Bottled Up: Help for families of alcoholics and those struggling with alcoholism

Bottled Up
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Alcoholism and problem drinking is a destructive force, but help is at hand. Join experts Dr. John McMahon and Lou Lewis for kitchen table conversations offering help, advice, coping strategies and encouragement for both people who live with an alcoholic (problem drinker) and people who suffer from alcohol addiction. Alcohol can break up families and we know that living with an alcoholic partner is a stressful situation. At Bottled Up we teach people how to cope with and survive living with an alcoholic. We also help problem drinkers with their addiction with advice and strategies. We provide a program that was devised by Dr John McMahon, who was an alcoholic, and Lou Lewis, his wife, a trained relationship counsellor and who was married to an alcoholic for 29 years. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com and email info@bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Q&A - Talking to teenagers, Jekyll & Hyde drinker, dealing with denial

    2D AGO

    Q&A - Talking to teenagers, Jekyll & Hyde drinker, dealing with denial

    In this episode John and Lou answer your questions. They look at the question of talking to a person in denial about their drinking, the changes in a drinker, talking to teenage children about their parent's drinking. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour. For 1-2-1 counselling with John visit: https://bottled-up.com/1-to-1/ Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  2. Help! My friend has a drink problem

    MAY 11

    Help! My friend has a drink problem

    Talking to a friend about their drinking can be very difficult. You may worry about upsetting them, damaging the friendship, or pushing them away entirely. Often you are also not in the strongest position as a friend – you may not have enough contact to influence as much as you would like, or you may not be able galvanise people into acting together. In this episode, John and Lou discuss how to approach these conversations carefully and constructively. They talk about setting boundaries, explaining how someone’s drinking affects others, recognising when drinking changes a person’s behaviour, and why support and encouragement are effective rather than shaming a person. Lou and John explore why it can help to speak with other friends or family members first, the importance of avoiding confrontation and choosing the right moment, and how suggesting alternatives to alcohol-centred socialising can make a difference. For 1-2-1 counselling with John visit: https://bottled-up.com/1-to-1/ Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  3. Living with a binge drinker - how to cope

    MAY 4

    Living with a binge drinker - how to cope

    Living with a binge drinker often feels impossible. It can leave you constantly on edge, scanning for the next crisis. You will probably experience hypervigilance and catastrophising as drinking cycles repeat unpredictably. In this episode Lou and John help you recognise the difference between real concerns and imagined fears, and encourage you to be kind to yourself. Lou talks of avoiding rehearsing worst-case scenarios and speaks of her own experience that “strength will be given when needed,”. John and Lou also advise you on practical coping strategies. By building support, setting boundaries, and planning ahead, you can steady yourself and navigate the uncertainty with greater resilience. For 1-2-1 counselling with John visit: https://bottled-up.com/1-to-1/ Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  4. 3 Strategies To Change Your Life

    APR 27

    3 Strategies To Change Your Life

    In this episode Lou and John outline three key strategies to help change your life when living with an alcoholic. STOP doing things which don't work. START taking care of yourself. Get SUPPORT. These strategies will improve your life, they may also start to bring about change in your drinker. We know how tough it is, but it is possible, and these strategies work. Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For 1-2-1 counselling with John visit: https://bottled-up.com/1-to-1/ For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  5. How to detach from a drinker - you MUST do this!

    APR 20

    How to detach from a drinker - you MUST do this!

    In this episode, Lou and John talk about how to detach from your drinker. Detachment is essential to leading a more stable, healthy and happy life, even if your drinker's state is not improving. John and Lou explain how “learned helplessness” can trap you, making change feel impossible, and why detaching from a drinker's behaviour — not the person — breaks that cycle. Detachment helps you step back from emotional chaos, protect your wellbeing, and regain control of your actions. By setting boundaries, changing patterns, and refusing to engage with destructive behaviour, you empower yourself. Crucially, they stress looking after yourself first—your health, dignity, and peace—so you can live freely, regardless of the drinker’s choices. In the words of our producer, "detachment is the single most important thing I ever did". Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For 1-2-1 counselling with John visit: https://bottled-up.com/1-to-1/ For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  6. You are not to blame!

    APR 13

    You are not to blame!

    We have said it before, but it needs repeating - you are not to blame for an alcoholic's drinking. Drinker's are adults who make their own decisions. But living with a problem drinker can cause you to search for answers, which result with you believing you are to blame. By blaming yourself you will probably feel ashamed – again you must not take on this burden. It destroys your confidence, your self-worth and can prevent you from living your life to the full. You have done nothing wrong. In this episode join Lou and John as they discuss why people living with an alcoholic can feel so bad about themselves and how to fix this. You are not to blame and you should feel no shame! For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers.  John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  7. Tough love. Let the negatives happen!

    APR 5

    Tough love. Let the negatives happen!

    Let the negatives happen. We've said it before, we'll say it again! It sounds counter intuitive to being a caring person who has spent a long time trying to cope with their drinker's addiction – and the all-consuming fallout. But if an alcoholic does not appreciate the negative consequences of their drinking then there is no reason for them to change. Think of it as tough love. In this episode Lou and John talk through this strategy for change, based on scientific evidence, of how people change, and that by letting the negatives happen, you can influence change in an alcoholic. Let the negatives happen is part of the acronym L.O.V.E. which can be heard in our previous podcast (episode 24) they're innovative and bold, and might take a little getting used to! Let the negatives happen Optimise time together Value your drinker Encourage change Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers.  John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  8. STOP Pleading with your drinker

    MAR 29

    STOP Pleading with your drinker

    You're not doing anything wrong, but STOP PLEADING with a drinker. It won't work for you as it will leave you hurt and emotionally exhausted. Pleading also leaves the drinker feeling even more guilty. This can actually drive them to drink more. A drinker doesn't need reminding of how bad they are, but actually the potential they have to be a good person. IN any other circumstances your behaviours might work, but remember, you're pleading with a person who has an addiction. In this new series Lou and John look at Stop Policing the drinker. One of the four Ps (Picking a fight, Punishing, Policing and Pleading). They do not work, so don't do them. If your words aren't getting through to a drinker, you may well take action. Through anxiety this action often comes in the form of Policing the drinking. Searching for alcohol around the house? Every family member has probably done that! Negotiating with a drinker? You may well have done so – trying to limit the amount of alcohol in the house, or drunk in the pub. All your reactions and behaviour are entirely understandable, but, they do not work on the drinker, and they can leave you feeling tired, anxious, exhausted, hypervigilant, depressed, or hopeless. Policing doesn't work, so don't do it. Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go". For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years. Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers. John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min
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Alcoholism and problem drinking is a destructive force, but help is at hand. Join experts Dr. John McMahon and Lou Lewis for kitchen table conversations offering help, advice, coping strategies and encouragement for both people who live with an alcoholic (problem drinker) and people who suffer from alcohol addiction. Alcohol can break up families and we know that living with an alcoholic partner is a stressful situation. At Bottled Up we teach people how to cope with and survive living with an alcoholic. We also help problem drinkers with their addiction with advice and strategies. We provide a program that was devised by Dr John McMahon, who was an alcoholic, and Lou Lewis, his wife, a trained relationship counsellor and who was married to an alcoholic for 29 years. The Bottled Up program is innovative and advocates that the partners of alcoholics can introduce changes to their lives, which will empower them and influence their drinkers to change. If you live with an alcoholic partner, or are looking for help to quit drinking, then Bottled Up is for you. For more help and advice visit www.bottled-up.com and email info@bottled-up.com For advertising and sponsorship opportunities email info@snapper-films.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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