I was doing the same thing, sitting in front of my desk watching stupid shit, drinking 8 pints a night. I decided I'd quit for a year. That year will turn into four years on January first. Life is so much brighter and more colorful. I finally started really making the music and art I wanted to. This year my mom died because of her own struggle with alcohol. I've never had more resolve to keep going. I'm doing it for the both of us now.
Genuinely. Every time I'm at an event where there are drunk people, I feel sorry for them. They feel the need to drink to belong or to distract and don't realize how much of their surroundings they suppress. These events are brutally stimulating to make up for that. And they think, that alcohol "ehnhances" the experience. Sobriety makes you appreciate everything, alcohol suppresses.
I've been sober for 591 days after drinking for 24 years. For anyone wondering; the hardest part about quitting is deciding to do it. There isn't a moment in quitting that you realize some greater meaning or you get that big reward, you just notice over time that your life is better. It gets easier everyday.
Alcohol is way more destructive than we ever give it credit for in the UK. And like many have said, if it was just invented today no way would it be legalized.
@@alanredversangel it was the reason people were conquered in the past. The societies that become centered around the consumption of alcohol are destined to fail.
The only reasons it is legal is because it's been socially accepted for millenia AND because it is extremely easy to produce. I could make some in my backyard with some juice, bread, and sugar.
So glad this video popped up. I had sixteen days sober. Until Christmas Eve. Binged out for 3 days. I feel like shit. Missed Christmas with my family. Same old regrets. I’m really trying and have been watching tons of these types of videos. This one really seems relatable. Thanks for the help Johnny
Hello, I'm 5 days sober and that's a long time for me this year. Honestly, I haven't been able to stay sober longer than a week since I can remember. I'm feeling anxious about the New Year coming in because everyone I know is going to be drinking today. Anyway, your comment is so real and relatable. It made me laugh a bit because this could totally be me tonight (AGAIN). I'm going to try to trooper through today and I'm seriously contemplating going on a drive and staying away from everyone to stay clean from alcohol. Rooting for you :)
I sincerely hope this helps you and I'm serious as a heart attack about it. Your a stranger but I care and you're comment really hit me hard. Don't ever beat yourself up for drinking. And don't ever relapse. Your in charge as long as your sober. Don't feel like it's a war with temptation. Calmly meditate on what you really want. And remember your not gonna relapse. If it's gonna be that bad, YOU have the choice to drink again. Do it if you really want to go down that road again. Focus on what it's gonna feel like the day after. Focus on the guilt and depression that's gonna happen the next day. Smell a sour beer, do anything else. Then focus hard on why you want to drink or not. If u choose to drink a little or binge again you will be in charge of that decision and if you choose to drink, remember your sober when you choose, your not gonna relapse. Your gonna mess up and say you got drunk on purpose this time. Then stop again. Keep stopping and and remember your in charge. You can try to maintain it for life or you can keep trying. One day sober is a good as a decade my friend. And no need to count everyday. And another thing is don't be sorry don't be guilty. Easier said almost impossible to be done. But people in this world do care and we do recover from alcohol problems. Be safe be careful and never be hard on yourself. Be accountable. If you have a problem well continue to keep taking steps to correct it. Don't live one day at a time. It's not supposed to be hard like that. Live one life at a time is better. And remember u can always try to drink. Instead of trying to quit. It's much harder for me to try and drink. I'm a shitty drunk. Or was. A long time ago now. Have a happy new year and indulge in whatever you want. But if it's causing you pain guilt or shame drop that crap. Sorry so long I just had to drop a book on ya. Your a stranger but I know how it feels to struggle. Your the shit tho. You may feel like shit but just think about how much better your gonna feel after a few weeks of not drinking. It will pass. Maybe, that's up to you my good sir. All Hail Dwight
@@AliciaMoralesespinoza37hey being sober 1 day is just as good as a decade. If you're struggling I hope this helps. If you have went all year and couldn't go a week sober that sounds bad. But reverse it and say you enjoyed drinking all year and only had to stay sober days to recover. That's better. That's no real problem. Other than your liver maybe. But psychologically no problem. The year was a blast. I believe in indulgence as long as it doesn't become a serious compulsion. That's for you to decide. Quit or drink. Don't try. And don't be sorry. Take your time and remember the guilt and depression that will come and outweigh the benefits. So many people try to quit alcohol to early. They really try so hard for the people around them maybe but deep inside they are not ready. They haven't had enough. Your in charge as long as your sober. Go 7 days next year. Or go all year. You can do this. You're the shit after all whether you know it or not right now. But if you drink, well tomorrow the chances are The Shit Is gonna feel like shit tomorrow. 😂 Hail Alicia
@@AliciaMoralesespinoza37 yes I spent this New Year’s Eve alone and working. Any other way may have been a danger to my sobriety. I hope you are well tonight! It’s almost that time for Jan 1st and I’m laying in bed with the phone on silent and watching RUclips videos. Just trying to be at peace. It’s lonely, but it’s got to be for now.
@@andyparrish1933 thanks a lot for the reading material and encouragement. I am keeping in my head that it is definitely MY CHOICE to drink, and I will drill it in like you just did. I’ve actually got Johnny quoted on my screen background. Home and Lock Screen says “you don’t need to give up fun to give up drinking, in fact, it’s the other way around” All I know is new year. Happy to be not drunk, and happy to wake up without a hangover. I do believe this will get easier with the community Johnny is building
Holy shit dude you literally recited the entire past 3 years of my life as a bartender quickly turned severe alcoholic. I lost a lot, but i'm one year sober in 17 days
I started drinking in 2008, as an 18 year old. 7 years later I had seizures, totaled 7 cars in one go, and dislocated my shoulder/severely bruised my shins. After a breakup of a 6 year relationship. All within one week. I drank HARD for one more year to escape all the repercussions, but it did the opposite. It magnified them. 8 years alcohol-free as of December 2024. It’s not that I don’t want to drink, it’s that I CHOOSE not to. It’s hard almost everyday, but that hard gets easier to manage. Stay strong, everyone. Especially my fellow men, it can be hard for us to express these things so we use substances to escape, but we can ALWAYS talk about it, and we should. Love to everyone, and I wish you all success ❤
Well said. You got out much earlier than me. It took me until my mid 50s until I summoned up the courage to stop. I tried it first a few years earlier, and enjoyed the 6 months alcohol free when I was just gone 50. Then I caved in to the social peer pressure (yes, 50 year olds still experience this - pressure to conform - from people who are supposed to be old enough and clever enough to know better) and I was soon back, as you discovered, back to the daily drinking, "to be sociable". I then had a heart attack aged 52 and I stopped again, for a few weeks, and again of course, it was back on the red-wine and real ale treadmill. Then, in 2021 I decided enough was enough, and stopped again. And stayed stopped. It's the best thing I've ever done. The sense of freedom, personal agency, lack of hangovers. Lack of guilt and the end of the mental gymnastics of negotiating with yourself how much, how often I would allow myself a drink. It's all gone. I'm now free. And it's not boring. What's boring is watching friends descend into drunken scribble talk over the course of a few hours. That's truly dull. And that's time to go home and read a book, paint a picture, play a musical instrument. Do something creative. Not piss it all away down the toilet.
I appreciate this honesty Jonny. im a struggling alcoholic and an artist / musician. i fell into the trap of drinking alone for escapism. bless you bro.
Wow thank you for sharing this. Not a lot of content expresses this level of struggle that resonates with me so much. As a creative I have similar experiences with drinking. Often thinking that alcohol will help me achieve my true emotions but it’s a dark and unproductive cycle of self deceit.
Hi my name is Summer and I am an alcoholic. I already liked your no-nonsense minimalist style of narration with beautiful/interesting backgrounds - but this genuine and vulnerable video post made my day. As of this comment, I have been clean and sober for 3 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days. During the pandemic I nearly drank myself to-death, but fortunately I found a program that saved my life (yes, the one you are thinking of) and am forever grateful. my life has done a 180; I am the healthiest, happiest, and most creative that I have EVER been in my life and there's no looking back. All of my love and light to anyone reading this who has lost hope; there is a way out and I am living proof. Blessings to you all! With love, 💗
Okay I’m serious, my algorithm has been showing me a lot of videos on why to quit alcohol. I click them every once in a while because I feel myself going down this path… your video has been the most inspiring to me so far, like I actually want to take action, I want to take it seriously. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so happy you’re enjoying life now 🙏🏼
Love the big shift in focus on alcohol that January brings. What's even more encouraging is seeing more and more young people today stopping drinking and being big on the harms it brings.
Hey mate. Commenting from the great planes of Iowa, United States of America. I really appreciated this video and your narative. I never went out when I was drinking, just stayed home, deleting bottles. I've no desire to drink any longer, praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow. Life is better without constantly poisioning yourself. In the same way one begins consuming as a respite from reality, one experiences the sober mind like a light illuminating a dark chasm of drunken disorientation. Cheers from across the pond, I'm proud of you brother. God bless.
I’ve only had alcohol once or twice, but I used to smoke every day. I started smoking because I was writing a novel, and I wanted one of the characters to be a stoner. I strived for my descriptions of highs to be authentic, so I got high just for that purpose; I quite literally did it for the plot. I endlessly chased that weed-induced haze after trying it once. I never finished that novel, but now I’m sober and writing a new book with a better plot that depicts the pains of addiction. Maybe one day you’ll see my book on a library shelf like I see your RUclips videos on my recommended page. (I recognize that weed isn’t as addictive as alcohol and often isn’t depicted as anything serious. However, I relate to the way you described addiction in this video, regardless of the differences between weed and alcohol.) Much love from America :)
@@markcurtis5265It's really not, if weed was legal the whole time absolutely no one would point to it as a social ill. Fast food, chips & sugary drinks are far more dangerous to your health and more addictive
It really gives me a huge boost when I see others talking about this. One month sober today, I'm getting so much more creative work done as well with all the free time.
Thanks for this, all these feelings are somewhat easy for the people close to you to notice on the bad nights but like you said it’s an invisible prison, it doesn’t look like the worst thing on earth until you’re locked inside
This video is nice. The length is what drew me to it. It is shot well and feels like we are sitting together talking about this. It helped. A lot. Thank you
Alcoholism is no joke. It killed my mom, my favorite uncle and almost got my brother before he quit, thank God. Don't underestimate alcohol. In fact, it is best to never partake in my opinion. 30:26 is amazing advice.
I'm 34 and I've been drinking for 16 years and have been extremely aware of it for the past few years. I have so many passions that I have placed to the side forever. My soul has been asleep for and long time and your video is helping me come to my senses once and for all. Thank you.
So much you said described me as well, especially the guilt .Worrying if something bad happened to my elderly parents and how could I help them in that condition. I'd smoke some along with it and then,...then I'd really feel bad and so damn disappointed with myself. It's been about a week now and I found one in the back of the frig and drank it with my dinner and it tasted really awful. I'm hoping I can leave this all behind forever. Over the last couple years I have dumped so many cans of beer down the drain probably a couple 30 packs due to my guilt and disappointment with myself. Thanks for this post, it's exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life .I've done the same with posts on my phone and I have to go back and apologize for my posts and lying and making up lies to clear myself.Im real fed up with myself. I'm now more aware of my need for a change. Thanks for posting, God bless and take care. 👍
Try to keep clear for a week, at least during the work days. And if you get to drink, try not to feel guilty about it, we're human. Anyways, keep trying!
"You can't see the crisps! We had three different flavors of crisps! And Scotch eggs!" See that was your problem. You became a proper alcoholic because you didn't have the crisps. Seriously though I didn't think I'd watch this whole thing, never seen your content before, but every word hit home for me. I was exactly like you and just finally coming out of it these past couple weeks. This was really inspiring and affirming. Cheers!
29 дней назад+16
hey Jonny, bloody love you mate, been smashing through your vids of late, just the voice I needed in my ear right now, really resonates deeply, very inspiring as someone obsessed with art, particularly music, but drive myself bonkers by never making anything, or following ideas thru, out of ego of course-fear/perfectionism yadayada and so forth, but also simply scorching my reward systems and attention span through addictive patterns has really got in the way as well, and left a lot of shite unprocessed, kinda lost my teens and half my twenties to it, booze, herb, nicotine, screen media, shit food, preferably all at once...had a lot of mental knots associating creativity and counter-culture i love with troublesome habits and extreme lifestyles, though that’s all come from a very different moment and doesn’t really apply, of course I could get a lot out of fun and novelty and soothing out of that personal blend of instant gratifcation copium but at great cost, and naturally, pain outweighs pleasure with overuse in the end, but addiction’s a tireless lil monster, the main killer in my family free, been a shitfight to get off it all, and still is, but the longer I'm sober the higher I get, the more feelings that need to surface are allowed to, moments of deep inner connection, fine feelings, helpful thoughts, that I used to chase with substances arrive organically and with purity that can only come when not forced…and hard stuff isn’t being suppressed so much that it’s never looked at, not sure what the point is exactly here but good on ya man, appreciate you and your vids a lot
Yeah I feel you massively especially on the associating counter culture with bad habits. I thought I was "cool" because I wasn't sober and that sobriety was for dorks.
Thanks for the video. I’m sober 12 yrs. I’ve never heard the prologue to giving up described in such a great way. It’s all individual, but you really resonated with me and my story. Well done fella - not an easy video to make. And thank you. I never leave comments, but had to on this one.
I loved how you explain how it is I feel the same way. Doing dry January but am now considering just going longer. I'm sick of how I feel the day after drinking it to the point where my brain just says NO MORE. Thank you for making this video. I also notice even a couple drinks throws off my mood and energy the next day it's like I'm now hyper aware of the side effects it has on me and I'm tired of it and don't wanna get liver issues or harm my brain any more, especially since I enjoy having good reflexes and energy. Alcohol takes all that away but luckily the body can bounce back. I just gotta be patient
Jesus, I have not resonated with what someone has gone through as much I have with your experiences, I think, ever. Hitting the hammer on every single head, really. My poison of choice has always been cannabis. Fantastic stuff and I've always been enamored with it. Been 8 years now (4 of those years pretty much daily vaping, no smoking at least) and yeah, life sure isn't as innocent as it used to be. It just gradually became a very safe habit for me, to the point where getting high really wasn't the goal (nor was it really possible due to the tolerance) but just the action itself was what I "needed". It ended up controlling my life and me just sort of being complacent with it controlling my life. Accepting the fact that I was a "stoner" and sort of organizing my life around that and like you said, taking priority over many-many things. Really glad I found your channel a couple of weeks back, you're very pleasant to listen to. Best of luck to you, man!
Hey man really great video! I have been sober for a year and was thinking that I could go back to having a drink but your video has just reminded me! Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your honesty, it makes me happy to see people make good change for themselves. Most everyone has a vice that they struggle with whether they acknowledge it or not. Even though mine isn't alcohol or substance related, mentally effects are the same. In the future, your wise words will help me stave off that voice encouraging fruitless behavior, as you called it "the call from the void". Good on you for filming such a raw, passionate chat for 30 minutes in one take, that's what I call some quality content! This comment section is one of the best i've seen in my years on the internet, it restores some of my faith in humanity. Many thanks, wishing everyone here the best in their battles!
that feeling of being pulled towards something, no matter how much you may have hated it before, or no matter how stupid you feel reaching for it again is universal. once you have associated that happy feeling with whatever stupid thing pulling onto you, it is more than hard to let go. I get so angry at myself every time I smoke but yet I find myself wanting more of it the moment my attention span forgets about it. I would have hated who I am now, and I am so utterly disappointed in myself.
I was getting drunk Friday nights and thought this was ok. Danger Will Robinson!! Withdrawal takes more than a week even though you don't feel like you've got a hangover your system still needs time to heal. Take it easy!
We live in the easiest times to get addicted, life is easier to miss than ever I think introspective discussions (that hurt to get out out loud) really do help and I know this video definitely helped
Thank you for this video. I'm a recovering heroin addict myself but I have been to rehab many times and met many people dealing with alcohol dependency issues. Alcoholism has fascinated me because it seems, in its own way, very different from my particular addiction due to how normal and easily available alcohol is. When it comes to the "sober guy" in the bar, many would've thought that was me. I have never enjoyed alcohol or the feeling of being drunk. I am frequently the designated driver in just about all situations. Even when I was actively using, shooting black every 3-4 hours, I was still the guy drinking water at the bar. But there I was thinking the people drinking were the boring ones! I'm still learning who I am without the needle though. Best of luck to you, it is definitely a journey not a destination. Much love
I quit drinking a few years ago and clicked on this video to hear abput someone elses success story. I didnt expect it to wake me up to my problems i have with weed. Its painful but when you said "its the concern thats the issue" it made everything click. I hope my life improves even more now
In regards to family (gran) knowing you had a problem - I bet she's really proud of you for taking action to better yourself and being able to discuss it in a candid way.
This video was just randomly recommended too me so figured i would give it a watch. I'm 27 from BC Canada, my story is quite similar and I myself quit 7 months ago as well! Battled for years to get where i am. There is so much more to life then getting fucking wasted 5 days+ a week. Feeling the best I ever have and can't even stand the thought of drinking again. Drinking has been so normalized amongst the youth and it's straight from the devil man. Should be illegal. Seems like there's a wave of young people waking up to it and I'm so grateful to be apart of it! Love to hear your story man and keep at it!!
Beautiful speech, mate! Was a pleasure listening to what you're saying. For me it's almost 2 years sober now after more than 30 years of drinking and using. Life is so much better now. Thank you! Take care.
Thanks for sharing. I’m currently back at two weeks sober and had to really wrestle myself to stay in tonight (the Saturday before Christmas). I got sober at the beginning of this year for New Years and made it about 5 months before I relapsed. I immediately ended up right back where I was after feeling happier than I had in years before that. All summer and fall, I kept delaying getting sober again, until I finally managed to do it again for fear of some health issues I’d been having. Even these past two weeks, and likely for the remainder of this year I’ll have the same thoughts about wanting to go out with a bang and just start again in the new year. But it just feels so empty and pointless, that I’d rather keep the head start that I have going and prove to myself I can get my first Christmas and new years sober under my belt. I really don’t wanna make the same mistake as last time and go back because it’s no way to live the way I do when I’m not sober.
Wow! We’re on almost exactly the same trajectory. I quit for almost 4 months earlier this year and I’m almost 2 weeks now and decided to spend Christmas and New Year alone at home and just cook something nice and make some music and look after myself.
Hey man. Absolutely bang on with this, particularly the part about not having to be on skid row to be an alcoholic. I used alcohol to maintain my fake personality and generally to be popular and be part of the in crowd. In my teens and twenties if I wasnt drinking id have been a loner, and id have been labelled that by my friends. That I wasnt fun anymore or that I was boring. Im 48 now and stopped drinking completely in June 2021, having had my last pint outside the worlds end pub in Edinburgh. The large majority of my friends were still into drugs and alcohol, and ive just let them slip away. I feel like ive found my feet and that I dont know any of them anymore. I suffer from very strong social anxiety and have a diagnosis of CPTSD from repeated trauma as a child. I fell into drinking and various drugs as a teenager, the first time I got really drunk I was 13 years old. Its only as an adult that ive realised that I was drinking to be able to engage with my friends, or indeed to engage with anyone. When drunk I thought I was the life and soul and I had the confidence and bravado to talk to anyone. I could attract girls, make new friends and was very popular. Without alcohol I shrunk back to being a damaged little boy and simply could not function without that three pint minimum for the confident me to come out. Now over three years sober im on my own most of the time, but exercise, good diet, fresh air and mindfulness are really helping me to start liking myself as I am. If its awkward or strange with my old friends and they dont have the time for me anymore without that crutch then theyre frankly not worth knowing. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression and its as if all my emotions and development ive been hiding from all these years have caught up with me, but that really is a good thing. I feel ive gone back to zero and can now rebuild and slowly make new friends that arent surrounded by booze and drugs, with people that like who I am without all that crap. Its extremely difficult but I urge anyone feeling this way to do the same. It gets better and as hard as its been, I do feel Im turning a corner now and feeling much better with who I am, and also feeling pride in having got this far. Congrats on your sobriety man and thanks for your honesty and putting it out there in a video. Seeing things like this is enlightening and validates that I made the right decision. All the best to you!
completely agree with you man, i recently decided to do a similar thing and cut my drinking and smoking back to only weekends and everything feels like when i was a teenager again, i thought i just grew out of that childlike feeling of wonder and joy but it was really substance abuse taking that feeling from me, i feel alive again, and im glad you do too brother. good luck on your journey man.
Everything feels so much more spiritual and connected to the universe when sober in my opinion- like my spiritual eye opened as the fog of alcohol slowly lifted
I'm still pretty early in my recovery journey, I'm at the point where I can get a week or two off but have a hard time getting past that. This video really helped me not want to go get alcohol today, thank you
Man, this resonates so much with me. I've been struggling with this for over quite a decade, and I am just about to turn 30 in February. I hate drinking at this point, but it's what I do to feel normal. As we speak, having a drink now. The times I have stopped drinking, I have felt so much more alive and better, but the drink is like a devil on your shoulder and you think you can handle it again and then go right back to it. Just like you said... and the cycle repeats.
I'm 17, i live in california, and my issue has been with weed for the past four years and not alchohol, but i can relate to so many of the experiences youre describing here. ive been giving going sober a solid shot for a week, im so sick of my own bullshit i keep making these exuses to justify it, its tough, its tough eating its tough sleeping it's tough staying friends with people its rough having to truly exist with myself and not have that barrier that saved me from my head. i feel like my biggest issue is running from myself, wether it be weed, drinking, mushrooms, pills, or shallow relationships other people who dont care about me, i have such a hard time existing and being so conscious of myself, but i know i cant keep fixing it with things that arent getting better. thanks for this video.
I can relate on many levels, never got to the drinking on my own stage but drinking when socialising became too normal on a regular daily basis. Some fun times admittedly but when it all blends in together it becomes dull very quickly. In the UK there is a problem that isn't addressed. Kids on the continent don't have half as many issues as we do. Why is that? Another problem is people not realising that they have an issue and brush it off or worse get fairly verbally aggressive if you question their drinking habits at all. Also the social exclusion of people who choose to drink sensibly or not at all. I'm glad i can now have a pint or two once a month or even once every 6-8 months, enjoy it and not crave, care or want more. I'm not a teetotaler but can happily go months and sometimes forget when i last had a drink. Well done for this video, takes a lot to be so honest.
"it just was what you‘d do" this really resonated with me. it was the exact same in our friend group with weed….it went from having a fun time hanging out together to just us smoking and it started loosing the initial spark and just became normal (boring) but you would just do it because…..after a while we wouldnt even hang out anymore cause everyone was just smoking alone cause it went from being something that we would do on special occasions to something that you just do all the time and the why, where and with whom became irrelevant (ofc this had to do with the addiction itself too). it wasnt making you high either…it was just to be in a normal state and would just make me tired at the end of the day. wishing everyone who struggles with addiction lots of strength.
I'm going to try your technique tomorrow morning, 1st Jan 2025. I've stopped and started a million times, and overthink it continually. I'll keep a glass of vile, acrid wine and each time I get the urge I'll smell it. I PRAY seeing this video is a sign and, finally, I can make that psychic shift. Thanks.
Did the repetitive actions you're talking about knowing it was bad an consciously aware. over and over and over. Id have so much guilt and shame from saying things that shouldn't have been revealed, scared to go on my phone cause of like idk 5 possible scenarios I've could've said to someone. It was horrible, all the time was horrible. Im only bout to be 90 days sober but I look back still ashamed of some of the things I got myself into. I haven't finished this video yet but everything you've said really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing this
Quit at the end of August after a particularly nasty outburst at someone I cared for. That was a red line moment after a few years of problem drinking. Leaving it behind was the second best thing that happened to me in 2024. Don't miss that poison one bit. And man, the fucking checking the phone the morning after was always the worst. Thanks for sharing.
I watched this a few days ago and can't get it out of my head. I am a good 20 years older than you but you were saying the things that have been kicking around in my head for most of those years. Watched the whole thing and just couldn't get over how similar our thoughts are. I've heard testimonials before, but never felt a connection like this where it literally felt like talking in the mirror. Thanks for just saying it. I haven't had a drink for those 4 days now, and though I have stopped for 2 days, a week, and once somehow did 6 months, this time actually feels different. Cheers.
Listening to your story I felt so sad but also got a good laugh the whole way through. Thank you, I will give it another shot (also never felt compelled to comment on a youtube video before)
I really appreciate your comments about not ‘quitting forever’, as the fear of such an absolute has consistently held me back from making changes I know I need. It’s frustrating because you know it’s a silly impulse, but some stubborn part of you is still indignant about it being a permanent decision. I like the idea of stealing that finality’s punch by just saying ‘right now’. There’s no reason ‘right now’ can’t be forever, and there’s something comforting to me about that. Thanks man.
Thanks for your honesty. I had the same problem years ago. I haven't had any alcohol since 1998. Though I too don't swear that I'll never drink again. I'm just not drinking anything today. To be honest, after years of sobriety, that's an easy decision to make. But I'm not complacent either. I wouldn't drink zero-alcohol beer for that reason. But to each their own. Be careful and good luck.
For me the smell of a freshly opened can of beer is the best thing there is... and I have been sober for a while. Its the - sleepless nights, the feeling of shame and anxiety, the feeling of being lazy , inert piece of shit... constant head aches that i get flash backs of.
This was really well worded. I smoke the green stuff. It comes with withdrawals. Sometimes, I would go weeks smoking because I can't take along enough break from anything, and the withdrawals are bad for me. Just quit the other day, and of course, YT is showing me all this stuff
I'm way younger than you, live in a way different place and for me it's not alcohol, mainly, but the way you've described addiction is so insanely accurate to what I experience. I might trust you and quit, just because it seems you where in my place and you might be right about "the other side"
Your Journey mirrors my own. It’s important for people to realise/remember, being sober and in full charge of your faculties is the most powerful and entertaining headspace to be in. Life is a gift. Get on it.
I went a week without a drop, and somehow I ran into this video as a beer is sitting on my desk. A week seems easy right? Not when it comes from everyday trying to escape reality. Its not easy or everyone would do it right? At 27 I've realized its done more harm than good and honestly I'm tired of feeling like shit. A major turning point was realizing and accepting I'm an alcoholic. No ifs, ands or buts about it and no one to blame but myself. Take "drink responsibly" to heart because it has taken many.
my go to is/was 3 or more $2 25oz 8.1% alc./vol. Theyre called hurricanes, ironic right? They make you open up and have fun until it settles in to late and your like a deer in headlights.
thank you for sharing this. i hope you know how powerful it can be to relate to someone who is being so open about themself so personally. i know il be thinking about this for a long time. thanks and power to u
Good video bro, very honest and open of you. I've just hit 3 months and it's a deadset struggle everyday, my life has become so much more boring and I don't know what makes me happy anymore. Nor do I have motivation to do any of the things that I used to enjoy. I don't really know what I enjoy anymore. It's tough, I hope to find your level of positivity someday soon.
you decribed it well. People who drink usually think that true alcoholism is having extreme withdrawals and shaking in the morning and whatnot. It's not. It's when you realize that alcohol is a barrier in your life and you also can't picture yourself without alcohol, because it's such a huge factor in your life.I took an entire year of not drinking before having an N/A beer. I really how much I missed the taste of beer, not the booze. Like you said your life doesnt fundamentally change but the way you experience it and process it changes dramatically, along with your health. I'm gong 4 years sober, you need to congratulate yourself for being so mature to realize these issues in your life, at such a young age. you're good to go
I relate heavily with your story. Especially with drinking to feel something. I never had a problem with liquor until I got injured. I used to run, box, do kick boxing practice etc, but once I got injured I lost everything. I had to drop out of school, quit my job, and quit the hobbies that made me like living. All gone at once. So I turned to alcohol to cope and would just drink and smoke pot every day watching bullshit and playing games just to pass the days while I waited to heal. Some of it never really healed too. Once it was done healing as much as it could without surgery, I still drank. That shit stuck with me for like 3 years. Couldn't go a day without drinking. As of now, it's been over a year without booze. I did enjoy Beer and Sake. I hope to one day be able to drink them again without being afraid of falling to addiction. I don't think I am ready for alcohol again though. Gotta have a reason to break my current streak anyway.
Had this problem in my early 20s. Mid 20s-30 I switched alcohol for weed. Seemed a lot better but basically the same issues for me. Such a great video. Thank you 🙏🏻 new subscriber
Hey Jonny thanks for these videos I enjoy them so much. I was wondering if you would ever make a video on the prevalence of p*rn in society now. I feel like it’s honestly ruined society as well as the meaning of a loving relationship. Would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Keep doing what you’re doing! Happy holidays
@@UserOne-cj2sc I'd be down for it I have many thoughts on this, but the idea of my grandparents watching a video where I talk about porn freaks me out loool
Parts of your story really resonated with my nicotine addiction. I think some of it applies to all kinds of addiction. It's really fascinating, before you know it something becomes the new normal and you don't even know you're addicted until you're left without it or try to quit. I'm 29 years old and have never experienced anything like when quitting nicotine recently. I would never believe I'd be better off without it, but I've seriously experience a sort of "high" when sober that I can't compare with anything else. Super interesting. Since I quit I've been much more productive, creative, emotional and alive. 10/10 would recommend (although might be difficult in the first days if you got work or similar at that moment).
The worst part is how engrained it is in our society, in our values. Conviviality in a bottle. The social pressure is constant, down to every time you go shop for groceries and have to walk past the spirits aisle. In the meantime, you can get in trouble with the law for a joint. I'm not going to try to say that weed is innocuous, but while it's treated like a dangerous drug, there's an even more dangerous drug that's just available everywhere and even encouraged... Thanks for the video, man, one more nail in the coffin of my drinking habit.
god i was watching a silly video of a guy day drinking and smoking at the park right before this, and now it all became so serious. im 19 and i think i drank for the first time at 15 maybe. in the beginning it was something i did maybe once every two months and it was always this great quest and amazing nights that i thought back on for weeks after. when i turned 18 i could legally buy 3.5% alcoholic beer (sweden) and i started having one sometimes as a treat for doing school work while still in high school. then that turned into a glass of wine when i needed to calm down and center myself to write in my journal. i was struggling with body issues and a lot of anxiety while starting art school at that age but because art kids drink a lot i could almost romanticise it. it became something beautiful in my mind. now im turning 20 in a month so its been a while since then and ive only became more and more used to drinking. its almost a habit. something you could gather friends and do any night of the week. even though i know it can cause cancer just like smoking and i feel guilty for smoking, and even though i know alcohol ruins your brain when i know i would love to study more complex things in the future, i have a hard time not drinking anytime it would be kind of socually acceptable. i was out this friday and got home at like 6 am from an after party and i was so tired from that night and from also partying almost all of january, for literally no reason, but then i found a giant glass of wine that was left from when me and my friends got ready and mine on friday and i had it anyway. but i barely felt anything. im 19 but my tolerance has built so much. i just feel so uncomfortable with that. i dont like how comfortable i am with having a glass or two or three or four or even more just whenever, but it also makes me so happy. i get such a deep dopamine rush (i think) when i decide to have some. and what is that if not treating myself? hedonism? why should hedonism be so bad if it is in moderation? the ancient greeks had a wine god, dionysus, also the god of fertility and rebirth/life. i think i justify my drinking by seeing it as something historical and very human, like i am the same as the people who lived so long back. and thats cool i guess but its also not a justification if this were to become a problem in the future. which i am scared it might. i dont want my family to ever think that. i dont want to ever accidentally peer pressure or make day drinking or drinking many nights a week seem like something normal and expected to my friends, so that they might get alcohol problems. and i would never want treatment for it. i could not do that. I have younger siblings as well. two little girls. they look up to me so much. they havent seen me partying though. i dont ever want to scare or worry them. blah blah thats it i dont have anything more to say, i dont think anyone will read this either but it felt good to articulate
I used to get pass out drunk all the time, it was just how I fell asleep. Over the years, hangovers got worse and I got tired of hearing about what blacked out me did the night before. I just chilled out over the years. Now I drink maybe a few times a year. Could be playing with fire, but thats just how it is.
I was doing the same thing, sitting in front of my desk watching stupid shit, drinking 8 pints a night. I decided I'd quit for a year. That year will turn into four years on January first. Life is so much brighter and more colorful. I finally started really making the music and art I wanted to. This year my mom died because of her own struggle with alcohol. I've never had more resolve to keep going. I'm doing it for the both of us now.
righteous
he sounds like a dry drunk doing the same dumb shit he did when he drank
That's great to hear, I feel I get stronger every day.
This is beautiful.
Thanks for sharing this. It's an inspiring story. 🥲
One of the most incredible experiences that a human can have is to realize just how intoxicating sobriety is.
WELL SAID. Respect.
Genuinely. Every time I'm at an event where there are drunk people, I feel sorry for them. They feel the need to drink to belong or to distract and don't realize how much of their surroundings they suppress. These events are brutally stimulating to make up for that. And they think, that alcohol "ehnhances" the experience. Sobriety makes you appreciate everything, alcohol suppresses.
I've been sober for 591 days after drinking for 24 years. For anyone wondering; the hardest part about quitting is deciding to do it. There isn't a moment in quitting that you realize some greater meaning or you get that big reward, you just notice over time that your life is better. It gets easier everyday.
Great for you! Good job.
I noticed this too. Thanks for sharing.
God bless!
Alcohol is way more destructive than we ever give it credit for in the UK. And like many have said, if it was just invented today no way would it be legalized.
@@alanredversangel it was the reason people were conquered in the past. The societies that become centered around the consumption of alcohol are destined to fail.
he gonna drink that beer so fast the second that camera turns off
@@The-Maestro-Bob-Cobb seethe and cope
The only reasons it is legal is because it's been socially accepted for millenia AND because it is extremely easy to produce. I could make some in my backyard with some juice, bread, and sugar.
*Puts on tin foil hat* nah they know exactly what they're doing when they legalize alcohol. It keeps people dumb and depressed.
So glad this video popped up. I had sixteen days sober. Until Christmas Eve. Binged out for 3 days. I feel like shit. Missed Christmas with my family. Same old regrets. I’m really trying and have been watching tons of these types of videos. This one really seems relatable. Thanks for the help Johnny
Hello, I'm 5 days sober and that's a long time for me this year. Honestly, I haven't been able to stay sober longer than a week since I can remember. I'm feeling anxious about the New Year coming in because everyone I know is going to be drinking today. Anyway, your comment is so real and relatable. It made me laugh a bit because this could totally be me tonight (AGAIN). I'm going to try to trooper through today and I'm seriously contemplating going on a drive and staying away from everyone to stay clean from alcohol. Rooting for you :)
I sincerely hope this helps you and I'm serious as a heart attack about it. Your a stranger but I care and you're comment really hit me hard. Don't ever beat yourself up for drinking. And don't ever relapse. Your in charge as long as your sober. Don't feel like it's a war with temptation. Calmly meditate on what you really want. And remember your not gonna relapse. If it's gonna be that bad, YOU have the choice to drink again. Do it if you really want to go down that road again. Focus on what it's gonna feel like the day after. Focus on the guilt and depression that's gonna happen the next day. Smell a sour beer, do anything else. Then focus hard on why you want to drink or not. If u choose to drink a little or binge again you will be in charge of that decision and if you choose to drink, remember your sober when you choose, your not gonna relapse. Your gonna mess up and say you got drunk on purpose this time.
Then stop again. Keep stopping and and remember your in charge. You can try to maintain it for life or you can keep trying. One day sober is a good as a decade my friend. And no need to count everyday.
And another thing is don't be sorry don't be guilty.
Easier said almost impossible to be done.
But people in this world do care and we do recover from alcohol problems.
Be safe be careful and never be hard on yourself.
Be accountable. If you have a problem well continue to keep taking steps to correct it. Don't live one day at a time. It's not supposed to be hard like that.
Live one life at a time is better. And remember u can always try to drink.
Instead of trying to quit.
It's much harder for me to try and drink. I'm a shitty drunk. Or was. A long time ago now.
Have a happy new year and indulge in whatever you want. But if it's causing you pain guilt or shame drop that crap.
Sorry so long I just had to drop a book on ya. Your a stranger but I know how it feels to struggle.
Your the shit tho. You may feel like shit but just think about how much better your gonna feel after a few weeks of not drinking. It will pass. Maybe, that's up to you my good sir.
All Hail Dwight
@@AliciaMoralesespinoza37hey being sober 1 day is just as good as a decade. If you're struggling I hope this helps. If you have went all year and couldn't go a week sober that sounds bad.
But reverse it and say you enjoyed drinking all year and only had to stay sober days to recover. That's better. That's no real problem. Other than your liver maybe. But psychologically no problem. The year was a blast.
I believe in indulgence as long as it doesn't become a serious compulsion. That's for you to decide.
Quit or drink. Don't try. And don't be sorry. Take your time and remember the guilt and depression that will come and outweigh the benefits. So many people try to quit alcohol to early. They really try so hard for the people around them maybe but deep inside they are not ready. They haven't had enough.
Your in charge as long as your sober. Go 7 days next year. Or go all year. You can do this. You're the shit after all whether you know it or not right now. But if you drink, well tomorrow the chances are The Shit
Is gonna feel like shit tomorrow. 😂
Hail Alicia
@@AliciaMoralesespinoza37 yes I spent this New Year’s Eve alone and working. Any other way may have been a danger to my sobriety. I hope you are well tonight! It’s almost that time for Jan 1st and I’m laying in bed with the phone on silent and watching RUclips videos. Just trying to be at peace. It’s lonely, but it’s got to be for now.
@@andyparrish1933 thanks a lot for the reading material and encouragement. I am keeping in my head that it is definitely MY CHOICE to drink, and I will drill it in like you just did. I’ve actually got Johnny quoted on my screen background. Home and Lock Screen says “you don’t need to give up fun to give up drinking, in fact, it’s the other way around”
All I know is new year. Happy to be not drunk, and happy to wake up without a hangover. I do believe this will get easier with the community Johnny is building
Holy shit dude you literally recited the entire past 3 years of my life as a bartender quickly turned severe alcoholic. I lost a lot, but i'm one year sober in 17 days
Congrats on your sober time, I'll be celebrating with you! I'll have 1,000 days sober on May 15.
I started drinking in 2008, as an 18 year old. 7 years later I had seizures, totaled 7 cars in one go, and dislocated my shoulder/severely bruised my shins. After a breakup of a 6 year relationship. All within one week.
I drank HARD for one more year to escape all the repercussions, but it did the opposite. It magnified them.
8 years alcohol-free as of December 2024. It’s not that I don’t want to drink, it’s that I CHOOSE not to. It’s hard almost everyday, but that hard gets easier to manage. Stay strong, everyone. Especially my fellow men, it can be hard for us to express these things so we use substances to escape, but we can ALWAYS talk about it, and we should.
Love to everyone, and I wish you all success ❤
you totaled 7 cars in one go? wtf does that even mean?
@@mvrtinxz650 i think they mean that one car crash totaled 7 other cars, idk if it would be called a car pile up but thats what i would call it.
@@mvrtinxz650 7 car wreck
Proud of you.
This is the most level-headed "get sober" video I've ever seen. Thank you.
Well said. You got out much earlier than me. It took me until my mid 50s until I summoned up the courage to stop. I tried it first a few years earlier, and enjoyed the 6 months alcohol free when I was just gone 50. Then I caved in to the social peer pressure (yes, 50 year olds still experience this - pressure to conform - from people who are supposed to be old enough and clever enough to know better) and I was soon back, as you discovered, back to the daily drinking, "to be sociable". I then had a heart attack aged 52 and I stopped again, for a few weeks, and again of course, it was back on the red-wine and real ale treadmill. Then, in 2021 I decided enough was enough, and stopped again. And stayed stopped. It's the best thing I've ever done. The sense of freedom, personal agency, lack of hangovers. Lack of guilt and the end of the mental gymnastics of negotiating with yourself how much, how often I would allow myself a drink. It's all gone. I'm now free. And it's not boring. What's boring is watching friends descend into drunken scribble talk over the course of a few hours. That's truly dull. And that's time to go home and read a book, paint a picture, play a musical instrument. Do something creative. Not piss it all away down the toilet.
Well said. I'm 54, gave up in March, I feel all the things you mentioned. Well done mate :)
Getting drunk was what my introverted teenage self had in place of a personality
It's what tons of extraverted fucking ADULTS have in place of one, too!
i drunk every day until i started poohing and wetting my pants all the time
Never read something more relatable
@@D3athiscertain yep
@@dirtycelinefrenchman fucks sake yeah thats me right now man. Gonna be 20 this year and ive not felt like a real person for ages.
I appreciate this honesty Jonny. im a struggling alcoholic and an artist / musician. i fell into the trap of drinking alone for escapism. bless you bro.
Me too
Does this mean we're starting a band?
Wow thank you for sharing this. Not a lot of content expresses this level of struggle that resonates with me so much. As a creative I have similar experiences with drinking. Often thinking that alcohol will help me achieve my true emotions but it’s a dark and unproductive cycle of self deceit.
Hi my name is Summer and I am an alcoholic. I already liked your no-nonsense minimalist style of narration with beautiful/interesting backgrounds - but this genuine and vulnerable video post made my day. As of this comment, I have been clean and sober for 3 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days. During the pandemic I nearly drank myself to-death, but fortunately I found a program that saved my life (yes, the one you are thinking of) and am forever grateful. my life has done a 180; I am the healthiest, happiest, and most creative that I have EVER been in my life and there's no looking back. All of my love and light to anyone reading this who has lost hope; there is a way out and I am living proof. Blessings to you all!
With love,
💗
Amen Summer. Glad your well and appreciating the changes. mentally and physically
Life is good.
God bless!
Congratulations, Summer. Glad you found hope and recovery.
Okay I’m serious, my algorithm has been showing me a lot of videos on why to quit alcohol. I click them every once in a while because I feel myself going down this path… your video has been the most inspiring to me so far, like I actually want to take action, I want to take it seriously. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so happy you’re enjoying life now 🙏🏼
Love the big shift in focus on alcohol that January brings. What's even more encouraging is seeing more and more young people today stopping drinking and being big on the harms it brings.
Hey mate. Commenting from the great planes of Iowa, United States of America. I really appreciated this video and your narative. I never went out when I was drinking, just stayed home, deleting bottles. I've no desire to drink any longer, praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow. Life is better without constantly poisioning yourself. In the same way one begins consuming as a respite from reality, one experiences the sober mind like a light illuminating a dark chasm of drunken disorientation. Cheers from across the pond, I'm proud of you brother. God bless.
I’ve only had alcohol once or twice, but I used to smoke every day. I started smoking because I was writing a novel, and I wanted one of the characters to be a stoner. I strived for my descriptions of highs to be authentic, so I got high just for that purpose; I quite literally did it for the plot. I endlessly chased that weed-induced haze after trying it once. I never finished that novel, but now I’m sober and writing a new book with a better plot that depicts the pains of addiction. Maybe one day you’ll see my book on a library shelf like I see your RUclips videos on my recommended page. (I recognize that weed isn’t as addictive as alcohol and often isn’t depicted as anything serious. However, I relate to the way you described addiction in this video, regardless of the differences between weed and alcohol.) Much love from America :)
@@madelynfass4546 nah man that weed can really get a grip on you, it did me🤦
Weed can be a much bigger problem than the user will admit to. It was for me. Well done from the UK!
@@markcurtis5265 Booze makes weed look like ginger beer, man ;)
@@markcurtis5265 so can being sober...
@@markcurtis5265It's really not, if weed was legal the whole time absolutely no one would point to it as a social ill. Fast food, chips & sugary drinks are far more dangerous to your health and more addictive
It truly is a boring pass time for artists, it's hard to remember new avenues of theory and harder to apply them
I’m 4 years sober. You’re very wise for being this young to figure it out. I kept it up for 20 years
Was 33 years for me and now 3 years and 7 months sober. I now feel like I was unconscious that whole time
My 5th day sober. This video helping me keep it that way. Cheers from America
@ben9975 got luck keep going
7th here! We got this!!
It really gives me a huge boost when I see others talking about this. One month sober today, I'm getting so much more creative work done as well with all the free time.
Well done! Hope you keep it up!
Thanks for this, all these feelings are somewhat easy for the people close to you to notice on the bad nights but like you said it’s an invisible prison, it doesn’t look like the worst thing on earth until you’re locked inside
Takes a lot of courage to make a video like this. Good for you in making the positive changes you needed in your life regarding this habit.
This video is nice. The length is what drew me to it. It is shot well and feels like we are sitting together talking about this. It helped. A lot. Thank you
This is a spectacular way of explaining the most common form of modern alcoholism.
Alcoholism is no joke. It killed my mom, my favorite uncle and almost got my brother before he quit, thank God. Don't underestimate alcohol. In fact, it is best to never partake in my opinion. 30:26 is amazing advice.
I'm 34 and I've been drinking for 16 years and have been extremely aware of it for the past few years. I have so many passions that I have placed to the side forever. My soul has been asleep for and long time and your video is helping me come to my senses once and for all. Thank you.
So much you said described me as well, especially the guilt .Worrying if something bad happened to my elderly parents and how could I help them in that condition. I'd smoke some along with it and then,...then I'd really feel bad and so damn disappointed with myself. It's been about a week now and I found one in the back of the frig and drank it with my dinner and it tasted really awful. I'm hoping I can leave this all behind forever. Over the last couple years I have dumped so many cans of beer down the drain probably a couple 30 packs due to my guilt and disappointment with myself. Thanks for this post, it's exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life .I've done the same with posts on my phone and I have to go back and apologize for my posts and lying and making up lies to clear myself.Im real fed up with myself. I'm now more aware of my need for a change. Thanks for posting, God bless and take care. 👍
Try to keep clear for a week, at least during the work days. And if you get to drink, try not to feel guilty about it, we're human. Anyways, keep trying!
"You can't see the crisps! We had three different flavors of crisps! And Scotch eggs!" See that was your problem. You became a proper alcoholic because you didn't have the crisps.
Seriously though I didn't think I'd watch this whole thing, never seen your content before, but every word hit home for me. I was exactly like you and just finally coming out of it these past couple weeks. This was really inspiring and affirming. Cheers!
hey Jonny, bloody love you mate, been smashing through your vids of late, just the voice I needed in my ear right now, really resonates deeply, very inspiring as someone obsessed with art, particularly music, but drive myself bonkers by never making anything, or following ideas thru, out of ego of course-fear/perfectionism yadayada and so forth, but also simply scorching my reward systems and attention span through addictive patterns has really got in the way as well, and left a lot of shite unprocessed, kinda lost my teens and half my twenties to it, booze, herb, nicotine, screen media, shit food, preferably all at once...had a lot of mental knots associating creativity and counter-culture i love with troublesome habits and extreme lifestyles, though that’s all come from a very different moment and doesn’t really apply, of course I could get a lot out of fun and novelty and soothing out of that personal blend of instant gratifcation copium but at great cost, and naturally, pain outweighs pleasure with overuse in the end, but addiction’s a tireless lil monster, the main killer in my family free, been a shitfight to get off it all, and still is, but the longer I'm sober the higher I get, the more feelings that need to surface are allowed to, moments of deep inner connection, fine feelings, helpful thoughts, that I used to chase with substances arrive organically and with purity that can only come when not forced…and hard stuff isn’t being suppressed so much that it’s never looked at, not sure what the point is exactly here but good on ya man, appreciate you and your vids a lot
Yeah I feel you massively especially on the associating counter culture with bad habits. I thought I was "cool" because I wasn't sober and that sobriety was for dorks.
Thanks for the video. I’m sober 12 yrs. I’ve never heard the prologue to giving up described in such a great way. It’s all individual, but you really resonated with me and my story. Well done fella - not an easy video to make. And thank you. I never leave comments, but had to on this one.
I loved how you explain how it is I feel the same way. Doing dry January but am now considering just going longer. I'm sick of how I feel the day after drinking it to the point where my brain just says NO MORE. Thank you for making this video. I also notice even a couple drinks throws off my mood and energy the next day it's like I'm now hyper aware of the side effects it has on me and I'm tired of it and don't wanna get liver issues or harm my brain any more, especially since I enjoy having good reflexes and energy. Alcohol takes all that away but luckily the body can bounce back. I just gotta be patient
Jesus, I have not resonated with what someone has gone through as much I have with your experiences, I think, ever. Hitting the hammer on every single head, really. My poison of choice has always been cannabis. Fantastic stuff and I've always been enamored with it. Been 8 years now (4 of those years pretty much daily vaping, no smoking at least) and yeah, life sure isn't as innocent as it used to be. It just gradually became a very safe habit for me, to the point where getting high really wasn't the goal (nor was it really possible due to the tolerance) but just the action itself was what I "needed". It ended up controlling my life and me just sort of being complacent with it controlling my life. Accepting the fact that I was a "stoner" and sort of organizing my life around that and like you said, taking priority over many-many things. Really glad I found your channel a couple of weeks back, you're very pleasant to listen to.
Best of luck to you, man!
Hey man really great video! I have been sober for a year and was thinking that I could go back to having a drink but your video has just reminded me! Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your honesty, it makes me happy to see people make good change for themselves. Most everyone has a vice that they struggle with whether they acknowledge it or not. Even though mine isn't alcohol or substance related, mentally effects are the same. In the future, your wise words will help me stave off that voice encouraging fruitless behavior, as you called it "the call from the void".
Good on you for filming such a raw, passionate chat for 30 minutes in one take, that's what I call some quality content!
This comment section is one of the best i've seen in my years on the internet, it restores some of my faith in humanity.
Many thanks, wishing everyone here the best in their battles!
I really fucking enjoyed your monologue but there's no way I'm giving up drinking, I love it.
Clicked for the title, stayed for the whole video. I've went through something similar, and I appreciate the honesty. Keep it real!
Good on you for being open and vulnerable. I’m nearly at 1yr as I type and a lot of what you said resonated with me. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up!
that feeling of being pulled towards something, no matter how much you may have hated it before, or no matter how stupid you feel reaching for it again is universal. once you have associated that happy feeling with whatever stupid thing pulling onto you, it is more than hard to let go. I get so angry at myself every time I smoke but yet I find myself wanting more of it the moment my attention span forgets about it. I would have hated who I am now, and I am so utterly disappointed in myself.
I was getting drunk Friday nights and thought this was ok. Danger Will Robinson!! Withdrawal takes more than a week even though you don't feel like you've got a hangover your system still needs time to heal. Take it easy!
We live in the easiest times to get addicted, life is easier to miss than ever
I think introspective discussions (that hurt to get out out loud) really do help and I know this video definitely helped
Thank you for this video. I'm a recovering heroin addict myself but I have been to rehab many times and met many people dealing with alcohol dependency issues. Alcoholism has fascinated me because it seems, in its own way, very different from my particular addiction due to how normal and easily available alcohol is.
When it comes to the "sober guy" in the bar, many would've thought that was me. I have never enjoyed alcohol or the feeling of being drunk. I am frequently the designated driver in just about all situations. Even when I was actively using, shooting black every 3-4 hours, I was still the guy drinking water at the bar. But there I was thinking the people drinking were the boring ones! I'm still learning who I am without the needle though. Best of luck to you, it is definitely a journey not a destination. Much love
I quit drinking a few years ago and clicked on this video to hear abput someone elses success story. I didnt expect it to wake me up to my problems i have with weed. Its painful but when you said "its the concern thats the issue" it made everything click. I hope my life improves even more now
In regards to family (gran) knowing you had a problem - I bet she's really proud of you for taking action to better yourself and being able to discuss it in a candid way.
This video was just randomly recommended too me so figured i would give it a watch. I'm 27 from BC Canada, my story is quite similar and I myself quit 7 months ago as well! Battled for years to get where i am. There is so much more to life then getting fucking wasted 5 days+ a week. Feeling the best I ever have and can't even stand the thought of drinking again. Drinking has been so normalized amongst the youth and it's straight from the devil man. Should be illegal. Seems like there's a wave of young people waking up to it and I'm so grateful to be apart of it! Love to hear your story man and keep at it!!
Also in BC Canada, Kelowna! Great job on your sobriety my friend ✊🏼
Beautiful speech, mate! Was a pleasure listening to what you're saying. For me it's almost 2 years sober now after more than 30 years of drinking and using. Life is so much better now. Thank you! Take care.
Thanks for sharing. I’m currently back at two weeks sober and had to really wrestle myself to stay in tonight (the Saturday before Christmas). I got sober at the beginning of this year for New Years and made it about 5 months before I relapsed. I immediately ended up right back where I was after feeling happier than I had in years before that. All summer and fall, I kept delaying getting sober again, until I finally managed to do it again for fear of some health issues I’d been having. Even these past two weeks, and likely for the remainder of this year I’ll have the same thoughts about wanting to go out with a bang and just start again in the new year. But it just feels so empty and pointless, that I’d rather keep the head start that I have going and prove to myself I can get my first Christmas and new years sober under my belt. I really don’t wanna make the same mistake as last time and go back because it’s no way to live the way I do when I’m not sober.
Wow!
We’re on almost exactly the same trajectory.
I quit for almost 4 months earlier this year and I’m almost 2 weeks now and decided to spend Christmas and New Year alone at home and just cook something nice and make some music and look after myself.
Haha nice! That’s awesome 👏 best of luck to you and happy holidays!
The most UK punk I've seen in years. Thanks for sharing your soul, you're a beautiful person.
Hey man. Absolutely bang on with this, particularly the part about not having to be on skid row to be an alcoholic. I used alcohol to maintain my fake personality and generally to be popular and be part of the in crowd. In my teens and twenties if I wasnt drinking id have been a loner, and id have been labelled that by my friends. That I wasnt fun anymore or that I was boring. Im 48 now and stopped drinking completely in June 2021, having had my last pint outside the worlds end pub in Edinburgh. The large majority of my friends were still into drugs and alcohol, and ive just let them slip away. I feel like ive found my feet and that I dont know any of them anymore. I suffer from very strong social anxiety and have a diagnosis of CPTSD from repeated trauma as a child. I fell into drinking and various drugs as a teenager, the first time I got really drunk I was 13 years old. Its only as an adult that ive realised that I was drinking to be able to engage with my friends, or indeed to engage with anyone. When drunk I thought I was the life and soul and I had the confidence and bravado to talk to anyone. I could attract girls, make new friends and was very popular. Without alcohol I shrunk back to being a damaged little boy and simply could not function without that three pint minimum for the confident me to come out. Now over three years sober im on my own most of the time, but exercise, good diet, fresh air and mindfulness are really helping me to start liking myself as I am. If its awkward or strange with my old friends and they dont have the time for me anymore without that crutch then theyre frankly not worth knowing. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression and its as if all my emotions and development ive been hiding from all these years have caught up with me, but that really is a good thing. I feel ive gone back to zero and can now rebuild and slowly make new friends that arent surrounded by booze and drugs, with people that like who I am without all that crap. Its extremely difficult but I urge anyone feeling this way to do the same. It gets better and as hard as its been, I do feel Im turning a corner now and feeling much better with who I am, and also feeling pride in having got this far. Congrats on your sobriety man and thanks for your honesty and putting it out there in a video. Seeing things like this is enlightening and validates that I made the right decision. All the best to you!
Saying thank you from the US. Great post. I needed the reminder. And also, Faulty Towers is the best. 🙏🙏🙏
completely agree with you man, i recently decided to do a similar thing and cut my drinking and smoking back to only weekends and everything feels like when i was a teenager again, i thought i just grew out of that childlike feeling of wonder and joy but it was really substance abuse taking that feeling from me, i feel alive again, and im glad you do too brother. good luck on your journey man.
Everything feels so much more spiritual and connected to the universe when sober in my opinion- like my spiritual eye opened as the fog of alcohol slowly lifted
I'm still pretty early in my recovery journey, I'm at the point where I can get a week or two off but have a hard time getting past that. This video really helped me not want to go get alcohol today, thank you
The absolute man for being vulnerable and educating the populace. 🙏
Man, this resonates so much with me. I've been struggling with this for over quite a decade, and I am just about to turn 30 in February. I hate drinking at this point, but it's what I do to feel normal. As we speak, having a drink now. The times I have stopped drinking, I have felt so much more alive and better, but the drink is like a devil on your shoulder and you think you can handle it again and then go right back to it. Just like you said... and the cycle repeats.
I'm 17, i live in california, and my issue has been with weed for the past four years and not alchohol, but i can relate to so many of the experiences youre describing here. ive been giving going sober a solid shot for a week, im so sick of my own bullshit i keep making these exuses to justify it, its tough, its tough eating its tough sleeping it's tough staying friends with people its rough having to truly exist with myself and not have that barrier that saved me from my head. i feel like my biggest issue is running from myself, wether it be weed, drinking, mushrooms, pills, or shallow relationships other people who dont care about me, i have such a hard time existing and being so conscious of myself, but i know i cant keep fixing it with things that arent getting better. thanks for this video.
I can relate on many levels, never got to the drinking on my own stage but drinking when socialising became too normal on a regular daily basis. Some fun times admittedly but when it all blends in together it becomes dull very quickly. In the UK there is a problem that isn't addressed. Kids on the continent don't have half as many issues as we do. Why is that? Another problem is people not realising that they have an issue and brush it off or worse get fairly verbally aggressive if you question their drinking habits at all. Also the social exclusion of people who choose to drink sensibly or not at all. I'm glad i can now have a pint or two once a month or even once every 6-8 months, enjoy it and not crave, care or want more. I'm not a teetotaler but can happily go months and sometimes forget when i last had a drink. Well done for this video, takes a lot to be so honest.
"it just was what you‘d do"
this really resonated with me. it was the exact same in our friend group with weed….it went from having a fun time hanging out together to just us smoking and it started loosing the initial spark and just became normal (boring) but you would just do it because…..after a while we wouldnt even hang out anymore cause everyone was just smoking alone cause it went from being something that we would do on special occasions to something that you just do all the time and the why, where and with whom became irrelevant (ofc this had to do with the addiction itself too).
it wasnt making you high either…it was just to be in a normal state and would just make me tired at the end of the day.
wishing everyone who struggles with addiction lots of strength.
Great video mate. I can whole-heartedly relate to everything youve said. Especially when you mentioned working in pubs. Really is a horrible cycle
I'm going to try your technique tomorrow morning, 1st Jan 2025. I've stopped and started a million times, and overthink it continually. I'll keep a glass of vile, acrid wine and each time I get the urge I'll smell it. I PRAY seeing this video is a sign and, finally, I can make that psychic shift. Thanks.
The frustration in your tone makes you hilarious. Especially with the hair
Did the repetitive actions you're talking about knowing it was bad an consciously aware. over and over and over. Id have so much guilt and shame from saying things that shouldn't have been revealed, scared to go on my phone cause of like idk 5 possible scenarios I've could've said to someone. It was horrible, all the time was horrible. Im only bout to be 90 days sober but I look back still ashamed of some of the things I got myself into. I haven't finished this video yet but everything you've said really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing this
3 months is brilliant man! Keep going I believe in ya!
Thank you Jonny for sharing your story.
Quit at the end of August after a particularly nasty outburst at someone I cared for. That was a red line moment after a few years of problem drinking. Leaving it behind was the second best thing that happened to me in 2024. Don't miss that poison one bit. And man, the fucking checking the phone the morning after was always the worst. Thanks for sharing.
Your story resonates with me. Thank you for sharing.
To have this mentality in your mid 20s is very impressive! Bravo, my friend, bravo 👏
I love you all
You're stories are encouragment.
Thsnk you for sharing.
I watched this a few days ago and can't get it out of my head. I am a good 20 years older than you but you were saying the things that have been kicking around in my head for most of those years. Watched the whole thing and just couldn't get over how similar our thoughts are. I've heard testimonials before, but never felt a connection like this where it literally felt like talking in the mirror. Thanks for just saying it. I haven't had a drink for those 4 days now, and though I have stopped for 2 days, a week, and once somehow did 6 months, this time actually feels different. Cheers.
keep it up
Listening to your story I felt so sad but also got a good laugh the whole way through. Thank you, I will give it another shot (also never felt compelled to comment on a youtube video before)
I really appreciate your comments about not ‘quitting forever’, as the fear of such an absolute has consistently held me back from making changes I know I need. It’s frustrating because you know it’s a silly impulse, but some stubborn part of you is still indignant about it being a permanent decision. I like the idea of stealing that finality’s punch by just saying ‘right now’. There’s no reason ‘right now’ can’t be forever, and there’s something comforting to me about that. Thanks man.
Thanks for your honesty. I had the same problem years ago. I haven't had any alcohol since 1998. Though I too don't swear that I'll never drink again. I'm just not drinking anything today. To be honest, after years of sobriety, that's an easy decision to make. But I'm not complacent either. I wouldn't drink zero-alcohol beer for that reason. But to each their own. Be careful and good luck.
One year sober today.
This is me with cannabis. Thank you for your insights.
thank you so much for this video, your content is incredibly inspiring
For me the smell of a freshly opened can of beer is the best thing there is... and I have been sober for a while. Its the - sleepless nights, the feeling of shame and anxiety, the feeling of being lazy , inert piece of shit... constant head aches that i get flash backs of.
this video is real and raw and what more people should see so keep at it!
Good on you mate. Love from Australia.
This was really well worded. I smoke the green stuff. It comes with withdrawals. Sometimes, I would go weeks smoking because I can't take along enough break from anything, and the withdrawals are bad for me. Just quit the other day, and of course, YT is showing me all this stuff
Lmao my guy I'm on your same time right now! What do we do?
This is such an incredible video.
Thank you.
God bless !
thank you for sharing man. I'm struggling with my addictions myself and I can't keep going on this way
The aesthetic of this video is incredible
I'm way younger than you, live in a way different place and for me it's not alcohol, mainly, but the way you've described addiction is so insanely accurate to what I experience. I might trust you and quit, just because it seems you where in my place and you might be right about "the other side"
Your Journey mirrors my own.
It’s important for people to realise/remember, being sober and in full charge of your faculties is the most powerful and entertaining headspace to be in.
Life is a gift.
Get on it.
I went a week without a drop, and somehow I ran into this video as a beer is sitting on my desk. A week seems easy right? Not when it comes from everyday trying to escape reality. Its not easy or everyone would do it right? At 27 I've realized its done more harm than good and honestly I'm tired of feeling like shit. A major turning point was realizing and accepting I'm an alcoholic. No ifs, ands or buts about it and no one to blame but myself. Take "drink responsibly" to heart because it has taken many.
my go to is/was 3 or more $2 25oz 8.1% alc./vol. Theyre called hurricanes, ironic right? They make you open up and have fun until it settles in to late and your like a deer in headlights.
The hardest part about trying to sober up is how bad it feels trying to normalize into soceiety cause your headspace is already so dark
i wish i had friend like u irl
thank you for sharing this. i hope you know how powerful it can be to relate to someone who is being so open about themself so personally. i know il be thinking about this for a long time. thanks and power to u
I'm not ready for this video yet ❤
Good video bro, very honest and open of you.
I've just hit 3 months and it's a deadset struggle everyday, my life has become so much more boring and I don't know what makes me happy anymore. Nor do I have motivation to do any of the things that I used to enjoy. I don't really know what I enjoy anymore. It's tough, I hope to find your level of positivity someday soon.
you decribed it well. People who drink usually think that true alcoholism is having extreme withdrawals and shaking in the morning and whatnot. It's not. It's when you realize that alcohol is a barrier in your life and you also can't picture yourself without alcohol, because it's such a huge factor in your life.I took an entire year of not drinking before having an N/A beer. I really how much I missed the taste of beer, not the booze. Like you said your life doesnt fundamentally change but the way you experience it and process it changes dramatically, along with your health. I'm gong 4 years sober, you need to congratulate yourself for being so mature to realize these issues in your life, at such a young age. you're good to go
I relate heavily with your story. Especially with drinking to feel something. I never had a problem with liquor until I got injured. I used to run, box, do kick boxing practice etc, but once I got injured I lost everything. I had to drop out of school, quit my job, and quit the hobbies that made me like living. All gone at once. So I turned to alcohol to cope and would just drink and smoke pot every day watching bullshit and playing games just to pass the days while I waited to heal. Some of it never really healed too. Once it was done healing as much as it could without surgery, I still drank. That shit stuck with me for like 3 years. Couldn't go a day without drinking.
As of now, it's been over a year without booze. I did enjoy Beer and Sake. I hope to one day be able to drink them again without being afraid of falling to addiction. I don't think I am ready for alcohol again though. Gotta have a reason to break my current streak anyway.
Had this problem in my early 20s. Mid 20s-30 I switched alcohol for weed. Seemed a lot better but basically the same issues for me. Such a great video. Thank you 🙏🏻 new subscriber
Hey Jonny thanks for these videos I enjoy them so much. I was wondering if you would ever make a video on the prevalence of p*rn in society now. I feel like it’s honestly ruined society as well as the meaning of a loving relationship. Would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Keep doing what you’re doing! Happy holidays
@@UserOne-cj2sc I'd be down for it I have many thoughts on this, but the idea of my grandparents watching a video where I talk about porn freaks me out loool
@ hahaha totally get it! No worries at all
Very eloquently put. A very brave and honest video.
Parts of your story really resonated with my nicotine addiction. I think some of it applies to all kinds of addiction. It's really fascinating, before you know it something becomes the new normal and you don't even know you're addicted until you're left without it or try to quit.
I'm 29 years old and have never experienced anything like when quitting nicotine recently. I would never believe I'd be better off without it, but I've seriously experience a sort of "high" when sober that I can't compare with anything else. Super interesting. Since I quit I've been much more productive, creative, emotional and alive. 10/10 would recommend (although might be difficult in the first days if you got work or similar at that moment).
The worst part is how engrained it is in our society, in our values. Conviviality in a bottle. The social pressure is constant, down to every time you go shop for groceries and have to walk past the spirits aisle. In the meantime, you can get in trouble with the law for a joint. I'm not going to try to say that weed is innocuous, but while it's treated like a dangerous drug, there's an even more dangerous drug that's just available everywhere and even encouraged... Thanks for the video, man, one more nail in the coffin of my drinking habit.
Earned a sub mate! I’ve never related more to a video… could not have been said better
god i was watching a silly video of a guy day drinking and smoking at the park right before this, and now it all became so serious. im 19 and i think i drank for the first time at 15 maybe. in the beginning it was something i did maybe once every two months and it was always this great quest and amazing nights that i thought back on for weeks after. when i turned 18 i could legally buy 3.5% alcoholic beer (sweden) and i started having one sometimes as a treat for doing school work while still in high school. then that turned into a glass of wine when i needed to calm down and center myself to write in my journal. i was struggling with body issues and a lot of anxiety while starting art school at that age but because art kids drink a lot i could almost romanticise it. it became something beautiful in my mind. now im turning 20 in a month so its been a while since then and ive only became more and more used to drinking. its almost a habit. something you could gather friends and do any night of the week. even though i know it can cause cancer just like smoking and i feel guilty for smoking, and even though i know alcohol ruins your brain when i know i would love to study more complex things in the future, i have a hard time not drinking anytime it would be kind of socually acceptable. i was out this friday and got home at like 6 am from an after party and i was so tired from that night and from also partying almost all of january, for literally no reason, but then i found a giant glass of wine that was left from when me and my friends got ready and mine on friday and i had it anyway. but i barely felt anything. im 19 but my tolerance has built so much. i just feel so uncomfortable with that. i dont like how comfortable i am with having a glass or two or three or four or even more just whenever, but it also makes me so happy. i get such a deep dopamine rush (i think) when i decide to have some. and what is that if not treating myself? hedonism? why should hedonism be so bad if it is in moderation? the ancient greeks had a wine god, dionysus, also the god of fertility and rebirth/life. i think i justify my drinking by seeing it as something historical and very human, like i am the same as the people who lived so long back. and thats cool i guess but its also not a justification if this were to become a problem in the future. which i am scared it might. i dont want my family to ever think that. i dont want to ever accidentally peer pressure or make day drinking or drinking many nights a week seem like something normal and expected to my friends, so that they might get alcohol problems. and i would never want treatment for it. i could not do that. I have younger siblings as well. two little girls. they look up to me so much. they havent seen me partying though. i dont ever want to scare or worry them. blah blah thats it i dont have anything more to say, i dont think anyone will read this either but it felt good to articulate
Was in the same position for the past few years. 8 months sober and enjoying things much more these days.
I used to get pass out drunk all the time, it was just how I fell asleep. Over the years, hangovers got worse and I got tired of hearing about what blacked out me did the night before. I just chilled out over the years. Now I drink maybe a few times a year. Could be playing with fire, but thats just how it is.