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

Send us a text Anna Donaghey is a writer, coach, and host of the acclaimed podcast The Big Drink Rethink. A former advertising strategist, she brings insight, empathy, and humour to conversations about alcohol, identity, and intentional living. After quitting drinking after years of addiction, Anna set out to explore why so many capable, successful lives feel oddly undernourished, and how we reach for substitutes like alcohol when something deeper is missing.   In her debut book, ‘What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want’, Anna invites readers to get curious, explore their relationship with alcohol, reconnect with themselves, and create a life that nourishes them in genuine ways.    Buy Anna’s book - ‘What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want’ Amazon: https://amzn.to/47agUn2 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607   Connect with Anna: Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Emily is a creative, a dreamer, a dog lover and very grateful to be sober from alcohol. From the UK originally she now lives and works by the beach in Melbourne Australia. You can find Emily on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emchadbourne Russel Brand - Freedom from our Addictions: https://amzn.eu/d/7ZN5WVG Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Musician Adrian Cox left home at the age of 15 to pursue a life of touring and making music as a profession. Not an easy task for anyone but as a 15 year old boy, Adrian easily fell into the trap of a life of drinking and drugs.  Still living the dream at aged 42, things are very different now. Although still travelling the world, having carved out a career as one of the most respected jazz clarinetists Internationally, he is 2 months off of 12 years without a drink and nearly 10 years with no cocaine. It’s been a hell of a journey including a hip replacement at aged 30 due to AVN caused by alcohol and few other tales (as you can imagine) to go with that!  Adrian now lives in Sweden and has found balance in touring, home life and the joys of the AA program, something he came to after 11 years. You can find Adrian on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ontheroadinrecovery Drop the Rock, Steps 6&7 - Bill P Todd W and Sara S https://amzn.eu/d/gBeLdL0 We Did OK, Kid - Anthony Hopkins  https://amzn.eu/d/eAyTYpS Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Amy is a sobriety mentor, breathwork specialist and founder of Devine Breath. A former drinker herself, she now holds the Sober Sisterhood Breathwork Community, supporting women to release alcohol and reconnect to themselves and each other through the breath. You can find Amy on Insta at: https://www.instagram.com/devine.breath Check out Any’s Website here: https://devinebreath.com Or you can find everything else on her LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/amydevine Caroline Knapp - Drinking a Love Story https://amzn.eu/d/8hLYqjM Annie Grace - This Naked Mind https://amzn.eu/d/79SNLpx Gabor Matte -  The Wisdom of Trauma https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13863968/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk Peter Levine - Waking the T iger https://amzn.eu/d/3Qdd8bn Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

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

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

Send us a text Even more amazing and incredible guests coming your way in 2026! From heartbreaking stories to triumphs and hope, you wont want to miss out! Get ready on New Year's Day 2026 for the first episode drop! Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Will Gordon is an emergency liver and kidney transplant survivor who spent 15 years as a middle and high school teacher, shaping young minds while quietly battling a secret that almost ended him: alcohol addiction that left him with just two weeks to live at age 35. Hiding bottles and spiraling into isolation, he lost friends, his job, and nearly everything. Until a miracle transplant gave him a raw second chance.That rock bottom became a turning point, where he learned that recovery isn't a straight line or a highlight reel; it's about facing the hard truths, leaning on support when you're at your weakest, and rebuilding with honesty and patience, one day at a time. Today, Will hosts The Willpower Podcast; dropping raw, unfiltered episodes every Friday on YouTube, where guests like athletes, mentors, and fellow survivors share their real stories of grit, trauma, and finding strength in sobriety when life feels overwhelming. He's created a global sober-mentoring program that's supported over 100 people through their most challenging moments, speaks at schools and events about transforming vulnerabilities into quiet resilience, and offers one-on-one coaching with the straightforward empathy he's gained from his own journey. Catch the pod on: YouTube @TheWillpowerPodcast Instagram @thewillpowerpodcast TikTok @thewillpowerpod X @thewillpowerpod, or reach out with “SOBER” for sober mentorship. Will's story is a reminder that we're all in this together, and small steps forward can lead to something truly meaningful. My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Beth began drinking as a teenager in the 1990s, using alcohol to ease the social anxiety she had felt for as long as she could remember. What started as a way to feel confident and connected quickly became a pattern that followed her into adulthood. After her mother died when she was 17, her drinking escalated, and by university she had become known as the party girl, hiding behind a confident exterior that masked deep insecurity. As the years went on, her relationship with alcohol shifted into what is often called grey-area drinking. She drank to manage loneliness, stress, and self-doubt, convincing herself it was normal. During lockdown, her drinking reached a point where she knew she needed to stop. Finding an online sober community changed everything, showing her that recovery could be built on honesty, connection, and shared experience rather than shame. A later diagnosis of ADHD helped her understand the impulsivity, emotional intensity, and constant search for stimulation that had fuelled her drinking. With this understanding came self-compassion and a new sense of purpose. Now over four years sober, Beth shares her story through her Click Sober platforms and volunteers within the sober community, helping women question their relationship with alcohol and find support. She is also the co-founder of The SOS Collective, a free online community for women. You can find Beth on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/click_sober Beth’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/clicksober?fbclid=PAdGRleAN4PVVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafzlIxv_0A-hfL5li-FIKQF7kCeIb1kBQyfUCnXDTljlajPJTxSfEPfcSOjvw_aem_pe-oq35n271r5Fx4v_QooQ Drinking a Love Story - Caroline Knapp https://amzn.eu/d/55fBMhP My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Kim began drinking around the age of 14. From the very start, she sensed that alcohol and she wouldn’t mix well. Still, she loved the way it made her feel—less awkward, more confident, and seemingly more comfortable in her own skin. Yet even early on, alcohol brought more chaos than comfort. Despite the warning signs, Kim kept drinking whenever the opportunity arose. Over time, blackouts became common, hangovers stretched into days, and she often woke up consumed by regret and anxiety. This pattern repeated for years. Deep down, Kim knew something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t imagine life without alcohol. Sobriety felt impossible, even unthinkable. Every so often, Kim would have what seemed like a “normal” drinking experience—one that convinced her she was in control. But she wasn’t. Each brief success only delayed the truth she didn’t want to face. Alcohol took nearly everything from her, more than once. Still, Kim was determined to manage it—to prove she could handle drinking like everyone else. She pushed past the pain, ignored the consequences, and pretended everything was fine. Eventually, things hit a breaking point. Kim decided to quit on her own, and for a few months, she managed to stay sober. But when summer arrived, she returned to drinking—and quickly learned what so many in recovery say is true: it always gets worse. The relapse nearly cost her everything again. That was the turning point. Kim walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, desperate but willing. There, surrounded by people who truly understood, she began to see that a life without alcohol was not only possible—it could be beautiful. With the support of her recovery community, she started rebuilding her life from the inside out. Today, Kim calls her sobriety the best decision she’s ever made. Each day, she continues to work on her recovery and self-discovery. Over the past year, she’s finally gotten to know herself without alcohol—and, for the first time in her life, she genuinely likes who she is. Kim once believed alcohol added to her life, but in reality, it was slowly stealing pieces of her soul. Sobriety gave her a second chance—one filled with peace, clarity, and purpose. Finding a sober community, both online and in person, has been life-changing. She encourages anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol or drugs to reach out, listen to others’ stories, and take that first brave step toward recovery. Kim’s journey is a reminder that healing is possible, recovery is powerful, and life truly begins when you stop running from yourself. You can find Kim on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/soberkimbo?igsh=MThveTByeHE4Y3k3dQ== Love Warrior - Glennon Doyle https://amzn.eu/d/2JgVoPo Unexpected Joy of Being Sober - Catherine Gray https://amzn.eu/d/iTdXAaR Beautiful Boy - David Sheff https://amzn.eu/d/2NIBoo6 Beautiful Boy - Film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226837/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afte Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Will began drinking at a young age, using alcohol as a way to cope long before he had the tools to process life’s challenges. Even as he matured and became a father, he found that moderation never quite clicked — he didn’t always know when enough was enough. In 2021, after years of repeating the same patterns, Will began a personal journey of self-discovery and development. He introduced practices like cold water therapy and journaling, which helped him see the far-reaching effects of a night of drinking — not just physically, but emotionally and professionally too. One evening, after a particularly stressful day, he caught himself reaching for a beer out of need rather than choice. That moment of awareness changed everything. Will committed to one year of sobriety to learn healthier coping mechanisms. That one year has now become 1,400 days — and counting. Today, Will has built a life he no longer wants to escape from. He shares his story to encourage others to look honestly at their own relationship with alcohol and to realize that it doesn’t have to be a problem to be a problem. You can find Will on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/willedwardswellness In the realm of hungry ghosts Gabor Maté https://amzn.eu/d/25yvVOZ Dopamine nation Dr Anna Lembke https://amzn.eu/d/fsPeY8Q The Sober Rebel - Louisa Evans https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sober-rebel/id1697392317 My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Jen Hirst works to empower women to feel their best in sobriety and boost their confidence from day one by integrating 6 science-backed habits to make sobriety stick. She’s the founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, a supportive community where women stay accountable, build connections, and stay alcohol-free... together. Her 100-Day Sober Journal has helped hundreds of women stay consistent and reach their goals, and her sold-out group coaching programs have supported women around the world in embracing sobriety with a GET TO mentality. Jen has been featured in Women's Health and The New York Times for her work in helping women create a life they're excited to wake up to. Jen’s website is here: https://www.joinlighthousesobriety.com You can find Jen on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jenleehirst Jen's Linktree is here: https://linktr.ee/jenleehirst Beyond the Booze by Sarah Rusbatch: https://amzn.eu/d/6KR3Ejk My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Ryan Kennedy is someone who’s lived both sides of life — from addiction and chaos to peace and purpose. After years of battling his demons and rebuilding from rock bottom, he’s now sober and living a life he once thought was impossible. Ryan hosts the Rock Bottom with Ryan podcast, where he shares raw and honest conversations about recovery, growth, and finding meaning after struggle. When he’s not connecting with others through his story, he trades stocks for a living, spends time with his dog, and hits the golf course to keep his mind clear and grounded. His mission is simple…to show that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can always rise again. You can find Ryan on his Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/rockbottomwithryan His Podcast Rock Bottom with Ryan is here: https://linktr.ee/rockbottomwithryan?fbclid=PAdGRleAMzt3pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpypULW2wRB_bI7XHJouwmcYM7SfS7kSRM1v62P9OcuN_DpqcHoRXn7zvcqCO_aem_JviN1OhOYAaC6zErHq85vw Forged in Silence Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Z8hxu2cDovocvyJUzqaAA?si=14859864934b426b Leaving Las Vegas with Nic Cage: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113627/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Send us a text Oli, 36, from Bedford, grew up with a life shaped by alcohol from a young age. He drank to fit in, to socialise, and because he believed it was what he needed to truly be himself. Working in construction, he was surrounded by a strong drinking culture, which only reinforced the habit. Over time, alcohol became a way to cope with mental health struggles, anxiety, and depression, leading to heavy binge drinking most of the week and throughout the weekends, rarely spending time at home. Eventually, Oli reached rock bottom, facing serious illness, a period of suicidal thoughts, and overwhelming guilt and regret, feeling as though there was no way out. But in the depths of that struggle, he realised enough was enough. For the sake of his health, and to become a better father and partner, Oli made the decision to work on himself and give up alcohol for good. You can find Oli on Insta at: https://www.instagram.com/levellinguponlife You can find the Dryy app at: https://www.instagram.com/dryyapp? My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Support the show My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Buy me a coffee… https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt Donate: https://motiv8.im/donate/ https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/