Whitney Houston's death made Mary J. Blige quit alcohol.

The "Be Without You" songstress says her close pal's death in February 2012 had such a profound effect on her she began contemplating her own mortality and gave up drinking in a bid to boost her health.

"I was at her funeral [and] being that close to someone you loved so dearly, in a coffin, it freaked me out. It made me realize the importance of my own life. I didn't stop overnight, it was a process. I feel great right now. I have more clarity, more focus, more patience. And I lost weight. When you stop drinking it flies off!"

The 42-year-old star will even abstain from toasting her 10-year anniversary with husband Kendu Isaacs with a glass of champagne next year. "I'll have a glass of ginger ale. Ginger ale and Diet Coke are my drinks," she said.

The "No More Drama" hitmaker, who was hit with a $3.4 million tax lien earlier this year, says there are always obstacles in life, but she has learned to deal with whatever may come her way. "There's always drama, but you have to learn to navigate your way through it. Life is full of trials and tribulations, but I know now how to get out of it. You have to make a decision to say 'no more,'" she explained.