Since finally getting sober in 2016, I’ve been driven by a need to make up for lost time. I lost seven years to alcoholism. In my head, that meant that I was seven years behind everyone else my age. I labelled myself an underdog – and that self-evaluation has done me wonders. There is an … Continue reading Goals, alarm bells and recuperation
Most who battle alcohol addiction, or any addiction for that matter, leave a trail of destruction in their wake. A long list of friends and loved one’s who have been hurt is almost guaranteed. Trust will be lost, and relationships will be ripped to pieces. Believe me, I know all to well how it can … Continue reading Nothing is beyond repair
Half a bloody decade! I just want to use this milestone to remind everyone that no matter how bad it gets, there is always a way back. I never thought I’d emerge from the depths of alcoholism. I’m not ashamed to admit that; I was beaten. My health was extremely poor, I had absolutely no … Continue reading 5 Years sober today – I have my life back!
On Thursday 29th July, I presented my first documentary for ITV about rising alcohol harm and what we need to do, as a society, to combat it. This blog is about what I discovered whilst making the programme. You can catch up on the documentary via this link: https://www.itv.com/hub/tonight/1a9757a0116 My addiction to alcohol ripped through … Continue reading Are you drinking too much? Blog for ITV Tonight documentary
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
Recovery Boy 