Sam O’Brien West, 32, always knew he was a problem drinker, often the drunkest person in the room at social events. Now sober, the football fan shares his advice below for having a great alcohol-free World Cup.
I started drinking when I was around 14 and throughout my 20s, I’d drink to a point of not being in control.
Watching football made things worse. I had an excuse to spend all day in the pub where people were egging each other on to drink more. There’d be that massive excitement but also a feeling of anxiety that I was going to be writing myself off for a couple of days after matches.
When I didn’t wake up in time for work after a drinking session three years ago, I decided it was time to stop.
For the past three months I’ve been an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK – the charity behind Dry January which aims to reduce harm caused by alcohol – and I’m preparing for my first alcohol-free World Cup. Here are my five tips for staying off the booze during football season.