"My Binge Drinking Spiralled During Lockdown!" School of Rock Bottom 71: Henry Beercock

For anyone sober curious or identifies more as a binge drinker rather than an alcoholic - this episode is for you! Most people think rock bottom is dramatic — losing everything, waking up in a hospital, or worse. But what if it’s quieter? What if it’s your partner saying, “I can’t do this anymore”? This week, I’m joined by Henry Beercock, who spent 17 years stuck in a cycle of binge drinking, binge eating, smoking, vaping and unhealthy habits before one moment changed everything. In just two years, he’s lost seven stone, gone vegan, and built an inspiring alcohol-free community in Hull called Alco-Hull-Free. He’s now brewing his own alcohol-free beer and proving that life without alcohol isn’t dull — it’s full of purpose, joy and real connection.In this episode, we explore what binge drinking really looks like in the UK, why so many people quietly hit their limit during lockdown, and the truth about sober curiosity. Henry opens up about the moment he nearly lost his marriage, how he rebuilt his health and identity, and why alcohol-free beer became part of his mission.We talk about what kind of people go sober, what Henry might have lost if he didn’t stop, why alcohol-free beer matters — and whether it’s safe for people in recovery from alcohol use disorder. We also discuss how long it really takes to feel better after quitting drinking, whether the UK has a national drinking problem, sober holidays, why binge drinkers quit even without a “classic” rock bottom, and how to start if you’re sober curious!This conversation will change the way you think about drinking, connection, and what it means to really live.Oliver is an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and you can access support here - https://tinyurl.com/5dt5773eThank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Trailer & Intro4:45 Henry's rock bottom moment 7:10 Lockdown leads to coke use10:15 Lockdown or lock in?!13:00 What actually is binge drinking?14:30 What kind of people go sober?18:00 What could have Henry lossed?20:30 Why Henry loves alcohol free beer22:30 Is alcohol free beer safe for those with alcohol addiction?29:30 How did Henry go sober? 33:00 What is Alco-Hull free? 37:15 How long till you feel better when you stop drinking? 38:25 Does The UK have a drinking problem? 41:00 Sober holidays? 44:20 Sponsor45:20 Why would a binge drinker quit alcohol?47:30 Quit drinking to help food addiction?49:40 The food F IT Button 53:15 First steps if you're sober curiousFollow Henryhttps://www.instagram.com/henrybeercockFollow Alcohull Freehttps://www.instagram.com/alcohullfree_Follow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube -https://tinyurl.com/4ntx8hm8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#SobrietyJourney#Sobercurious#AlcoholFreeLife