from its hold, embracing a life of clarity, growth, and gratitude.

    14 min

  3. NOV 27

    The Turkey at Thanksgiving

    "The Thanksgiving That Changed My Perspective on Relationships" In this episode, I recount a Thanksgiving when I met someone who seemed full of potential—a man named John Wayne. We clicked, and I imagined a future where either he’d visit me in Chicago or I’d go to California to see him. But a conversation with my therapist shifted everything. She challenged me to reflect: What was I truly expecting from this relationship? Was I settling for less than I deserved? That dialogue became a turning point, helping me realize I wanted more than a surface-level connection—I deserved a partnership rooted in mutual respect and real commitment.

    23 min

  4. NOV 21

    The Walk of Shame - Johnny Ohagan Days

    In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, I reflect on one of my most humbling walks of shame—waking up after a night of drinking at Johnny O’Hagan’s. I had blacked out and found myself in bed with a young Irish guy, filled with shame and uncertainty about how I got there or how I’d get home. It was a painful reminder that alcohol had control over me, not the other way around. I challenge you to ask yourself: do you have control over alcohol, or does alcohol have control over you? If you believe you have control, I challenge you to prove it. Don’t drink for a week, or skip that glass of wine at dinner, after a long day at work, or when you’re out with friends. See for yourself who truly holds the power—because the answer might surprise you.

    19 min

  5. NOV 13

    The Seasons of my Life

    In 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I reflect on the "Seasons of My Life" and how alcohol once defined my youth. I used to believe that fun and fulfillment required drinking—my life, especially in high school, revolved around chasing boys and alcohol. It seemed impossible to do anything without it. But now, 13 years sober, I feel truly free in mind, heart, soul, and body, no longer drawn to the party scene. I find myself asking, "What’s my favorite season of life?" and realize it’s this one—where I feel at peace and complete just as I am.

    32 min

  6. NOV 6

    Walking a mile in 2 minutes in 100 degrees

    This is the one from 1994 when I was out in Arizona visiting my friends and we got invited to her girlfriends house to drink some wine, and WINE we did plus a whole lot more. I specifically told her not to leave me there and make sure I left when she was ready since she had to work the next day. Oh boy, I was in for a real treat when I woke up still there. HELP! I had to get the hell out but how? I needed a ride but my friend was working, shit! Her hubby had to come and get me and found me pacing back on forth a what seemed like a busy 6 lane road at the crack of dawn. I felt like I had been run over and over and over.

    20 min

  7. OCT 30

    FOMO vs JOMO

    In this episode, I share the story of how I moved from FOMO to JOMO. Back in college, I was so eager not to miss out on a party that I lied to get out of my shift at my family’s restaurant—only for it to backfire when my mom, my boss, found out. All that for a night of boozing! Now, I choose differently. I actually prefer not getting invited to those parties, so I don’t have to say no. Letting go hasn’t been easy, but it's better for me. Let them not invite me, let them judge, let them drift away. I’m embracing JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—and finding peace in a life that truly fulfills me. Letting go and letting others live their lives as I do mine has been one of my best choices. XO

    22 min

  8. OCT 23

    Waking Up on the Fire Escape"

    "Welcome to another episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol. Today, I’m going to tell you about the night I woke up on the fire escape—horrified, cold, and locked out of my own apartment, not safe. It was one of those moments that made me question everything about my relationship with alcohol." "It was the middle of the night, and I wasn’t in my bed. I wasn’t even in my apartment. Instead, I woke up on a rusty fire escape outside, still drunk, disoriented, and terrified. I had no idea how I got there. All I knew was that I wasn’t safe, I couldn’t get back inside, and this wasn’t the first time alcohol had put me in danger. But it was a moment that changed things for me." "So I want to ask you something: When you look at your relationship with alcohol, how does it affect your life? Have you ever paused to really think about it?" "I know I did. I tried to list the positive things alcohol contributed to my life, but I couldn’t find five things. Could you?" "Here’s the truth: I never could. For me, alcohol took more than it ever gave. It stole my safety, my peace of mind, and my sense of control. So, if you’re struggling with alcohol, I challenge you to make your own list. Does it really bring value to your life? If so, what are those five positive things?" "Sometimes we try to rationalize our drinking by telling ourselves it helps us relax, have fun, or fit in. But for me, the negatives always outweighed the positives. If you’ve ever felt the same way—whether you’ve woken up somewhere you shouldn’t be, or just regretted a night of drinking—know that you’re not alone."

    14 min
See All (141)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

I’m sharing my journey with alcohol and the 420 Reasons WHY I Quit Drinking Alcohol. I’ll share a new story each episode; recollecting, reminiscing, and reliving starting at age 12 until I was 43 yrs old. I'll tell my story, connect the dots and fill in the blanks. I am 12 plus years alcohol-free and love the feeling of the freedom.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada