The Sunday Sober Stories

Once a daily wine drinker who believed alcohol was the answer to stress, belonging and “coping”, Cindy Johnston’s journey to sobriety began quietly and became life-changing

Cindy Johnston describes herself as what we now call a Grey Area Drinker; someone who drank “normally”, socially, and daily, yet always sensed that alcohol was taking more than it was giving. Wine had become her go-to way to relax, self-soothe and switch off from life, a habit shaped early by wanting to fit in and later reinforced by workplace culture, motherhood and the ever-present pull of “wine o’clock”.

For years, Cindy knew something wasn’t right. Her health was suffering, her mood was low and her body was sending signals she could no longer ignore. When a mysterious facial rash raised the possibility of a serious autoimmune condition, it became the moment she could no longer look away. What began as Dry July turned into a day-by-day decision to keep going and ultimately, a complete transformation.

Now sober since 9 July 2018 and the founder of Soul Sobriety Coaching and Retreats, Cindy shares her honest, empowering journey: the fears she had about stopping, the unexpected joy she found without alcohol and why she believes choosing not to drink is the most radical act of self-care a woman can make. Follow Cindy on Instagram and Facebook.

1. Can you tell us a little about what your relationship with alcohol used to look like?

   I was, what is now known as a Grey Area Drinker (GAD), and drank wine daily from around 5pm to relax, self-soothe and numb out. It was my go-to stress management/coping tool. I started drinking early at around 13 years old to fit in and socialise with high school friends and older siblings. Which then led into wanting to be ‘cool’ and ‘grown up’. Having joined the Navy at 19 in 1980 my drinking continued as a way to fit in as this was just normal and expected. It’s no wonder I developed an alcohol issue! Even after having children, I continued to drink. There was now the ‘mommy wine culture’ to contend with! Alcohol was just part of life and everyone I knew drank, it’s the Australian way after all!

   
   

2. What was your “enough is enough” moment — or did it happen more gradually for you?

   I’d known for a looong time that I needed to reduce my drinking as my weight had significantly increased, I had depression and my body was not well. The turning point however came when I developed an intermittent rash on my face which my doctor thought may have been Lupus. Life changing moment for me. I believe it was the universe showing me that it was time to take action by putting it on my face where I could no longer hide and pretend I didn’t have a problem!

   
   

3. What were your biggest fears about stopping drinking? And did any of them come true?

   How could I live without wine?? How could I socialise? Who was I without alcohol in my life?? How could I fit in with my friends? Confronting the shame I felt about my drinking habit was a huge fear. I was worried about being labelled an ‘alcoholic’.

   
   

4. How did the people around you react when you decided to stop drinking?

   Surprised! I began under the pretext of doing Dry July and told people afterwards that it was for my health (rash on face) and kept going day by day.

   
   

5. What surprised you the most about sobriety — good or bad?

   How good I felt without it in my system once the fog, anxiety, depression started to clear. It had been a very long time since my body had experienced being alcohol-free!

   
   

6. What’s been the most helpful thing in staying sober (tool, mindset, habit, or support)?

   Initially it was ‘playing the tape/movie forward’ And realizing that alcohol was ethanol, the stuff I put in my car as petrol!! Also, sober podcast and quitlit were a daily source of information, education and inspiration! Finding other women on a similar journey for connection was helpful.

   
   

7. Have your social life and relationships changed since becoming alcohol-free? If so, how?

   Yes. I have formed new friendships on a global scale and in 2023, to celebrate my 5-year soberversary, travelled to the UK to meet my sober heroes from across the world, including Janey Lee Grace, Claire Pooley, William Porter and Laura from Club Soda! I no longer feel inclined to go to the social activities I used to and choose events that are more aligned to how I feel now. However, when socialising, I ensure there is a choice of non-alc drinks or take my own. I feel it’s about inclusivity and choice. Living alcohol-free is empowering!

   
   

8. What does self-care look like for you now that you’re not drinking?

   To me self-care is choosing not to drink alcohol! Self-care now looks like choosing the things that nourish me—clarity, calm, rest and rituals that truly support my well-being, including daily movement, meditation, grounding practices, being in nature, healthy food and surrounding myself with uplifting people.

   
   

9. If you could go back and speak to yourself in those early days, what would you say?

   You can do this!! Keep going and set a positive example for your children and other women who, like you, are feeling alone with this insidious, socially accepted, life sucking substance. Be a rebel not a sheep!!!!

   
   

10. What’s one thing you want other women to know about life without alcohol?

    I wish other women knew that life without alcohol isn’t about missing out—it’s about finally feeling present, empowered, and genuinely good from the inside out. JOMO instead of FOMO! As Catherine Gray beautifully describes in her book– The Unexpected JOY of Being Sober!