I quit drinking 5 years ago - here are 6 unexpected ways it changed my life

Because I always opt for $2 Diet Cokes instead of $9 martinis when I go out, I have more cash in my wallet to save — or, let's be real, to spend on the late night pizza that will call my name.

Drinking is expensive. Sure, there are happy hour deals and well drinks if you're tight on money — but even those add up if you're out every weekend. I prefer to put my hard-earned dollars toward vacations or other experiences I'll actually be able to remember the next day.

I can be clumsy and awkward for sure, but I can safely say that I'll never again make a fool out of myself in front of my friends, partner, or perfect strangers because I'm too drunk to remember what appropriate behavior looks like. In turn, other drunk people acting like idiots is a serious pet peeve of mine now.

Because going out isn’t about getting drunk for me, when I spend time with my friends or partner, we do things that help increase our bond and enrich our lives. Whether it’s deep conversations over dinner or taking in a new exhibition at a local art gallery, my time with the people I care about isn’t focused on the quality and the quantity of drinks we can guzzle.

The sad truth is that a lot of “friends” are only that in title rather than deed. For most people, drinking is a social activity which means you need people to do it with. In turn, you end up hanging out with a lot of people that you don’t really care about or may not even like. Not me!

Now that I don’t drink, people know that hanging out with me means they’ll actually have to engage in conversation rather than shouting over loud music on their way to the bar. It’s been amazing for showing me who my real friends are.

Given that alcohol is linked to several different types of cancer as well as other serious health complications, it seems like a no-brainer to give it up in order to live a healthier life. While there's no guarantee that I won't suffer with any of those conditions in the future anyway, I feel good knowing I'm doing what I can to lower my chances.