I’ve made it!

It’s the end of the challenge, 1 whole month without alcohol…

When embarking on this adventure I was extremely apprehensive, nervous I wouldn’t fit in with friends and scared that I wouldn’t enjoy nights out as much but to be honest the only effects have been positive. I can hear my liver thanking me for giving it a break, my stock of paracetamols is at an all time high as I have not had to use any and my bank balance has drastically improved!

Do I think I will stay alcohol free?

In a word: No.

Enjoying alcohol in moderation is fun, it can relax you, make a good night even better and the effect on my dancing is magical. However drinking to excess and putting yourself in danger is a quick way to ruin your night. I will be more aware of potential risks and ensure that all my friends are safe. I will also limit the amount I drink so that I don’t forget things – being able to remember conversations from nights out is rather fun!

It has been an interesting month and hopefully I will have dispelled the myth that you have to be drunk to have a good night out…I certainly have proved it to myself. Before the challenge I used to shudder with dread at the prospect of going out without drinking but now I don’t think I would give it a second thought!

Thank you for following my journey. I would love to hear your opinions about my ‘Sober Student’ month so feel free to leave a comment.

But for now, ‘Cheers!’

Guest Post: An Interview with a Door Supervisor

We have all seen figures at the entrances of the club, wrapped up in big jackets and surrounded by a group of drunken girls. But is the night of a door supervisor exactly what you think it is?

Well, surely they don’t mind being groped by girls and pinning people down on the floor – they enjoy it don’t they?! No, in reality door supervisors have much more to contend with and deserve more credit than a lot of them given.

I had the chance to interview a door supervisor who has worked the doors for over 8 years. In this time he has seen plenty of sights but is keen to point out that their job isn’t to spoil your night, they are there to keep you safe.

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Carli : Why do you think people drink so much?

Ian: People have been led to think that the key to a good night out is to get legless or completely wasted. So right from the planning stage of the night out people are in the wrong mindset. For me a good night out is having just enough drinks to have a laugh at bad jokes and relax, but not too many so that you have a hangover the day after and so you can’t remember what you did.

Carli: What’s the worst thing you have ever seen?

Ian: Unfortunately there are a lot of things that I would rather have not seen. One really sticks out for me though. A group of girls were so drunk that they left their friend behind in such a state that she wasn’t aware she was about to leave the club with a large group of males with sexual intentions. However when we tried to guide her to a safer option i.e. a taxi she started having a go at us.

Carli: What does a regular night being on the door involve?

Ian: The job for door staff isn’t as simple as people think. It is more about negotiation and prevention than the physical intervention. We are not there to spoil your night contrary to popular belief. We spend time watching body language and the interaction between people as they are approaching. Being a little drunk is not a problem, but when an individual is so drunk they are falling over then this can cause a multitude of problems in a busy club or pub. If the drunk is part of a group then we will talk to their friends and get them to take responsibility for their friend, for example not to leave them alone or get them a drink of water. We don’t get paid extra for getting involved in a fight or using physical force, we only ever use it as a last resort.

Carli: Is being a bouncer as fun as people think?

Ian: People have to remember that we aren’t a judge, so when there is a confrontation or accusations are made we usually ask both sides to either make up or leave. Many people think that we can sort out every problem they have. The more people drink the more attractive they think they are, but it is in fact the opposite. The door staff are there because when there is a large group of people there will always be a minority who spoil it for the whole. If it was purely because of drink then shopping centres and bus stations wouldn’t need security. It is only drinking to excess which seems to remove common sense. The majority of people drink to relax and de-stress but for some it has the opposite effect and they react to things that wouldn’t normally bother them. 

Carli: Can you see the change in people who have drank too much?

Ian: As you will have found out already, it’s cheaper to get drunk than stay sober. There are some people who instead of admitting they have drunk too much or had stronger drinks than they are used to, tell everyone they have been spiked. Trust me, when you see the personality change on someone who has been spiked it’s scary. We have more problems with violence from females than males, which is something which challenges a lot of the preconceptions people have.

Carli: What’s your favourite part of your job?

Ian: I have a good laugh every night I work. People’s excuses as to why they are so drunk are always guaranteed to make me laugh. Some of the better ones I have heard are: ‘I am not drunk, I am dyslexic’ – I believe he meant he was diabetic. Another personal favourite was ‘I am old enough, it tells you my date of birth on Facebook.’ And ‘Yes I am old enough; you can ring my mum and ask!’ It has got to the point in my career when I find drunk people amusing and know that the majority are harmless.

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I have to admit, it is easy to hold a preconception about these people who throw our friends out of clubs, without really thinking what they are responsible for which is our safety. Their job involves a lot more than people think and by speaking with Ian this is something I have realised. Hopefully you have too....

Guest Post: Stephanie Bolton - 'My Sober Lent'

Stephanie Bolton is a Journalism Student at the University of Lincoln and has given up alcohol for Lent....

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I first attempted to give up alcohol for Lent last year. I managed about four and half weeks before I went to a gig and succumbed….

This year, I’m determined not to drink for the whole period. I like the challenge of giving up something for Lent, but I find that giving up alcohol takes much more self-restraint. There’s a lot of peer pressure surrounding drinking on a night out, especially in the student culture, but giving up something that’s so socially acceptable reminds me that I don’t need to drink alcohol to have a good night out.

Standing in a club with a Coke, watching everybody drunkenly stumble to the bar, I feel embarrassed that I am often one of those. But the most worrying thing I find is how walking home sober heightens my sense of awareness. I am much more alert than I am when I’ve been out drinking, which makes me realise what a dangerous situation I often put myself in.

I relish Sunday mornings not spent hungover, being able to remember my night, and I love the fact that I can have a good night out without spending a lot, as non-alcoholic drinks are often much cheaper. I also feel slightly healthier, like I’m giving my body a bit of a detox.

After giving up alcohol last year I’ve found that I now tend to drink less when I go out too. I think it’s a combination of knowing that I can still have a good time, save money, and not waste the next day.

I’m confident that I will last the whole of Lent this year without a drop of alcohol passing my lips.

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I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Stephanie luck! :-) I shall see you on the other side!

St Patrick's Celebration

I did it!

Date: 19th March
Location: Engine Shed, Lincoln.

Carli survived a night out with no drink!

Pre-drinks were relatively easy, I sat sipping Lucozade from a cup and despite the pile of peer pressure that I was subjected to: 'We won't tell anyone' 'No-one will see' I didn't give in! Was I tempted? Yes! Of course I was, the girls were giggling and dancing around in the lounge and kitchen and I was plonked on a chair. I didn't take much persuading into the dancing though and I was strangely more steady on my feet than I would have been had I had a drink.

We headed out to Glasshouse before hitting Engine Shed. And usually I would have joined the girls by having a jug instead I had a lemonade....one boy did walk past and told me to smile more - I am unsure whether this was his attempt at a chat up line or that I did in fact look mardy - so I decided to smile anyway just in case! :-)

I certainly felt the cold more than I would have and I kept yawning - not something that would happen if I had a double vodka and red bull in my system! However I broke through the tiredness and got to Engine Shed at around 11:30pm.

One of the perks of not drinking meant I didn't have to queue for a drink and when I fancied a drink of water I pushed through and asked someone to order one for me - due to it being free they didn't mind getting me one and said it was their 'good deed for the day'.

I have to admit, it wasn't easy not drinking and I did feel like caving in at times - I was very aware of every potential situation and found myself being more conscious of people walking into me and pushing past. It was nice to see people I knew and know that I would remember it in the morning and not have the embarrassment of them telling me they had seen me and me not remembering. I can remember everything!

When I left at 2:45pm I said goodbye to everyone - instead of just toddling home as I usually would - and headed to McDonalds.

One cheeseburger, chips and a Fanta later I was home and in bed.

Sunday arrived quickly and I woke up feeling tired but without the headache and sick feeling I would have had I drank. Whilst everyone else was talking about alcohol sweats and shakes I was OK.

My friend Katie's words have stayed with me: 'I'm really proud of you not drinking tonight'

So am I :-) I can honestly say I had a great night out without the alcohol and would do it again.

13 days down....

I have achieved 13 days and up until last week it wasn't too bad.

On Friday, the sun was shining so it was off to Tower Bar to have a catch up with the girls. Whilst everyone else ordered Kopperbergs I was on blackcurrant squash...

And Sunday morning TV included a section about how to make special St Patricks Day cocktails....

It seems like alcohol is everywhere! It got me thinking however, all of these reference to alcohol are positive ones. None of those situations would involve the police which just shows you don't have to take things too far!

My next big test will be next Saturday when the girls and I head out for the first time since my ban. I'm starting to wonder what I can drink whilst out?! If anyone would like to suggest something feel free to comment below! And no, I don't want to drink water ;-)

BBC Lincolnshire Radio Interview

Here you can find Carli Smith's interview about being a sober student with Rod Whiting on BBC Lincolnshire:

So it seems there are more of us out there.....

Starting off on this 'adventure' at the beginning of March seemed like a lone voyage...

A student that didn't drink, I thought I was alone - However it seems there are more of us out there and it's great to hear from them.

Adrian Burgess, a 3rd year Journalism student at the University of Lincoln, he shares his thoughts on being a 'Sober Student':

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Having a sober night out is an experience I have been familiar with since my first year at university, so operation nova is certainly something I can relate to.

Before I came to University I very rarely drank any alcohol, so when I first arrived in Lincoln I had no real inclination to get drunk. I was more than enthusiastic about going out, I just felt comfortable doing so without the need for alcohol.

I used to find it strange when people asked me how I could go out and not drink and actually have a good time. It was even stranger when they said that they could never do it.

In my opinion, alcohol doesn’t actually enhance your night in any way; it doesn’t give you more confidence and it doesn’t make you have a good time, you just think it does. Getting drunk can be fun, but everyone has the ability to enjoy themselves just as much without it.

Admittedly, this saintly behaviour has slipped considerably throughout my time at university and I have had more than my fair share of drunken episodes. However, I could still quite happily go out stone cold sober and have just as good a night without the influence of alcohol.

I recommend trying it, especially if you know you drink for a bit of Dutch courage just to get on the dance floor or approach the opposite sex. You’ll probably find you have a much more enjoyable night! ;)

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There you have it! Proof that I'm not on my own!

Guest Post

Since embarking on my challenge of not drinking for the whole of March I have encouraged my friends to join me.

Candi, my housemate took on the challenge and has kindly written about her experience:

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Going out sober on a Wednesday night wasn’t something I had anticipated! It was unforeseen circumstances and it was the fault of a whole load of antibiotics that had put me in this position. It was my friend Hannah’s birthday and there was no way I was missing out, so after I geared myself up, dressed myself up and stocked up on red bull for energy I was ready to go!

My flatmate, you all know Carli, told me it couldn’t be a bad thing to experience a night out sober and challenged me to enjoy myself.

I hate to admit it, but she was right! I stuck to Coke in Engine Shed and danced the night away whilst watching my drunken friends fall about in hilarity! Even my sore feet and the ringing in my ears couldn’t deter me from enjoying myself.

The highlight of the whole experience however wasn’t the night itself but the morning after. I bounded out of bed at half 8 and made the most of my day. I had never felt so good after a night out.

It’s not to say I’d make it a regular habit but I am definitely more aware that I don’t need alcohol to enjoy myself on a night out. So if you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go. You might surprise yourself!



Candi enjoying a night out minus alcohol!



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I am always keen for others to join me on my adventure, even if you want to do it for just 1 night. If you would like to guest post for the Operation Nova blog then please email: Operationnova@hotmail.com and I'll be in touch!

The challenge has begun!

Tuesday saw March begin and my challenge is now underway....

I have to admit on Monday night I was slightly apprehensive. I don't think it was the fact I couldn't drink, but more the freedom of being able to do it was taken away. But it's going well! I had my last 'drinking' night out on Saturday with friends and family (which is what I am doing in the picture) and have to admit I don't think I will miss how I felt on Sunday morning!

Enjoying my last cocktail!

I will be out and about in Lincoln soon and I will be looking forward to seeing what it feels like to join my friends on a night out whilst sober.

Keep checking out the blog for updates!

Just a normal Friday night…

Standing barefoot in a custody suite, your personal possessions in a plastic bag, your friends wondering where the hell you are and a suffering from a banging headache is not my idea of a perfect end to a night out…is it yours?

Your night started off like anyone else’s though, doing your hair and having a couple of drinks to get you in the mood for a good night out on the lash.

I was not applying fake tan and preening myself on this occasion. Instead I was in a prison van helping to transport individuals who had been arrested to the custody suite at Lincoln police station which would be their ‘home’ for the night until they had sobered up.

Parked outside a popular club in town I look at the girls in skimpy outfits and wondered why none of them seemed to be wearing jackets? I was chilly and I was in the van! Then I remembered, the queue for the cloakrooms is too long and they would much rather spend the £1 on a drink…I’ve done it myself. As the queue got longer, the shouts got louder as people pushed in and bouncers put them at the back.

Is it a coincidence that it wasn’t until 1-2am that we begun getting busy? The night had started in high spirits with revellers posing with the police having their picture taken, laughing and joking on the street on their way out for a night out with their friends.

The first incident we attended, I was amazed, there was only a cage and piece of plastic in between myself and a ‘prisoner’ and I could feel the nervous giggles building in my stomach. I had seen it all on TV programmes like ‘Cops with Cameras’ but this time I had been picked up and placed in the programme. Towards the end of the night I was swamped with a feeling of disappointment and shame for those involved.

If those who had been arrested were shown their actions I doubt they would do it again and I honestly think they would be surprised and shocked by their actions.

I have come to the conclusion that alcohol acts as a switch. It allows people to believe they are superheroes, who can dance like Beyonce or Usher, they think they can out run 4 members of door staff and a police officer and speak to anyone how they please. It acts like that little devil on your shoulder and seems to make normal people incapable of keeping their mouth shut when it is most important. One gentleman was given a chance, he was dropped at his home address and told to go to bed and sleep it off, instead he ran all the way back into town and was arrested instead. Would he have done the same when he was sober? I doubt it….

Just one decision can make the difference between you spending the night in a cell with nothing but a blanket or spending the night in your bed fast asleep with a big duvet and nothing to worry about but a hangover.

I was told it was a quiet night last night compared with others but I saw some things that will stick with me for a long time. The one image which seems to be stronger than the rest is the one of a girl in a tiny little black dress, eating pizza and linking arms with her ‘boyfriend’ who was handcuffed and about to be thrown into the back of a police van for quite a serious allegation. She seemed to find the situation normal, almost like this happened every Friday night for her. Whilst we drove away with her boyfriend in the back, she was left to go home with nothing but half a pizza to keep her company. Would she look back and think: ‘Oh what a brilliant night out! I am sure my mother will love him’.

By no means am I saying that alcohol is the root of all evil. Everyone enjoys a drink, including myself and like many people I see a night out with friends as a time to let your hair down and enjoy yourself. But some people take it to excess and with no good reason. I know that I certainly wouldn’t see spending the night in a cell as a great end to a night out.

Do you think it is possible to have a good night out without alcohol? We used to do it when we were younger so what’s changed? A bouncy castle and party bags were the only things we wanted at parties! Surely not having a hangover and saving money by not buying drinks can only be positive? We’ll have to wait and see…

What are you doing tonight?

So, it's Friday night...

'What are you doing tonight?' is a question that I am usually asked however my answer isn't always, 'I am out on patrol with Lincolnshire Police...'

However, that's what it was today!

Tonight I get the chance to go out to see just what I try not to on a night out in Lincoln. I shall be joining officers who are part of 'safe in the city' patrols. I am doing a shorter shift than them and starting at 9pm and finishing at 4am.

I have to admit I am nervous! Firstly because I hope I can stay awake and secondly because I usually exist in my own bubble but tonight I am stepping out of it and will be seeing the type of thing I tend to stay away from. However I know I am probably with the safest people to be with and seeing reality will probably make me more aware of the type of thing that could happen on a night out.

When you have had a few drinks, you are unaware of potential situations and think that people staggering down the street into the kebab shop is where their night finishes, which is not always the case.

Signing out for now, but look out for the next blog post to hear my experiences from patrol!

What is Operation Nova?

Operation Nova is an intiative launched by Lincolnshire Police in 2009. There are three strands to the operation:

1) Tackling domestic abuse

2) Tackling alcohol related anti-social behaviour

3) Violence in the night time economy

It is very much looking at preventing the crimes rather than dealing with them when they have happened. And taking a strong stance on those that break the law in each of the areas outlined above.

The campaign in March will be raising awareness within Lincolnshire of legislation that means you could be banned from all licenced premises within the area for up to two years if barred from one.

As a student this is a daunting prospect, for instance, if you are studying a three year degree and are barred from one bar in your first year then you could be spending up to two thirds of your time at University with no where to go on a night out.

So follow my effort to be a sober student...

Join us on Facebook by searching: Operation Nova and following us on Twitter: @OperationNova

Please note - this is not a vehicle of reporting crime.