Have you noticed that since the start of the lockdowns from last March your drinking has greatly increased to a point where it is now a serious problem? The issue with addiction is that along with it comes denial and it is normally only when you hit crisis point that you realise the severity of the issue and how much alcohol has taken over your life, damaging you physically and mentally not to mention the impact on others that are close to you. For me, the real wake up moment was when my hands would shake uncontrollably. It was the physical symptom of alcohol and the stark realisation that I was seriously damaging my health that I knew I needed to adopt an alcohol-free life moving forward for myself and also for my family.

If you’ve had a similar realisation and you want to make a dramatic positive change to your life – ditching the booze before the summer and lockdown ends, then please read on. In this blog, I have put together some of the key things that helped me to kick-start my sobriety journey and I am confident that they will also help you as well. The majority of the resources listed below are completely free of charge, the only things you need to invest are your time, commitment and willpower to change your life for the better.

YouTube

I have always had a love for YouTube, I find watching videos easy to take in new information and I have used it as a way to both unwind but also to learn new things. When I started to become sober curious, one of the first things I did was go to YouTube to find any channels which focused on sobriety and how to succeed with removing alcohol from my life. I found it to be really helpful but I also discovered there to be a surprising lack of UK content creators out there with the majority mostly being based in America.

This is what also pushed me to start my own YouTube Channel when I made the decision to start my own addiction help programme. Now with over 6,000 subscribers, I am really pleased with how well the channel has been received. I regularly create videos on my sobriety journey, which includes what has worked well, what to avoid, the impact on my family and interviewing other sobriety influencers on their journey’s.

Facebook Support Groups

When I started out on my sobriety journey, I was amazed at how many different Facebook support groups there are available to anyone struggling with addiction. These groups have been such a fantastic tool for me. They are an online safe space and just being able to read comments from other people and realise that what I am going through is not something I am facing on my own, others understood and it was a great comfort. I always really liked being able to support others when someone would create a post needing help and being able to provide that assistance would also help push me forward as well.

I recently created a blog about some of the best online support groups that are available which you can check out HERE. I cannot stress how much these types of groups can help with not feeling alone and being able to speak openly to others who understand what you are going through.

Sobriety Websites

Sobriety websites are a fantastic resource to gain lots of helpful information on tips and advice on starting and remaining sober. Whilst having a sobriety website means that there will be courses or items you can purchase, the best sober influences and mentors will have active blogs within their sites which are updated regularly. When I first started out on my journey, I was like a sponge taking in as much information as possible and this included looking through the internet to find the best sobriety websites with lots of useful information available.

To help save you time, I have compiled my favourite ‘go to’ list of sobriety websites that have active blogs and an abundance of useful information for anyone on their sobriety journey. You can check this list out HERE.

Sobriety Books

I have well publicised that I have a number of books available which I have written since starting sobriety. These include The Sober Survival Guide and How To Quit Alcohol in 50 Days. I found writing these to be a great therapy for me with looking back at my past and how addiction gripped my life; to where I am now and planning for the future. I have also read a number of other sobriety focused books which I have found to be a fantastic help. My favourites include Annie Grace, This Naked Mind and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray.

There are a number of ‘quit lit’ books I could list and I strongly urge you to go on Amazon and have a look through the ones that are available as they can really help with understanding why addiction can take a hold and what you can do to get your life back in your control.

Stop Drinking Podcasts

Reading not your thing? If not then don’t worry, podcasts are a fantastic way of taking in lots of helpful information whilst being able to sit back and relax with your headphones in. There are also several excellent podcast creators that regularly create new podcasts on a weekly basis focused around sobriety, wellness and moving forward in life from an addiction to alcohol.

If you search on Google for ‘sobriety podcasts’, you will be presented with a number of authors who are leading the way in creating fantastic podcast series on sobriety and I regularly take time out of my day to listen to them if I need a positive boost.

Alcohol Addiction Programmes

Last but by no means least on my list to kick-start your sobriety is an alcohol addiction programme. This isn’t always for everyone as it is not normally free. However, if you are struggling with your sobriety or want to help ensure you give your alcohol-free life the best chance to succeed then 1-2-1 addiction programmes can really help.

I have always had a passion for helping others but I was never quite sure where to place this support. It only once I discovered how positively life changing sobriety is that I knew I wanted to share this as far and wide as possible and provide help to anyone else struggling with addiction and that is why I started my sobriety coaching and 1-2-1 support programmes. I want to help people across the world with their struggles with alcohol addiction. The courses are intense in a good way and really help you to look at your addiction and learn the coping strategies needed to deal with addiction and to live a sober life.

The list above is designed to help you with kick-starting your sobriety journey and helping you to remain focused if you ever feel like you are struggling to maintain your sobriety. With the right motivation and want to change your life for the better, you can be well on your way to a sober summer and improving your life dramatically for the years to come.