Sober Stories: Owen

TRIGGER WARNING - family member suicide This week's episode is with Owen from Halesowen, near Birmingham. Owen is 13 months sober at the time of this recording. Owen, who lives with his wife and young daughter, talks about trying alcohol relatively late, at 16 (on the last day of school). After starting, Owen got into a drinking crowd and drank as part of the 'sesh' with mates most weeks. After unexpectedly losing his father, Owen recalls drinking for more emotional reasons. Being an emotional person, he found solace in alcohol but it brought chaos and shame to the forefront. He stopped for six months to have a break but soon fell back into big drinking afterwards. He decided to stop for good 13 months ago and hasn't looked back since. He is hoping to share his story in an effort to help others (especially men) make the same brave decision to quit and feel happier.