I gave it up a month ago after drinking heavy every day for years, near the end I was waking up at 4 in the morning and having a drink just so I could sleep till morning, I would get up a little early and have a stiff drink then wait an hour and a half so I could drive to work and not be impaired . the last two hours of my work I would feel really bad withdrawls would come on after only about 7 hours without booze. Got so ridiculous I had to quit and needed medical help to do it. It was awful the first few days I was halicinating and shaking even with medications. Feel so much better now never going to go back.
This is a fantastic interview. I can relate with so many things. I am 8 months clear now that after 30+ years of heavy drinking/alcoholism. I hit well over 15 units a day (average thats with days off) well over 20 years a go but thought my life was great. It progressed and I hit the jumping off point and went to AA and it's completely changed my life. I've come to realise how bad my life really was and how obsessed I was with alcohol and just how bad my health was. Thank you for sharing this it helps with my recovery.
Please pray for me I've been an alcoholic all my life im 42 and want to be free from this addiction I've hit rock bottom many times I feel so much Shame towards my addiction
If you oh i have 4 decades of sobriety,ok stop drinking alcohol,its bad shit for you,truth,the most i can say is good luck on stopping,1)pour out and get rid of alcohol all the stashes all of it gone.2)dont drink alcohol,drink glases of water,juices,milk if tolerable,good fluids,you have to have your mind in it for real,good luck,maybe ck out a out patient program if you are in too deep in alkoholism
Yeah, I can really relate to most of this. Im an recovering alcoholic from Germany. Great Channel. Was sober for 2 years and relapsed three times. Always thought I hit rock bottom the previous time but it got worse. I`ve now been sober again for a year. Hopefully finally sober. You never know but maybe I had to go through my relapses to finally realize there is no way back to the "good old" days at the university where alcohol was so much fun and romantic. Sometimess when I look at my friends who never went over the top and still can have a drink to this day I regret I never listened to my body that was screaming at me for years to stop or to take a foot of the gas. "Hair of the dog" called in Germany "Konterbier" was really the beginning of the downfall. At first it was funny to have a drink or two in the morning but slowly but surely it turned from something funny and cool into something horrible I had to do. I think the difference between quit smoking and drinking is the social aspect. Yeah you can have a cigarette between two meetings after lunch but you dont call a friend and ask him: Hey Buddy, wanna go out next Saturday and have some cigarettes? In Germany we also got a great drinking culture and wherever and whenever you go to a public event or birthday party or whatever it is you have to face your demons everywhere. So everybody who is in recovery has my deepest respect. Its tough. Great interview, it really helped me to see how u both succecful men dealing your life so braverly and succecful in recovery. Big inspiration. Thanks alot!
Thank you for sharing this so openly. Your journey really highlights the challenges so many of us face in recovery, especially with that pull toward what we used to see as “good times.” It's inspiring to hear you’re moving forward after those relapses, and you’re absolutely right-recovery is about learning as we go, and sometimes those setbacks become part of what ultimately helps us stay on course. You're not alone in feeling the impact of a strong drinking culture. Facing those triggers everywhere can be so tough, and yet you’re showing up for yourself every day. That takes real strength. Keep pushing forward, and know your story and resilience are an inspiration to many others here too. Thanks for being part of this community.
I've been in that black hole you described. It's so helpful to a lot of us to listen to self-knowledge telling so couragesly about one's own experience. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤
I grew up with a functioning alcoholic father, who was a successful engineer. When not at work he was drinking, to blackout. I hated it, it ruined our childhoods. He retired and was at the point of drinking himself to death. He went into psychiatric hospital (on nhs in the days they took you as an inpatient) he had alcoholic psychoses and would experience delirium tremens if he went without drinking and have full blown non stop seizures. He was treated and went through detox and was discharged after 2 months and never touched a single drop again to the day before died. Hair of the dog, means you are basically an alcoholic as you are drinking to stop the withdrawals and are constantly drunk or constantly intoxicated - you then as he says are trapped in addiction. If you are drinking because you're are dependent on alcohol people around you know you are an alcoholic they just don't tell you that they know. If you are able to construct your day around drinking or not being able to not drink - you're probably in a social/career role where there is more reluctance to call it out, particularly if you don't mess up say at work. It's a lot easier to call out and sack the guy who passes out at his desk or is abusive or has numerous sick days and absences. Also people just can't be bothered if it's not close friends or family it's too much hassle. I avoid heavy drinkers and alcoholics like the plague and growing up with one I can spot them a mile off. In the UK it's incredibly easy to be alcohol dependant and carry on, it is everywhere. Pubs, bars, hotels, sports clubs, gyms, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, most shops sell it, social events are defined by it, drinking after work and at the weekend is a national pastime. Go to a kids party and you get offered a drink, even a church event will have drinks on offer. Some careers are geared around drinking, journalism, creative jobs, pr, events hospitality and drinking is normalised.
Yes, drinking in the morning is the crucial step if you want to experience withdrawal, DT's, hallucinations. I never had any of those complications but after 3 days of drinking nonstop it used to take me 5 days to recover completely.
R u guys twins? 7 wks 23 hrs, no beers. Best thing i ever did. Andrew Huberman about alcohol messing up ur gut reslly made me think. Turns out most health problems can be avoided somewhat by not drinking
Yeah I had "normal" alcoholic binge behavior for years, and often wondered how people could drink 2 days in a row, said I could never do it. Until I did. Then it was every waking moment. Some days just waking up to drink a little, sleep a few more hours, then start again. Won't bore with my whole story but living like that becomes Hell. 6 years next month.
It makes no sense to run a pub knowing the damage it does, and knowing that the majority of the revenue you get from the pub comes from problem drinkers. I am actually disgusted by this man
I completely understand where you’re coming from, and your concern for the potential harm caused by alcohol is valid. It's a complex issue that affects many people in profound ways. However, I believe that someone who has struggled with alcohol and is now in recovery might be in a unique position to run a pub more responsibly and with greater empathy. Their personal experience could help them create a more supportive and aware environment for others, especially those who might be at risk. Knowing Rupert, this will be exactly his intentions as his heart is absolutely in the right place. Is your comment more about wanting alcohol to be banned outright? I can understand your desire for this but won't this just lead to the conditions we saw during prohibition in America?
@@OliverMason1 I get this. Thanks but if it was any other drug, can you imagine someone who was addicted to heroin saying that he just set up an online shop selling heroin. Only with alcohol do we make the excuse. He's profiting off a drug. That's as simple as it gets. It reminds me of Gus Fring in breaking bad, he doesnt partake in snorting meth, he just sells it. Does that make sense ethically, of course not.
To anyone reading this who's only just quit or thinking of quitting, that bit about the stigma of being seen as a 'fuck up' for needing to quit will pass fairly quickly. It's uncomfortable telling people at first but it definitely gets easy after a short while.
If we drink a highly addictive drug every day it’s not hard to work out that we become addicted but the forget to put this in there bull shit alcohol advertising 😥😥😥😥😥😥
Joining in from Australia. I have been mostly alcohol free for a couple of years, with two occasions this year when I drank. Didn't enjoy it at all. I'm done. I used to drink very heavily in my 20s and 30s. What a waste of time that was. My mental health was destroyed, I struggled with everything in my life. I'm so healthy, anxiety free and happy now. Alcohol sucks
@@Umk-p8k wow, congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story with us and we wish you continued health & happiness. When I was drinking I had panic disorder and I've not had 1 in last 9 years I've been sober. Hope to see you here again ❤️
@@OliverMason1 it took me 20 years to realise, that what I thought was helping me with anxiety, was actually the main contributor to it. I used to feel almost paralyzed with fear on days after heavy binge. So I would drink...and the cycle would continue.. years of counselling, antianxiety drugs and everything else possible, nothing worked. I quit drinking and within weeks my anxiety started to subside. I watched the video where you talked about your personal journey and one of your rock bottoms. I relate so much. That sense of being in an abyss of sadness and self loathing, knowing that yet again you disappointed loved ones and yourself. So much suffering. I don't think people who didn't experience addiction can really understand the depth of that pain and feeling of hopelessness. Thank you for sharing and for creating this channel. It helps so much.
@@Umk-p8k Thank you for taking the time to share your story. It’s great to hear how you’ve recognized the patterns contributing to your anxiety and made the brave move to quit drinking. That cycle of fear, sadness, and self-loathing you describe is all too familiar for many who’ve struggled with addiction, and your ability to break through that is truly inspiring. It’s so rewarding to know that my content has resonated with you and been a source of support. Sharing these personal journeys is never easy, but it’s in moments like these-where stories connect-that real healing happens. Keep going, Kasia! You’ve already taken some of the hardest steps, and your strength shines through. Thank you again for your kind words and for being part of this community. Take care and wishing you all the best, Oliver 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching! Please drop us a comment ❤
@@OliverMason1 Great interview. Thanks for sharing.
@@Stevo_UA-cam thank you 🙏🏻❤️
I am alcohol free for four months. I agree with everything you said!❤
I was a functioning alcoholic for years, it was exhausting . I’ve now been sober for 32 years 🙏🏻
Congratulations - I've recently turned 9 years ❤
Well done, very insightful, thank you, one year sober here. Binged watched recovery videos. Now it’s diet, exercise, art, and music,
Huge thanks for this comment and I wish you all the best with your recovery ❤
I gave it up a month ago after drinking heavy every day for years, near the end I was waking up at 4 in the morning and having a drink just so I could sleep till morning, I would get up a little early and have a stiff drink then wait an hour and a half so I could drive to work and not be impaired . the last two hours of my work I would feel really bad withdrawls would come on after only about 7 hours without booze. Got so ridiculous I had to quit and needed medical help to do it. It was awful the first few days I was halicinating and shaking even with medications. Feel so much better now never going to go back.
This is a fantastic interview. I can relate with so many things. I am 8 months clear now that after 30+ years of heavy drinking/alcoholism. I hit well over 15 units a day (average thats with days off) well over 20 years a go but thought my life was great. It progressed and I hit the jumping off point and went to AA and it's completely changed my life. I've come to realise how bad my life really was and how obsessed I was with alcohol and just how bad my health was. Thank you for sharing this it helps with my recovery.
@@ewanbauld607 thank you so much for your lovely comment and congratulations on your recovery and cheers to your ongoing success ❤️
Please pray for me I've been an alcoholic all my life im 42 and want to be free from this addiction I've hit rock bottom many times I feel so much Shame towards my addiction
Prayers sent up for you.🙏
Praying for you 🙏
Dont give up. The road to sobriety is a journey.
Praying for you
If you oh i have 4 decades of sobriety,ok stop drinking alcohol,its bad shit for you,truth,the most i can say is good luck on stopping,1)pour out and get rid of alcohol all the stashes all of it gone.2)dont drink alcohol,drink glases of water,juices,milk if tolerable,good fluids,you have to have your mind in it for real,good luck,maybe ck out a out patient program if you are in too deep in alkoholism
Thanks for this awesome interview… This is wonderful insight into the mind of a human struggling with alcohol. 🙏🏻
Yeah, I can really relate to most of this. Im an recovering alcoholic from Germany. Great Channel. Was sober for 2 years and relapsed three times. Always thought I hit rock bottom the previous time but it got worse. I`ve now been sober again for a year. Hopefully finally sober. You never know but maybe I had to go through my relapses to finally realize there is no way back to the "good old" days at the university where alcohol was so much fun and romantic. Sometimess when I look at my friends who never went over the top and still can have a drink to this day I regret I never listened to my body that was screaming at me for years to stop or to take a foot of the gas.
"Hair of the dog" called in Germany "Konterbier" was really the beginning of the downfall. At first it was funny to have a drink or two in the morning but slowly but surely it turned from something funny and cool into something horrible I had to do. I think the difference between quit smoking and drinking is the social aspect. Yeah you can have a cigarette between two meetings after lunch but you dont call a friend and ask him: Hey Buddy, wanna go out next Saturday and have some cigarettes? In Germany we also got a great drinking culture and wherever and whenever you go to a public event or birthday party or whatever it is you have to face your demons everywhere. So everybody who is in recovery has my deepest respect. Its tough. Great interview, it really helped me to see how u both succecful men dealing your life so braverly and succecful in recovery. Big inspiration. Thanks alot!
Thank you for sharing this so openly. Your journey really highlights the challenges so many of us face in recovery, especially with that pull toward what we used to see as “good times.” It's inspiring to hear you’re moving forward after those relapses, and you’re absolutely right-recovery is about learning as we go, and sometimes those setbacks become part of what ultimately helps us stay on course.
You're not alone in feeling the impact of a strong drinking culture. Facing those triggers everywhere can be so tough, and yet you’re showing up for yourself every day. That takes real strength. Keep pushing forward, and know your story and resilience are an inspiration to many others here too. Thanks for being part of this community.
Thanks, Rupert, for saying it's never just about having a good time. I believe this is one of the places that it hides. Therapy will help a lot.
This was very enjoyable and interesting. Thank you for sharing
@@jennifermoffitt7294 thanks for joining us - hope to see you here again ❤️
I've been in that black hole you described. It's so helpful to a lot of us to listen to self-knowledge telling so couragesly about one's own experience. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤
Excellent and informative. Thank you. Subbed. 💌
@@moirahill6397 welcome ❤️ Thanks for the kind words.
Each step of your journey along the downward path of drinking resonates with me as do the positive revelations in sobriety. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for sharing - keep rocking ❤️👊🏻
14-18 units a day, with a can being about 2 units, is a scary thought for organ damage. Great listen 👍
@@je5323 thanks for your comment good luck ❤️
Dinner parties!! My dad left me his bike clips when he passed away..sober 34 years best time of my life with help of others
Very well told story
@@barry5138 thank you for watching ❤️
Canadian here. I feel for u as far as the apparent pressure to drink. I only remember it as a way to eliminare the awkwardness
I grew up with a functioning alcoholic father, who was a successful engineer. When not at work he was drinking, to blackout. I hated it, it ruined our childhoods. He retired and was at the point of drinking himself to death. He went into psychiatric hospital (on nhs in the days they took you as an inpatient) he had alcoholic psychoses and would experience delirium tremens if he went without drinking and have full blown non stop seizures. He was treated and went through detox and was discharged after 2 months and never touched a single drop again to the day before died.
Hair of the dog, means you are basically an alcoholic as you are drinking to stop the withdrawals and are constantly drunk or constantly intoxicated - you then as he says are trapped in addiction.
If you are drinking because you're are dependent on alcohol people around you know you are an alcoholic they just don't tell you that they know. If you are able to construct your day around drinking or not being able to not drink - you're probably in a social/career role where there is more reluctance to call it out, particularly if you don't mess up say at work. It's a lot easier to call out and sack the guy who passes out at his desk or is abusive or has numerous sick days and absences. Also people just can't be bothered if it's not close friends or family it's too much hassle. I avoid heavy drinkers and alcoholics like the plague and growing up with one I can spot them a mile off.
In the UK it's incredibly easy to be alcohol dependant and carry on, it is everywhere. Pubs, bars, hotels, sports clubs, gyms, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, most shops sell it, social events are defined by it, drinking after work and at the weekend is a national pastime. Go to a kids party and you get offered a drink, even a church event will have drinks on offer. Some careers are geared around drinking, journalism, creative jobs, pr, events hospitality and drinking is normalised.
Wow, what a powerful comment. Thanks for joining us ❤️
That's exactly when it spiraled out of control for me too.. hair of the dog became my best friend and my biggest nightmare 😢
@@cynthialewis2096 thanks for sharing - how are you doing now?
@OliverMason1 I am good. I have been sober for 26 years!
@@cynthialewis2096 huge congratulations - 9 over here. Thanks for the inspiration ❤️
@@OliverMason1 yay!! You are awesome!!! Nine is huge!!
@@cynthialewis2096 as are you 👏👏
Hair of the Dog.Your in big trouble
Yes, drinking in the morning is the crucial step if you want to experience withdrawal, DT's, hallucinations. I never had any of those complications but after 3 days of drinking nonstop it used to take me 5 days to recover completely.
@@MrYaworski glad you're on the mend (I can relate). Hope to see you on the channel again soon 👍🏻
R u guys twins?
7 wks 23 hrs, no beers.
Best thing i ever did.
Andrew Huberman about alcohol messing up ur gut reslly made me think.
Turns out most health problems can be avoided somewhat by not drinking
@@silviahoffmann158 twins 🤣 Congratulations 👏👏
Yeah I had "normal" alcoholic binge behavior for years, and often wondered how people could drink 2 days in a row, said I could never do it. Until I did. Then it was every waking moment. Some days just waking up to drink a little, sleep a few more hours, then start again. Won't bore with my whole story but living like that becomes Hell. 6 years next month.
@@D-Fens_1632 huge congratulations to you. Thanks for being part of the community - inspiring!
I am in the USA glad I found d you. Alcoholic is a global thing. Thank you ok u
@@crystaly-m6c Rupert & I hope you are doing well ❤️🩹
My dad CS and was an alcoholic. I never drink or do drugs. Dont like it at all.
Co owns pubs!!!! Wow thats an evil twist
Relate a lot to this. Vodka in smoothies suited as a covert method but red wine in a water bottle sounds pretty risky business. Good video thanks 🙏
Thanks for joining us ❤️
It makes no sense to run a pub knowing the damage it does, and knowing that the majority of the revenue you get from the pub comes from problem drinkers. I am actually disgusted by this man
I completely understand where you’re coming from, and your concern for the potential harm caused by alcohol is valid. It's a complex issue that affects many people in profound ways. However, I believe that someone who has struggled with alcohol and is now in recovery might be in a unique position to run a pub more responsibly and with greater empathy. Their personal experience could help them create a more supportive and aware environment for others, especially those who might be at risk. Knowing Rupert, this will be exactly his intentions as his heart is absolutely in the right place. Is your comment more about wanting alcohol to be banned outright? I can understand your desire for this but won't this just lead to the conditions we saw during prohibition in America?
@@OliverMason1 I get this. Thanks but if it was any other drug, can you imagine someone who was addicted to heroin saying that he just set up an online shop selling heroin. Only with alcohol do we make the excuse. He's profiting off a drug. That's as simple as it gets. It reminds me of Gus Fring in breaking bad, he doesnt partake in snorting meth, he just sells it. Does that make sense ethically, of course not.
To anyone reading this who's only just quit or thinking of quitting, that bit about the stigma of being seen as a 'fuck up' for needing to quit will pass fairly quickly. It's uncomfortable telling people at first but it definitely gets easy after a short while.
@@Stevo_UA-cam agree totally 💪🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
If we drink a highly addictive drug every day it’s not hard to work out that we become addicted but the forget to put this in there bull shit alcohol advertising 😥😥😥😥😥😥
We know 1 in 8 people get addicted to alcohol - it should come with an addiction warning ⚠️
Joining in from Australia. I have been mostly alcohol free for a couple of years, with two occasions this year when I drank. Didn't enjoy it at all. I'm done. I used to drink very heavily in my 20s and 30s. What a waste of time that was. My mental health was destroyed, I struggled with everything in my life. I'm so healthy, anxiety free and happy now. Alcohol sucks
@@Umk-p8k wow, congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story with us and we wish you continued health & happiness. When I was drinking I had panic disorder and I've not had 1 in last 9 years I've been sober. Hope to see you here again ❤️
@@OliverMason1 it took me 20 years to realise, that what I thought was helping me with anxiety, was actually the main contributor to it. I used to feel almost paralyzed with fear on days after heavy binge. So I would drink...and the cycle would continue.. years of counselling, antianxiety drugs and everything else possible, nothing worked. I quit drinking and within weeks my anxiety started to subside. I watched the video where you talked about your personal journey and one of your rock bottoms. I relate so much. That sense of being in an abyss of sadness and self loathing, knowing that yet again you disappointed loved ones and yourself. So much suffering. I don't think people who didn't experience addiction can really understand the depth of that pain and feeling of hopelessness. Thank you for sharing and for creating this channel. It helps so much.
@@Umk-p8k Thank you for taking the time to share your story. It’s great to hear how you’ve recognized the patterns contributing to your anxiety and made the brave move to quit drinking. That cycle of fear, sadness, and self-loathing you describe is all too familiar for many who’ve struggled with addiction, and your ability to break through that is truly inspiring.
It’s so rewarding to know that my content has resonated with you and been a source of support. Sharing these personal journeys is never easy, but it’s in moments like these-where stories connect-that real healing happens.
Keep going, Kasia! You’ve already taken some of the hardest steps, and your strength shines through. Thank you again for your kind words and for being part of this community.
Take care and wishing you all the best,
Oliver 🙏🏻
I am 2nd day of being sober its just a start please pray for me 😞
All the prayers my brother - find a community we have got you 🙏🏻
Go to a meeting if you can. One daybat a time.
@@PhilMorales-ho9ff meetings, sponsor, steps, service is what saved me too 🙏🏻❤️
For me it was the exact same thing…the hair of the dog ruined me. A year and 9 months sober though!🦾
Huge congratulations 👏🏻🎉
Each step of your journey along the downward path of drinking resonates with me as do the positive revelations in sobriety. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@AV-cx7ob keep going - amazing work ❤️