What was the last book you read about sobriety?
I am currently reading Gabor Mate’s latest – “the Myth of Normal.” I attended a conference where he spoke and was very impressed by his understanding of addiction and his willingness to share his own experience.
Do you have any sober heroes/heroines?
I do. I had the great honour of knowing Danny McLoughlin in the last couple of years before he died of cancer. With one of the worst stories I have ever heard, he turned his life around, retrained as an addiction counsellor in the US, and was a staunch AAer. I used to invite him for breakfast on a Sunday, finished off by a good coffee at Mojo’s and then an excellent ice-cream. He really brought the Celt out in me, an aspect of myself that gets squashed, it may be why I now live next to the Irish Sea. Over a year ago since his death, I do miss his company, his storytelling, wisdom, and sense of good fun. If there is someone out there reading your story what would be your top sober tip be? ·Just don’t take that first drink, it’s the one that does the damage. Why would you want that chaos back in your life? If in doubt go to a meeting. Have a backup plan. I always drive myself to places, so that, if required, I can take myself out of the dangerous situation. ·My sobriety is the most important thing to me, I wear it close to my heart.
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