The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life

by Catherine Gray

Overview

Going sober will make you happier, healthier, wealthier, slimmer and sexier. Despite all of these upsides, it's easier said than done. This inspirational, aspirational and highly relatable narrative champions the benefits of sobriety; combining the author's personal experience, factual reportage, contributions from experts and self-help advice.

Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome! There are millions of us.

Catherine Gray was stuck in a hellish whirligig of Drink, Make horrible decisions, Hangover, Repeat. She had her fair share of 'drunk tank' jail cells and topless-in-a-hot-tub misadventures.

But this book goes beyond the binges and blackouts to deep-dive into uncharted territory: What happens after you quit drinking? This gripping, heart-breaking and witty book takes us down the rabbit-hole of an alternative reality. A life with zero hangovers, through sober weddings, sex, Christmases and breakups.

In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray shines a light on society's drink-pushing and talks to top neuroscientists and psychologists about why we drink, delving into the science behind what it does to our brains and bodies.

Much more than a tale from the netherworld of addicted drinking, this book is about the escape, and why a sober life can be more intoxicating than you ever imagined. Whether you're a hopelessly devoted drinker, merely sober-curious, or you've already ditched the drink, you will love this book.

"An icon of the Quit Lit movement" - Condé Nast Traveller
 
"Brave, witty and brilliantly written" - Marie Claire
 
"Catherine Gray is an exceptional writer. Her exquisitely crafted thoughts on the joys of being sober are not only deeply honest and pragmatic, but she manages to infuse tons of humor. This is a delightful, informative, and compelling read for all those who are sober or seeking sobriety." - Sasha Tozzi, Huffington Post columnist
 
"Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying" - Alice O'Keeffe, Guardian

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912023387
Publisher:	Octopus Books
Publication date:	12/18/2018
Sales rank:	36,361
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Catherine Gray is an award-winning writer and editor. She has worked on staff for magazines such as Cosmopolitan, GLAMOUR and the Sun's Fabulous supplement. She has written as a freelancer for publications like Stylist, Marie Claire, YOU, Women's Health, Grazia, the Guardian, Shortlist, BBC Earth, Emerald Street, Heat and the Daily Mail.

When she's not writing, Catherine can generally be found trying to do crow pose in yoga and failing, watching low-brow TV meant for American teens, chatting up cute dogs in the park, or spending money on holidays when she should be saving it.

Table of Contents

Preface 10

Introduction 12

I The Nightcrawling Netherworld 19

II Learning To Be Sober 59

III Nature, Rather Than Nightclubs 93

IV Being Nicer 113

V Socializing Sober 129

VI The Booze-Free Body And Brain 165

VII Dating And Sex 179

VIII Rolling With The Punches Without Drinking 193

IX Unplugging From The Alcohol Matrix 201

X Boozehounds Debunked 223

XI Choose Your Own Sober Adventure 237

Sources 263

Index 268

Acknowledgements 272