Former Home and Away star Tammin Sursok on what happened when she quit alcohol: ‘I don’t even know where to begin’

 ‘I realised that I was using something that in the moment made me feel better but yet over time was making me feel worse.’

Tammin Sursok’s relationship with alcohol evolved to the point where she chose to embrace sobriety.

The former Home and Away star said that while she never had a “complicated” reliance, she would “count down” to the weekend when she could feel “normal” after drinking.

A year ago, Sursok made the decision to embark on a journey of sobriety, finding a new lease on life and told followers she has felt more joy and happiness.

Sharing an Instagram reel, Sursok showed some of the highlights of the year after the caption, “’You’ve been sober for a year? Life must suck without alcohol’.”

“I don’t even know where to begin, but I’ll try, so here goes!” her caption began.

“If you followed me for a long time, you know that I’ve teetered on the idea of ‘sober curious’ for a long time now.

“My relationship with alcohol hasn’t really been that complicated.

I’ve never felt like I had to have it or that I had an issue but I did feel like in stressful moments and anxious times I would crave a glass of wine to be able to calm down my limbic system.”

The Pretty Little Liars actress said that her relationship with alcohol got to a point where she was “counting down the days” until she could drink on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sursok said that when she would drink on those days she would “feel normal”.

“I realised that I was using something that in the moment made me feel better but yet over time was making me feel worse,” the star reflected.

“Alcohol raises dopamine levels, so for people like me, who struggle with low dopamine, it really helps us feel relaxed, sane and like I said ‘normal’.

“But it didn’t and doesn’t last long.

“What goes up must come down and after drinking any alcohol, dopamine drops dramatically, way lower than it was before, so I’d end up actually feeling way worse than before I had a drink.”

When she contemplated living a sober life, Sursok said she was “afraid”, questioning how she would fit into parties and have fun.

“’How am I going to feel energy and dance? What will everyone think of me?’

“But I can honestly say, not only have I felt more joy, more happiness, more connection but I’ve felt it in such a greater way.

“And nothing beats waking up the next day after having the time of your life, out until 2am, feeling clear-headed, less anxious and remembering everything that happened the night before!”

While Sursok is unsure of what her future relationship with alcohol will be, she said that sobriety “definitely feels like I’m on the right path”.

“If you have any questions or would like to know more about a sober life, please DM me.

Followers congratulated Sursok, with many sharing their own sobriety milestones.

“Congratulations, I’ll have 16 years this month. Best thing I ever did for myself,” one said.

“10 years since I’ve had any alcohol, don’t miss it at all!! Was never a big drinker to begin with,” a second wrote.

“Fantastic work. And the best part of being sober is being 100 per cent present for our kiddos. I have way less brain fog, more energy and lost 13kg. It’s so worth it 🙌❤️,” added another.

“This is exactly what I’ve been trying to say when explaining how I feel after alcohol. You said it so perfectly. Im seriously considering doing the same for the exact same reasons. Thank you!!” a user said.

When she contemplated living a sober life, Sursok said she was “afraid”, questioning how she would fit into parties and have fun.

“’How am I going to feel energy and dance? What will everyone think of me?’

“But I can honestly say, not only have I felt more joy, more happiness, more connection but I’ve felt it in such a greater way.

“And nothing beats waking up the next day after having the time of your life, out until 2am, feeling clear-headed, less anxious and remembering everything that happened the night before!”

While Sursok is unsure of what her future relationship with alcohol will be, she said that sobriety “definitely feels like I’m on the right path”.

“If you have any questions or would like to know more about a sober life, please DM me.

Followers congratulated Sursok, with many sharing their own sobriety milestones.

Congratulations, I’ll have 16 years this month. Best thing I ever did for myself,” one said.

“10 years since I’ve had any alcohol, don’t miss it at all!! Was never a big drinker to begin with,” a second wrote.

“Fantastic work. And the best part of being sober is being 100 per cent present for our kiddos. I have way less brain fog, more energy and lost 13kg. It’s so worth it 🙌❤️,” added another.

“This is exactly what I’ve been trying to say when explaining how I feel after alcohol. You said it so perfectly. Im seriously considering doing the same for the exact same reasons. Thank you!!” a user said.