Stoke-on-Trent woman sets up social group for sober people
She said she made the decision to quit drinking because she was struggling with her mental health.She drank to cope, which made her mental health worse - causing panic attacks and making her afraid to go outside to socialise with her friends.In May 2024, she decided to cut out booze for 30 days to prove to herself that she could do it.She then extended this for a further 30 days of sobriety, but she has now been sober for more than a year."I realised how good I felt, and I fell in love with that feeling of feeling good."
She said some people trying to stay sober might shy away from environments where there was alcohol, but that she still wanted to maintain her social life."I've tried everything, and I didn't realise just what an impact alcohol was having on my mental, emotional and physical health," she said."We are surrounded everywhere by alcohol, so going alcohol-free you are the minority."People look at you and think there's something wrong because you're not drinking."Her group includes things like coffee mornings and walks, as well as the forthcoming curry night.She said the restaurant would still serve alcohol to other tables, but their table would be an alcohol-free space.Ms Mitchell added it did not matter why people were alcohol-free, anyone would be welcome in the group as long as an alcohol-free life was their goal.
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