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. STOP Pleading with your drinker

    4D AGO

    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
  2. STOP Policing your drinker - how to deal with an alcoholic

    MAR 23

    STOP Policing your drinker - how to deal with an alcoholic

    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.

    8 min
  3. STOP Punishing the drinker - how to deal with an alcoholic

    MAR 16

    STOP Punishing the drinker - how to deal with an alcoholic

    In a new series Lou and John look at Stop Punishing the drinker. It might be what you want to do and it is probably understandable! But, it will only cause an alcoholic to feel more ashamed and often assists them in justifying their drinking. Known as the four Ps, they are Picking a fight, Punishing, Policing and Pleading. They do not work, so don't do them. 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.

    7 min
  4. STOP Picking a fight - how to deal with an alcoholic

    MAR 9

    STOP Picking a fight - how to deal with an alcoholic

    In this new series, Lou and John address the things you should never do with a drinker. First up, stop picking a fight with a problem drinker. You won't win, there could be unforeseen consequences for you and the drinker, and you will only feel worse about yourself. A new series in which John and Lou talk about the stopping doing things that don't work. Known as the four Ps, they are Picking a fight, Punishing, Policing and Pleading. They do not work, so don't do them. 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.

    10 min
  5. What I wish I had known - Recovery

    MAR 2

    What I wish I had known - Recovery

    In this episode John talks to Lou about what he wishes he had known about the early stages of recovery. Lou and John explore John’s thirties as an “alcoholic motorway”: chaos everywhere, seemingly no exits, and denial hardened into identity. John recalls losing his marriage to drink, then ironically treating separation as permission to drink “like a gentleman” (he didn't). John shares the fear many problem drinkers hold—“If I stop, then what?”—believing sobriety would be empty despair, even that he’d “used up” his happiness. Early sobriety was hard, but support revealed life after alcohol. A turning point came when he thought, “I wouldn’t mind having me as a friend.” Recovery brought real freedom, purpose, adventure, and a new life. 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.

    14 min
  6. What I wish I had known - the warning signs

    FEB 23

    What I wish I had known - the warning signs

    In this episode of the series "What I wish I'd known", Lou talks to John as he reflects on the early indicators of his problem drinking. John describes how denial appeared as the belief he could change “tomorrow” — a tomorrow that never arrived. As his peers matured, he remained stuck, deliberately choosing environments where heavy drinking was normal. John explains how comparing himself to other problem drinkers and adjusting his surroundings didn’t just mask the problem — they actively suppressed insight and reinforced denial. John reflects on wishing he had recognised the moment when alcohol became the most important thing in his life — and acted upon it then. 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
  7. What I wish I had known - during my marriage

    FEB 16

    What I wish I had known - during my marriage

    In this episode in our new series "What I Wish I Had Known", Lou and John reflect on being married to a problem drinker and the painful dance which often takes place between the spouse and their partner as they try to navigate addiction. Lou shares how appealing to her husband’s love often furthered his guilt deepening his shame and triggered further bingeing. John explains that addiction is less a binary choice between alcohol and a partner, and more about escaping emotional pain. They explore affirming the sober identity while hating the drink. Themes include boundaries, hope, shame, affirmation, identity, and routes to recovery. 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
  8. What I wish I had known - at the start of our relationship

    FEB 9

    What I wish I had known - at the start of our relationship

    In this episode Lou talks with John and reflects on what she wishes she’d known at the start of her relationship with her drinker. Lou and John discuss how early signs of problem drinking can be overlooked when falling in love. They explain the importance of addressing problem drinking as soon as possible, and the early love you feel gives you rare leverage to set boundaries. This episode encourages listeners to recognise warning signs early and protect themselves from long-term emotional harm. 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.

    10 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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