This week I sit down with Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, an influential voice in alcohol policy advocacy. We chat about the profound implications of alcohol consumption on both individual health and societal well-being. Dr. Gilheany shares startling statistics on alcohol-related harm, including the staggering number of children affected by parental drinking. We discuss how marketing and societal norms perpetuate hazardous drinking habits, leaving many unaware of the risks associated with even moderate consumption. This episode is packed with startling statistics that you cannot ever unlearn. Enjoy!Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) is a non-governmental organisation which acts as an expert independent voice for policy change on alcohol-related issues. Over many years it has been highly active in ensuring the successful passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, the first legislation in Ireland to take a public health approach to the control of alcohol consumption with measures such as Minimum Unit Pricing, restrictions on advertising and labelling of alcohol products. AAI is now working to ensure the full implementation of the Act as well as advocating for a range of other policies in areas such as children who have grown up with alcohol harm in the home though its Silent Voices initiative. Throughout all its work, AAI aim to bring the lived experience of those harmed by alcohol into the policy making space, e.g. through its Voices of Recovery initiative.Sheila joined AAI in 2019 and has extensive experience in policy development and advocacy. She has led a range of not-for-profit organisations in science, education and public engagement including the Institute of Physics in Ireland and the Irish Centre for Talented Youth. She also has a number of volunteer positions including, Chair of the Board of Specialisterne Ireland, Vice Chair of Mental Health Reform and Treasurer/Board member of the European alliance of alcohol policy NGOs, Eurocare. She has a BSc Hons in physics and a PhD in astrophysics from Queen’s University Belfast.
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Professor David Nutt
This week on No More Booze, I welcome the renowned Professor David Nutt, psychiatrist and psychoneuropharmacologist and author of the ground breaking book, "Drink: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health." In this incredible conversation, Professor Nutt dives into the complexities of alcohol, exploring its profound effects on the brain and body. He discusses societal views on alcohol, the emergence of a sober-curious generation and the myths surrounding drinking culture. With insights drawn from decades of research, he offers practical advice for those looking to reassess their relationship with alcohol. Professor Nutt specialises in the study of the brain, drugs, addiction, anxiety, and sleep. David co-founded GABALabs with David Orren to fulfil their shared vision of safer, better choices for adult social drinkers and the current products can be found at sentiaspirits.com. David spent two years as Chief of Clinical Science in the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in America before setting up the psychopharmacology unit at Bristol University. In 2008 he moved to Imperial College London as the Edmond J. Safra chair in Neuropsychopharmacology. He also currently holds visiting professorships at the Open University and University of Maastricht.David is a prolific speaker and successful author. He won the Transmission Prize for Communicating Science in 2014. David has published over 500 scientific papers, over 30 books, contributed to 8 government reports, and has edited the Journal of Psychopharmacology for 20 years. David earned the distinction of being included by Times Eureka magazine in 2010 as one of the 100 most distinguished figures in British science.David is currently the Founding Chair of DrugScience.org.uk, a charity that researches and tells the truth about all drugs, legal and illegal, free from political or other interference. Enjoy!
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Caroline Donoghue's Alcohol-Free Journey
This weeks guest is Caroline Donoghue @lovemuddoglasy who shares her inspiring journey to sobriety, which she embraced two years ago after grappling with the challenges of grief and motherhood. Throughout this candid conversation, Caroline reflects on her tumultuous relationship with alcohol, how it impacted her life and parenting and the unexpected joys that have come with sobriety. She highlights the importance of community support and self-love in reclaiming her life and the beauty of embracing her quirks. Caroline has such an infectious personality, she is brimming with fun and joy for life. Caroline is a pet-level dog groomer with over 12 years of experience and a social media following of 650,000 devoted dog lovers. As the UK’s biggest dog groomer on social media, she has appeared on ITV’s This Morning, BBC News, and radio as a trusted voice in pet grooming. Known for her fun, practical, and stress-free approach, Caroline helps everyday owners keep their floofs looking and feeling their best. Specialising in pet grooming, she focuses on grooming essentials—from brushing techniques and handling tips to introducing puppies to grooming and deciding whether to DIY or find the right professional.
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Jen Crawford- Alcohol-Free For the Health of It
This weeks guest is the beautiful Jen Crawford @jen_crawford_coaching, who gave up alcohol for the health of it.Jen, has spent her adult life supporting families. From working with a charity supporting premature and sick babies, to founding Irelands only ever Doula Agency @doulacare_academy, her path has lead her to becoming a Life and Business Coach for people seeking balance in their lives. Jen’s goal is to empower people to thrive amidst the chaos, whether they’re are building a small business, navigating parenthood, or trying to rediscover their true self. Jen also runs corporate workshops and events and plans to follow joy to see what the future holds. Jen has been alcohol free since April 2022 when she was officially diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. While her relationship was always complicated with alcohol, this was the point where she decided to let it go for good. Jen is calm, honest, deeply wise and intuitive.This is a fabulous conversation. Enjoy
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Mary Alice Stephens- Finding Freedom Beyond Alcohol
In this episode of No More Booze our guest is Mary Alice Stephens @maryalicewrites who is the author of the powerful memoir *Uncorked* which was released on Friday. With 14 years of sobriety under her belt, Mary shares her inspiring journey from a life consumed by alcohol to one filled with authenticity and self-discovery. Mary candidly discusses the pivotal moments that led her to quit drinking, including a harrowing experience that struck a deep chord with her parenting instincts. We dive into her early sobriety challenges, the profound impact of intimacy without alcohol and the methods she's found helpful in staying stopped. Join us as we explore the delicate balance of navigating a life sober in a world that often glorifies drinking. Mary’s wisdom and humour shine through, offering relatable stories and practical advice for those questioning their own relationship with alcohol.Mary’s book ‘Uncorked’ is out now.
I'm Olivia Farrelly and I am an Alcohol-Free Mentor. Every episode, I interview people who have removed alcohol from their lives. We discuss how alcohol made their lives better, how it made their lives worse, any tips they've learned along the way and what advice they would give to somebody else looking to live their lives with No More Booze. This podcast is not just about sobriety; it's about rewriting the script on alcohol culture in this extremely alcohol centric world that we live in. Becoming alcohol free invloves learning to untangle from this culture and how to embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth and the pursuit of genuine happiness. As an alcohol-free mentor, I can provide guidance, support and advice to anyone who is seeking to live their life free from alcohol. I use specific tools to enhance motivation to make positive life choices regarding alcohol use. I help people identity their goals and they make specific changes accordingly. I also provide accountability to those seeking to make these changes. I show people ways to develop new, healthier coping mechanisms and make more positive, life-affirming life choices.Find me at www.greyareadrinker.ie oron Instagram @greyareadrinker
Ireland