The Background

I have drunk alcohol all my adult life, and a few of my teenage years too! I was brought up in a family that regularly went to the pub and always had alcohol in the house, home made wines a speciality. I played rugby most of my life, a sport rather closely associated with "the third half" and I was at my best in this phase of the game. I have been a member of the Armed Forces for nearly 30 years and, after publicans and doctors (!!) we are well known for having a high percentage of people with alcohol related problems. You can add to that the background facts that my father (absent from very early in my life) and aunt both died horrible alcoholic deaths and my mother's death earlier this year was hastened by chronic smoking and alcohol related issues.

In that context it is perhaps no surprise that I developed a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. It has taken me over 30 years to admit it but now that I have, I intend to take back my life. I have not had a drink for a month. I am exercising daily. I am addressing a number of underlying "self worth" issues. I am repairing relationships with my loved ones (I nearly lost the girlfriend I adore over this). In short, I'm changing my life forever.

Over the next few posts I aim to flesh out the bones of the story as to why and how I got to my low point at the beginning of July. Subsequent posts will hopefully form a diary of success reinforcing success. I have a strong philosophical bent and will attempt to weave thoughts and feelings into the story. I hope the tale is not without humour.

More soon.

So what's all this then?

What will this Blog be? Well firstly it will be personal catharsis. Some great things have happened in my life (I'm sure I'll share a few) but I've had some real shit happen to me too and it's that that has prompted this blog. Alcohol has featured more or less throughout my life and, whilst I have thankfully not descended into alcoholism, it has been both boon and bane.

I intend to post short-ish (some initial ones may be slightly long and rambling) pieces on what alcohol has done in my life and how I'm now changing my life to be more of the person I've perhaps not quite been over the years. It will not be preachy, I don't do preachy and have a strong libertarian streak that prevents me from telling others how to live their lives, but I intend it to be as honest as my emotions will cope with.

As I said above, the primary aim is catharsis but I hope that if/when anyone reads this they might get to take something away from my ramblings too. To that end not only will comment always be switched on and unmoderated, I positively invite all comment of whatever nature. This mill will grind better the more grist is added. feel free to tell me when I'm talking bollocks, am becoming overly self indulgent or am just plain wrong. Do also feel free though to let me know if and when I might be getting it right.

A blog that just talks about me and alcohol would be a. depressing and b. effing dull so I intend to also post on subjects that interest me. These include but are/will not be limited to politics, Sport, Science, the Military and Music. Do feel free to comment on these posts too.

Let the journey begin!