It’s now been around 15 months since we first went into lockdown in the UK. During that time, many of the alcohol support helplines have reported huge increases in the number of people reaching out for help. According to research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, nearly 8.5 million adults were drinking at high risk … Continue reading Drinking to forget
Whenever I’m approached for help by someone who is struggling with their drinking, I always ask the same question before anything else – ‘do you suffer withdrawals when you stop?’. If they’re unsure, I go on to ask how much they’ve been drinking and how many days, weeks, months they’ve been drinking at that level. … Continue reading The Truth About Alcohol Withdrawal
Whilst at work on Friday morning, I received a phone call from my GP surgery. They said I could come down and get the Covid vaccine. My immediate response was, “really? Surely it’s not my turn yet? I’m 31”. But deep down I knew there was a chance I would be asked before my age … Continue reading I’ve already had my Covid jab: A stark reminder of the scars left by alcohol addiction
There are lots of tools in my armoury against addiction. Talking, my blog, my routine, my family and exercise to name a few. But recently I have realised that there’s another tool I’ve been using for the last 2 or 3 years. It’s more of a mantra actually. You see, I’ve completely changed my attitude … Continue reading Just say yes
I love Christmas. This will be my fifth sober one in a row. I love the buzz in the air and the way it brings people together. I love the food and the jampacked football schedule. But most of all, I love going for a run on Christmas morning. I think that particular run confirms … Continue reading Don’t bottle things up this Christmas
So, we’re in another lockdown. That means more time and working at home. Last time, some people used lockdown to stop drinking, or to at least cut down. Which is amazing. But according to Alcohol Change UK, a lot of people's drinking increased. And a lot of people were drinking more regularly. It’s a stressful … Continue reading I would have loved a warning like this
Recently, I’ve had a lot of people tell me they have developed an addiction. They’ve realised they have a problem and shared that problem with me. Those actions make those people incredibly brave. It takes enormous courage to accept you have a problem. And it takes even more to tell another person, which is effectively … Continue reading A Deadly Secret
Today marks four whole years sober. Four years since I last let a drop of poison pass through my lips. Four years since I willingly indulged on my own kryptonite. Four years in which I’ve been able to rebuild my life. So today is a great day for me personally. However, I was rudely reminded … Continue reading 4 Years Sober Today – and my insides are still red raw
Social media. Where to begin. Around a month ago, for the first time in my life, social media began to really get under my skin. At times, it was even controlling my mood. I think most people can admit that over the last few months social media has not been the nicest place in the … Continue reading Not so social media
As most of you will know, we are just coming to the end of Mental Health Awareness Week. Now more than ever we need to be supporting one another. Covid-19 has had an extraordinary impact on all of our lives, both physically and mentally. If you are struggling with your mental health, whatever you do, … Continue reading Covid-19, mental health and the power of talking
