Drinking is a way of life for many Aussies.

But just as much as we can enjoy a cold beer or a sparkling champagne on a summer's afternoon, we can loathe the troubles alcohol brings.

When Flip Prior wrote about her experience of giving up the drink for 12 months, you shared your own experiences.

Some of you successfully reduced your intake, while others stopped drinking altogether.

You also shared the hurdles such as peer pressure, the lure of a wine with friends and breaking the habit.

These are your stories.

'Life is just so much better without the booze'

Phil Pearce

The motivation: When Phil's rheumatologist said she was putting him on medication to control a painful arthritic condition, there was a catch: no alcohol. "Putting it bluntly, I loved a drink," Phil says. "I could easily down a nice dry white at a barbecue and continue until the bottle was empty. I could easily demolish a six-pack of pale ale at a snappy lunch. I practically fell in love with G and T's before dinner. In short, I think I drank just the same as most Aussie blokes."

The experience: "Alcohol was to become totally and permanently absent from my routine. I wondered how I'd go. I surprised myself and went without pretty well. There were times that I really, really wanted a drink, like at a family gathering or the like, but my desire to enjoy owning a liver overrode the grog urge."

The outcome: Phil now only drinks water or coffee, and says it makes going out much easier. He saves money and doesn't worry about what he will choose to drink. He's dropped 25 kilograms with no extra exercise and is "healthier at 60 than he was at 40". "Life is just so much better without the booze. I'll never go back."

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'I didn't like not knowing what I'd said or done'

Jessica

The motivation: Following what she described as a "disastrous work function", Jessica (name changed) began re-evaluating her relationship with alcohol. "Although I don't drink every day, I realised that I still had an issue with drinking on social occasions and I didn't like the consequences," she says. "I didn't like having blackouts and not knowing what I'd said or done. I didn't like exposing myself to the mercy of other people, I didn't like the hangovers, and I didn't like repeating the same pattern."

The experience: "So far I've not felt any need to drink. In some cases I deliberately opt to drive to places as that provides a safeguard. I only ever drink to excess when I don't drive."

The outcome: "I don't know how long this 'break' will last or whether it will be absolute, but I think I'd like to carry it for as far as possible. Not only to see if I can manage it, but to also observe the role of alcohol within society more generally."

'Peer pressure has ground me down a little'

Damien Draper

The motivation: Damien has been reducing his alcohol intake for several years. "I decided before Christmas that I would go dry while not officially quitting," he says. "My reason for stopping wasn't 'cause I was a drunk, but because I have a sensitive stomach and the booze irritates it."

The experience: "Boy, wouldn't I love a buck for every drink I've knocked back," he says. "Taunts like 'that's un-Australian', 'just one won't hurt' are the norm. Peer pressure has ground me down a little so it's something I have to deal with. I think the constant having to say 'no' gets to you."

The outcome: "Once I was on the outside looking in I realised the control alcohol holds over us, the money spent, the hangovers and the violence. Everything revolves around it but it's never to blame."

'I used an app to track my savings'

David McGregor

The motivation: David says he was motivated to reduce his drinking by the idea of getting out and cycling in the morning rather than "wasting the whole day sitting inside doing nothing".

The experience: "I now only drink rarely, compared to daily drinking in the past. I used an app to track how much money I was saving which helped."

The outcome: "When I do drink now, even a small amount, I notice my resting heart rate increases about 10 bpm for a day or so. This also motivates me because it shows clear evidence that alcohol isn't healthy, in the same way smoking isn't good for you."

'Losing things hurts, a bit, but losing people hurts forever'

Andrew McDonald

The motivation: Andrew recalls regretful decisions he made "when in the grip of the grape", including some that cost him way too much. "We no longer own a house, having sold it to go into business with a pair of crooks. I am very lucky though, because my wife is still with me. Losing things hurts, a bit, but losing people hurts forever," he says.

The experience: "I gave up alcohol three and a half years ago. Thought about going back once or twice but haven't and unlikely to do so."

The outcome: "I'm now 62 … I really enjoy waking up clear-headed, still got a few bob in my wallet and my wife still likes me. I now have the ability to use more of my time as meaningfully as I choose."

'I was hardly getting a buzz at all'

Laura Huish

The motivation: Drinking in her late 40s, Laura says no matter how much she consumed she was "hardly getting a buzz at all". "I realised I had a problem and I quit," she says.

The experience: Through accessing a combination of resources, Laura says she learnt her mind had been trained to crave booze. An app helped her keep quitting on track.

The outcome: That was 18 months ago. "My life without alcohol is infinitely more rewarding, simple and less expensive. No more deliberating over what to drink, when, who's driving, etcetera. The quiet and slow destruction that alcohol addiction reeks is a very serious matter being experienced by much of our society."

Thank you to everyone who shared their experience with us.