This week I sit down with Conor Pope @conorpope who has recently documented how a dry January turned into a dry forever, but insists he is not a judgemental Holy Joe. Conor shares how this began rather casually but evolved into a significant lifestyle change over the years.

Conor Pope is a journalist, author and broadcaster. As The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent he writes about everything from the cost of living crisis to travel chaos and frequently comes to the aid of wronged readers. He’s a regular on RTE radio and television, Virgin Media and Newstalk and once appeared on Celebrity Masterchef but was sent home after inexplicably adding a field of lavender to an otherwise lovely dessert.

In this episode, we talk about the cultural perceptions surrounding alcohol, exploring how our societal norms influence our drinking habits. Conor reflects on the unexpected joys and benefits he discovered after giving up the booze like his improved health metrics. His story is a great example of how a Dry January can change everything. Enjoy!

This weeks guest is Alison Calder @alisoncalderalcoholcoach whose story absolutely intrigues me. She worked in the alcohol industry for all of her career, even owning her own wine company, until she gave up drinking at 39.

Alison shares her journey into sobriety. For 15 years she grappled with her drinking, ignoring her intuition and desperately clinging to the hope that one day she would manage to moderate her alcohol use and drink the way she wanted to. But alas, for many of us, this can never happen. Alison attributes her sobriety to finding acceptance, creating a life she doesn’t want to escape from, bringing in strong daily non-negotiables, finding joy in the little things, and living in alignment with her values.

In this episode, Alison provides invaluable insights on the transformative power of accepting the reality of our drinking, the importance of community support and reframing our mindset, especially during this month Dry January.

She has retrained as a positive psychology coach, specialising in helping women to stop drinking and rediscover themselves. This involves deep exploratory work around the reasons people drink, how to deal with cravings and triggers, and uncovering and working through any ambivalence they may have around alcohol. She then guides clients to reconnect with who they really are, what they truly want, what their values are, and what brings them joy.

Alison offers 1–1 coaching, group coaching, group programmes, and workshops. She has also worked with community alcohol services, which has given her further insight into alcohol and the impact it has on people’s lives.

In this episode of No More Booze, I welcome Kelly Cooney, founder of Alcohol Uncensored @alcohol_uncensored to discuss, among other things Dry January.

Alcohol Uncensored is a warm and inclusive space for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol borne out of Kelly’s experience of community in various stages of her sobriety journey.

Kelly shares her personal recovery journey, including relapses, resilience and the powerful connections with others she met through the alcohol free community Over the Influence. We talk prevention over intervention, why you don’t need a rock-bottom moment to choose change, and the benefits of alcohol-free living, from improved health, emotional regulation and the deep sense of support that comes from community. Enjoy!

https://alcoholuncensored.co.uk