After Hours with Jimmy Thistle

Send us Fan MailAbi is originally from the UK, but now lives in New Zealand. Mum to 3 teenage girls, she spent most of their childhood buying into the 'mummy wine' culture, rushing bedtime so she could get to the couch and her bottle of wine (or 2). After one of her daughters told her they didn't like the sound of her voice when she was drinking, Abi decided to quit, thinking it would be easy. It took 4 years of constant stop-starting but she got there in the end. Now over 4 years sober, she's finally become the mum she always knew she should be. She now educates people on alcohol-related issues through her 1:1 coaching and her own podcast, The Sober Connection. You can find Abi on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/levelup.withabi?igsh=MTdmbTBlN3k0NzM1bA==30 Days to Freedom by Abi Kinghttps://subscribepage.io/30-days-to-freedom-resetThe Sober Connection Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sober-connection/id1809595582Mrs D is Going Without - Lotta Dannhttps://a.co/d/04SPXfBIBoing Point https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11127680/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Virtueshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7186126/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailEmma quit drinking over ten years ago, long before sobriety became a trend or a wellness choice. Back then, choosing not to drink often raised eyebrows, and the only visible routes were AA or rehab. Emma chose neither, instead carving out her own path—without quit lit, podcasts, or a sober community to lean on.By day, she’s a mum to two teenagers (and two cats) and works for a disability charity. In her spare time, she’s become a passionate advocate for alcohol-free drinks, supporting the category from its earliest days. Today, Emma is a regular judge of alcohol-free categories and writes about non-alcoholic drinks, bringing both lived experience and a sharp critical palate to a category that’s come a long way since she started.You can find Emma on instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/emma_sobersonic?igsh=MXVhY2JraXdodWhzbw==And Emma’s linktree at:https://linktr.ee/emma_sobersonicLove Sober Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/love-sober-podcast/id1379018341The Outrun - Amy Liptrothttps://amzn.eu/d/06LpGWumWild - Cheryl Strayedhttps://amzn.eu/d/00v410CZDry - Augusten Burroughshttps://amzn.eu/d/0iEP1EZsWintering - Katherine Mayhttps://amzn.eu/d/0fOgxG4LSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAdam Burg lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and their dog, Ruby. His sobriety date (May 20, 2022) marks a turning point that came after more than a decade spent cycling through alcoholism, stuck in the all-too-familiar limbo between wanting change and not knowing how to reach it. Eventually, something shifted. Adam made the decision to confront his illness head-on. He asked for help, committed to recovery, and began the hard, daily work of rebuilding his life with honesty and intention. Today, that same journey has become a source of purpose. What once held him back now fuels his ability to connect with and support others facing similar struggles. His story is one of resilience, accountability, and the belief that change is possible for anyone, one day at a time.You can find Adam on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/sober__traveler?igsh=MW41bjFvczd2cnBlaA==Unexpected joy of being sober - Catherine Greyhttps://amzn.eu/d/03SBYaMGRecovery Elevator - Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/recovery-elevator/id971959728Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailLaura is the author of the bestselling memoir We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life and Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Life (and Everything Else).Her work explores the intersection of addiction, recovery, emotional sobriety, and the complexities of relationships. She has written for The New York Times and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The TODAY Show, and more.In 2020, she founded The Luckiest Club, a global sobriety support community, and she writes Love Story, a popular Substack newsletter about sobriety, relationships, and writing. She is currently working on her third book.Laura lives with her daughter on the North Shore of Boston.You can find Laura on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/laura_mckowen?igsh=MjBnbDE5eHExbjY2And all Laura’s other links on Linktree:https://linktr.ee/laura_mckowenWe Are The Luckiest - Laura McKowenhttps://amzn.eu/d/0gKzYmnJPush off From Here - Laura McKowenhttps://amzn.eu/d/0hZASeMqJohn O’Donohue - The Inner Landscape of Beautyhttps://amzn.eu/d/0dQokDBMSentimental Valuehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt27714581/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkDrinking: A Love Story - Caroline Knapphttps://amzn.eu/d/0dQokDBMSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailNikki is a sobriety coach and the voice behind @mommyissober, where she shares raw, honest insights about what it really looks like to change your relationship with alcohol.After years of struggling herself, Nikki realised that the problem wasn’t a lack of willpower, it was the need for relief. That understanding changed everything.Her work now focuses on helping women, especially mothers, gently break the evening drinking cycle by working with their nervous system, not against it.Through her coaching and her 6-week live program Unbound, Nikki supports women who are still drinking but know something needs to change, helping them uncover the root cause and build a life that no longer needs alcohol to cope.You can find Nikki on instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/mommyissober?igsh=MWh1Zno3ZXUyc2hlOA==And Nikkis website is here:https://mommyissober.live/The Surrender Experiment - Michael A. Singerhttps://amzn.eu/d/0fBHg276Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAshley Howard is a certified life and recovery coach with over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Now with over 3 years of sobriety, she works 1:1 with individuals to help them reduce or eliminate alcohol so they can live healthier, happier, and more aligned lives. Based in South Carolina, she is also a wife and mom of two young children, and brings a realistic, compassionate approach to sustainable change. You can find Ashley on Instagram at:https://amzn.eu/d/074zO5jEAnd her website at:https://www.ashleyhowardcoaching.comSober Motivation with Brad McLeodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sober-motivation-sharing-sobriety-stories/id1650658049Annie Grace - This Naked Mindhttps://amzn.eu/d/0bmEeE4OAnnie Grace - The Alcohol Experimenthttps://amzn.eu/d/0hKgNiI1Laura McKowen - Push Off From Herehttps://amzn.eu/d/074zO5jESupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan Mail“Retired party animal. Professional life-changer.”My name is Dawn, although these days, many people know me as ‘Sober Fish’.For most of my adult life, I lived the party lifestyle. On the outside it looked fun, but behind the scenes it was sleepless nights, extreme emotions, toxic relationshits, two-day hangovers and a growing sense that something wasn’t right.By 2016, I was overweight, my eczema was out of control, and I felt stuck in a loop that was slowly draining the joy out of my life.Something HAD to change so I decided to do a personal experiment: one whole year without alcohol or cigarettes, and I’d document the journey publicly on social media.I drank my last alcoholic drink on 27 November 2016, fully expecting to return to my old lifestyle once the year was up.But something unexpected happened.That experiment didn’t just change my habits — it actually changed my life! What began as a one-year challenge became a completely new way of living, and I’ve remained alcohol and smoke free ever since.Today, I support others who feel stuck in the same cycle I once did through coaching, mentoring and my private community, helping them change their relationship with alcohol and build a life they no longer feel the need to escape from. 🐟Catch Dawn on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/soberfishie?igsh=ZjVwbjJqaDJmczR3or on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/share/18vvijBris/?mibextid=wwXIfrDawn's Linktree:https://linktr.ee/Soberfish?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAQqhjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadjo2U7bFrRAONzzbycrGG000G7TntaAHX6KJAa7Y141EdsrbGnDAFn3jmhLw_aem_NIEBd5DpI53j1Sa6L4HNPQAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://amzn.eu/d/01rqPozmGlorious Rock Bottom - Bryony Gordonhttps://amzn.eu/d/014kt028Rain in my Heart Documentary - BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00793zq/rain-in-my-heartSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailOn June 15, 2022, Mikey got clean and sober after years of battling addiction and multiple attempts to take his own life. His journey to recovery came only after reaching a place of deep desperation, when enough had been taken from him that he finally found the strength to fight back.Through those darkest years, Mikey’s beautiful wife never left his side. She stood by him faithfully, even though watching him slowly destroy himself hurt her just as deeply as it hurt him. Her love and loyalty became part of the foundation he would eventually build his recovery upon.Since becoming clean, Mikey’s life has been transformed. Recovery opened his eyes to beauty in places he once could not see. Today, Mikey considers himself rich not because of money, but because of the abundance of love, connection, and purpose in his life.What was freely given to Mikey in his recovery, he now gives freely to others. It has become his personal mission to leave the world better than he found it, helping people one by one, bit by bit.Find Mikey on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/mikeybanksrr?igsh=cjdqbGVwcTY1YW0xMikey’s I AM movement:https://ko-fi.com/s/08ce0f2ede?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAVERFWAQfukxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeufUiTElMI_NykYbXbptQYoXX3jW8qHGmrEfdWwTPdsVqnctQH_vN_UxE89Q_aem_iwdJxxQaejNGs8CkjSgBkgThe Better Together Ball:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-better-together-ball-tickets-1981878757715?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=PAVERFWAQfuphleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAac8fyV2wmls0UytOODHCIKo1bKuwHc6sgNLvqvs9_ni9Skk2ifuX2TvXbZmUA_aem_mkjXW3KvC70e598ed3yWuwA Star is Born:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517451/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate:https://amzn.eu/d/0d5xfdRISupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailRachel’s story begins with neglect, resilience, and a whole lot of sadness. Her mother lost custody of her sister & her due to her own addiction, being raised by their father alone, A heartbreak that forced her to grow up fast. She lost her mom to an overdose at just sixteen, an even bigger heartbreak that forced her to grow up even faster. With a hardworking dad who was always trying to keep the family afloat and a younger sibling who depended on her, Rachel learned early how to survive chaos. But survival came with pain, and that pain eventually pulled her down a darker path.By twenty, Rachel became a mom herself, trying to figure out adulthood while fighting battles she didn’t know how to name yet. Drinking led to blackouts, benzos numbed everything, and holding a job became almost impossible. Life felt like it was slipping through her fingers. Everything changed on April 11, 2024; the day she chose sobriety and never looked back. Since then, she’s lost over 70 pounds, rebuilt her life from the ground up, and become the steady, reliable version of herself she once never believed possible.Today, Rachel is nearly two years sober, a co-host of the growing podcast Rock Bottom with Ryan, and a powerful voice for women & mothers in recovery. She is a present mother, a woman who shows up at work every day with pride, and the creator of a life she once only dreamed about. She’s also preparing to marry the man who stood by her through every breakdown and breakthrough on her two years of sobriety. Her passion now is helping other women see that healing is possible, no matter how far they’ve fallen, you can get back up and fight the fight!Catch Rachel on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/realtalkwithrachieRock Bottom with Ryan Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rock-bottom-with-ryan/id1827151504Mel Robbins - Let Themhttps://amzn.eu/d/0d5hYimkDr. Anna Lembke - Dopamine Nationhttps://amzn.eu/d/09Td17HH Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailNatalie is a sober mom devoted to recovery, spiritual awakening, and conscious healing. Through lived experience, deep self reflection, and radical honesty, she speaks about what it truly means to choose sobriety, face grief and loss, and rebuild a life rooted in self trust and inner peace. Her journey centers on surrender, resilience, and learning to live aligned with truth rather than survival. Natalie believes sobriety is not just the absence of substances, but the presence of self. One day, one choice, and one awakening at a time.You can find her on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/thesoberglowgetterDavid Goggins - Can't Hurt Mehttps://amzn.eu/d/06CVZCpYRequiem For a Dream - Darren Aronofskyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180093/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAsh’s relationship with alcohol began at sixteen, drinking Lambrini down the park with her friends. For many years, alcohol was her idea of fun. It led her into dangerous situations, and many of the negative experiences she carries would not have happened had she not been drinking.As she got older, her drinking evolved. Park benches turned into sophisticated nights out and glasses of Whispering Angel on the sofa. But alongside this shift, her hangovers grew heavier and more debilitating. They began to affect her mental health and erode her self worth, leaving her feeling like a horrible person in the aftermath.Around six years ago, Ash’s sober curious journey began. She picked up quit lit, educated herself, and started following sober accounts on Instagram. A quiet but powerful seed was planted, the idea that life could be lived differently.After many ups and downs and several sober stints, at thirty three she decided to give sobriety a real try and see what life could look like without wine. Becoming a mum made the decision feel more meaningful. She wanted to take it seriously and be the best role model she could be for her daughter.Ash realised she had been getting through life while drinking, but she wanted more than just okay. She wanted a life where she wakes up with a spring in her step and finds joy in the simple, booze free moments 🌱You can find Ash on Insta at:https://www.instagram.com/boozefreesparkleSober Stories From Everyday People - Sassy Sober Mumhttps://amzn.eu/d/dR6xhhvLucy Rocca - How to Lead a Happier, Healthier, and Alcohol-Free Life : The Rise of the Soberista https://amzn.eu/d/dR6xhhvWe are the luckiest - Laura McKowenhttps://amzn.eu/d/g7QaCV5Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAlex Leigh is a former international model turned sleep coach, mum of two, and midlife transformation advocate. After years of pushing through stress, burnout, and using alcohol as a coping mechanism, she reached a point where she knew something had to change.Choosing sobriety became the catalyst for everything - better sleep, better boundaries, stronger body, clearer mind. At 47, she is living proof that it’s never too late to rebuild your life from the ground up.Through her online platforms, Alex shares honest conversations about alcohol, nervous system regulation, sleep, discipline, motherhood, and what it really takes to stop playing small.You can get Alex on her Insta at:https://www.instagram.com/alex.leigh2.0?igsh=MW5lNDRycGg3NjgxbQ==And the rest of her links on linktree:https://linktr.ee/alexleigh2.0?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=17960b0f-56c9-4594-8528-f694d5c11340Veronica Valli - Soberful https://amzn.eu/d/0hAlJ2FcRussell Brand - Recoveryhttps://amzn.eu/d/07E3gRcQSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailKaitlin is over three years sober and passionate about turning her past into purpose. Having experienced the challenges of addiction firsthand, she now uses her voice to bring hope to those who are still struggling. She believes that no one is too far gone for recovery and that sharing our stories is one of the most powerful ways to heal and connect.You can find Kaitlin on instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/soberasamotherfocusedand on Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@soberasamotherfocusedAddicted to Recovery Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/addicted-to-recovery/id1727956037Rachel’s Holiday - Marian Keyes https://amzn.eu/d/0gXQ0NYvAgain Rachel - Marian Keyeshttps://amzn.eu/d/04hNE5ydOne Day https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16283804/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThirteenhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328538/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug statshttps://ourworldindata.org/grapher/substances-risk-factor-vs-direct-deathsSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailCameron Kidd. 34 years young and grew up pretty normal, loving parents, big family, good mates. Nothing dramatic.  A few run ins at school, few family arguments, a tiny bit of abuse. But nothing that screamed, “this lad’s gonna go completely off the rails.” At one point the biggest thing in my world was playing football with my mates. Then suddenly all I cared about was getting fucked up...drugs, booze, chaos, repeat.My weekends were basically measured in how smashed I could get, how much shit I could shovel into my body, how many girls I could pull, and how little reality I had to feel. If I didn’t have a pocket full of gear, I felt like the whole weekend was a write off. There were nights I’d pumped so much shit into myself I genuinely left it up to the big man upstairs to decide whether I’d see another sunrise. And half the time the sun was already up and I was still out of my fucking mind.After about 15 years of battering myself, I finally realised this was going to end one of two ways: I’d die physically, or I’d die spirituality/mentally. Did I really want to choose the bottom of a pint over love, connection, meaning, a life I actually gave a shit about? I didn’t think I had purpose. I didn’t think I was worth anything. So self-destruction felt easier.Traveling Southeast Asia and meeting my girlfriend slowed things down, but I still had relapses. Still had those moments where I’d fall back into old habits. Eventually she gave me an ultimatum, and honestly, thank fuck she did. I got help. I started a program. I faced myself properly for the first time in my life.During that time I was diagnosed with ADHD and suddenly a lot of my chaos made sense. The medication didn’t “fix” me, but it helped me grab hold of the ledge while I was falling into this black hole I’d been in for years. It gave me enough stability to start climbing back.Now I’m over a year sober. I’ve started my podcast. I’ve got goals again, ambition again, a fucking pulse again. Sobriety gave me a chance. The diagnosis helped me understand myself enough to use it. I’m insanely grateful to the people who stood by me when they had absolutely no reason to. They’re the real heroes in this story.I’m finally doing what I should’ve done a long time ago. Because nothing changes if you don’t change a fucking thing—and I desperately needed change.Sobriety is hard. At the start it’s brutal. It feels like shit. It hurts. But there’s pain either way. There’s the pain of destruction that lasts forever, or the pain of growth that eventually passes. I’ve already paid in pain. Now I’m making sure it counts.Follow Cameron on Insta:https://www.instagram.com/tomupodcast?And all of Cameron's other links here:https://linktr.ee/tomupodcastSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAnna Donaghey is a writer, coach, and host of the acclaimed podcast The Big Drink Rethink. A former advertising strategist, she brings insight, empathy, and humour to conversations about alcohol, identity, and intentional living. After quitting drinking after years of addiction, Anna set out to explore why so many capable, successful lives feel oddly undernourished, and how we reach for substitutes like alcohol when something deeper is missing. In her debut book, ‘What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want’, Anna invites readers to get curious, explore their relationship with alcohol, reconnect with themselves, and create a life that nourishes them in genuine ways.  Buy Anna’s book - ‘What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want’Amazon: https://amzn.to/47agUn2Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607 Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailEmily is a creative, a dreamer, a dog lover and very grateful to be sober from alcohol. From the UK originally she now lives and works by the beach in Melbourne Australia.You can find Emily on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/emchadbourneRussel Brand - Freedom from our Addictions:https://amzn.eu/d/7ZN5WVGSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailMusician Adrian Cox left home at the age of 15 to pursue a life of touring and making music as a profession. Not an easy task for anyone but as a 15 year old boy, Adrian easily fell into the trap of a life of drinking and drugs. Still living the dream at aged 42, things are very different now. Although still travelling the world, having carved out a career as one of the most respected jazz clarinetists Internationally, he is 2 months off of 12 years without a drink and nearly 10 years with no cocaine. It’s been a hell of a journey including a hip replacement at aged 30 due to AVN caused by alcohol and few other tales (as you can imagine) to go with that! Adrian now lives in Sweden and has found balance in touring, home life and the joys of the AA program, something he came to after 11 years.You can find Adrian on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/ontheroadinrecoveryDrop the Rock, Steps 6&7 - Bill P Todd W and Sara Shttps://amzn.eu/d/gBeLdL0We Did OK, Kid - Anthony Hopkins https://amzn.eu/d/eAyTYpSSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAmy is a sobriety mentor, breathwork specialist and founder of Devine Breath. A former drinker herself, she now holds the Sober Sisterhood Breathwork Community, supporting women to release alcohol and reconnect to themselves and each other through the breath.You can find Amy on Insta at:https://www.instagram.com/devine.breathCheck out Any’s Website here:https://devinebreath.comOr you can find everything else on her LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/amydevineCaroline Knapp - Drinking a Love Storyhttps://amzn.eu/d/8hLYqjMAnnie Grace - This Naked Mindhttps://amzn.eu/d/79SNLpxGabor Matte -  The Wisdom of Traumahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13863968/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkPeter Levine - Waking the T igerhttps://amzn.eu/d/3Qdd8bnSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailAlicia Butler began drinking at 16, initially for confidence and belonging. What started as social drinking gradually became a way to switch off, manage stress, and escape her own thoughts. For years, alcohol felt like a relief, until it quietly became something she relied on more than she wanted to admit.After her mum died in 2011, Alicia tried repeatedly to cut back on drinking, knowing it was something her mum had hoped for her. Over the years, she set rules, took breaks, and attempted moderation. She once made it almost 90 days sober, but the emotional fallout felt overwhelming and she returned to drinking. Other attempts lasted weeks, sometimes only days. The pull of alcohol was strong, and there was always a reason to start again.By her late 40s, Alicia realised her drinking was no longer under control. She was regularly drinking more than a bottle of champagne a day, waking with shame, exhaustion, and regret. At events she looked forward to all year, she barely remembered what had happened, sometimes missing entire performances, and often behaving in ways that left her deeply embarrassed. Alcohol, combined with tiredness and strong emotions, created a dangerous volatility. At her lowest points, it pushed her into emotional states that scared her and those closest to her.At 48, tired of the mental and emotional toll, Alicia decided to try something different. After watching other women her age openly document their sobriety journeys online, she posted a raw, unfiltered day one video as a way of asking for accountability and help. What began as a quiet experiment quickly became a turning point.The early days of sobriety were emotional. Alicia cried openly, struggled with raw feelings, and had to learn how to sit with discomfort without numbing it. Over time, however, the benefits became undeniable. Her mood stabilised, her sleep improved, her memory sharpened, and she found she could handle stress without spiralling. She stopped taking antidepressants, became clearer about her goals, and discovered a level of mental strength she hadn’t known she had.Fitness had always been part of Alicia’s life, even when she was drinking, but sobriety allowed it to support her rather than compete with alcohol. Sharing her journey publicly, not wanting to let others down, and refusing to reset her daily counter helped her stay committed. Alcohol free drinks also became a lifeline. Once someone who drank only dry wines and champagne, Alicia now enjoys alcohol free gins and beers, finding they allow her to keep rituals without the fallout.Now over 150 days sober, Alicia shares honestly about midlife sobriety, habit change, and rebuilding self trust. Her work focuses on realism rather than perfection, and on the quiet freedom that comes from no longer negotiating with yourself every night. She didn’t quit drinking because she hit a single dramatic rock bottom. She quit because she was exhausted by what alcohol was taking from her time, money, energy, and peace of mind.Find Alicia on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/champagnetochangeDavid Nutt - Drink:https://amzn.eu/d/62xPsgTLouisa Evans - Becoming A Sober Rebel:https://amSupport the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailJimmy was a rock bottom kind of drunk, vodka for breakfast was the way he started his days at the end and mostly before he'd even opened his eyes. Alcohol was his friend, his best friend and he would shun, push away or even be downright horrible to anyone that tried to get in the way of him getting a drink.He didn't want to be like this but he need the alcohol at the end and it became his medicine but he knew he had to get sober or it would kill him. So in 2020 in the middle of COVID he got his final detox and did everything and anything to get sober and stay sober. That was 5+ years ago now and since then Jimmy has become a Peer Mentor for addiction at Motiv8 on the Isle of Man and is planning on starting Sober Coach training in 2026. He has a very successful podcast and got married to the love of his life in 2025. Life is good and he remains an advocate of sober lifestyles and helping people make a change in their life.Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us Fan MailEven more amazing and incredible guests coming your way in 2026!From heartbreaking stories to triumphs and hope, you wont want to miss out! Get ready on New Year's Day 2026 for the first episode drop! Support the showMy Instagram is:https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmyAnd you can find all my other links at:https://linktr.ee/jimmythistleBuy me a coffee…https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmytAlcohol Explained - William Porterhttps://a.co/d/0854fIb6This Naked Mind - Annie Gracehttps://a.co/d/0gy6mT9ZA Million Little Pieces - James Freyhttps://a.co/d/0jdcIjGbDonate:https://motiv8.im/donate/https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/