Sobertides with Tony

 

Everyone, doctors and family, told me I needed to stop drinking, but no-one told me how.

 

Where I grew up men’s drinking was considered ‘normal’. Same as in my working life in IT. Deals were made in restaurants and pubs with spirits and beer. Alcohol was just part of life. Like breathing or eating.

 

But at some stage, alcohol was no longer a social or work activity. Especially after I retired. Alcohol was something I did in isolation and without knowing it my personality changed.

 

I knew something was wrong, but what could I do about it? I tried moderate or controlled drinking and that only made the drinking worse.

 

As I drifted into full-blown alcoholism, my life began to crash. I had numerous falls and ended up in hospital several times with broken bones. I lost the use of my muscles and had to use a walking frame. I could no longer drive. My wife left me and I would go for days without speaking to another human being.

 

But I still couldn’t stop. At some deep-down level, I believed that alcohol was essential to my survival. Despite all the losses!

 

Then I discovered the book This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. That was when my attitude towards alcohol began to change.

 

I decided to give Sobertides a try and began a coaching program with Tony. During those sessions I gained a knowledge of what alcohol is really about and how it controlled my thinking.

 

Tony turned my life around. With our weekly sessions I learnt how to stop drinking and how to change my relationship with alcohol. I have a life – a good life. I no longer needed the walking frame and my wife and I have a happy relationship.

 

Tony was great to work with. He was down to earth, practical, positive with a great sense of humour.

 

I would recommend him to anyone who is worried about their alcohol intake.

 

Rod H.    02/9/24