Is Alcohol a Spirit in the Spiritual World?

We all know alcohol is called a “spirit”—but have you ever stopped to wonder why?

The word isn’t just poetic or old-fashioned. It holds weight. Across history, cultures, and spiritual traditions, alcohol has long been seen as more than a drink. It’s an energy. A force. A spirit. And depending on who you ask, it’s not always a friendly one.

The Alchemy of Alcohol

The term “spirit” originally came from ancient alchemists. When they distilled fermented liquid, they called the clear substance that rose up and condensed the “spirit” of the plant. It was the essence, the soul, the most potent part.

But they weren’t just talking chemistry. They believed this vapor had spiritual implications—something you were taking into your body that could influence you, transform you, or even possess you.

Fast forward to now, and the idea still lingers. Because whether you’re sober or drinking, we’ve all seen it:

• The friend who changes completely when they drink.
• The rage that erupts out of nowhere.
• The sorrow that spills out like a flood.
• The blank stare, like no one’s home anymore.

The Spirit That Takes Over

In spiritual terms, alcohol is often seen as a gateway—not to enlightenment, but to chaos.

It’s said to lower your vibration, weaken your energetic field, and open you up to influences you wouldn’t normally let in. Some call them dark energies. Others say it’s just suppressed emotion. But the outcome is often the same: You’re not fully you anymore.

What’s scary is how normalized this is. We laugh it off—“I was so out of it,” or “I don’t even remember what I said.” But if any other substance made us forget who we are and act against our core values, we wouldn’t call that fun. We’d call that possession.

Not Evil, But Not Innocent

This isn’t to say alcohol is inherently evil. It’s a tool. But like any powerful tool, it comes with risk—especially when used unconsciously, habitually, or to escape. And especially when you’re already carrying trauma, anxiety, or emotional pain.

Some spiritual traditions avoid alcohol altogether, not because they’re strict or boring, but because they understand:

Anything that clouds your clarity can cloud your spirit.

So What Happens When You Stop Drinking?

You come back to yourself.

Your mind clears.

Your energy steadies.

You stop inviting chaos.

You stop feeling like someone else is living your life.

You become strong—truly strong, not just “holding it together” strong.

Ready to Reclaim Your Energy?

If this resonates, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I wrote

Sober Not Sorry – a bold, no-bullshit, and deeply validating guide for anyone ready to ditch the spirits and reconnect with their own.

This isn’t about shame or guilt. It’s about power.

It’s about getting clear, getting strong, and unapologetically choosing yourself—every damn day.

Because you don’t need spirits to feel alive.

You just need to come home to yours.