There are many things that people who live with a drinker tend to do that do not help their situation.  Most of these behaviours are well meaning and are just the normal way that families act and react with the people that they care about.

In this video we discuss the function that secrets and lies play in supporting drinking and the drinking behaviour.

This is the second part of the threats and promises video.  If you have not watched it previously you can find part 1 here, Threats and promises part 1

In this video we discuss communications between the drinker and the family member.  This is the first of two videos on the topic.

We are aware that this is a hot topic for many.  And it is a decision that no one can make for you.  However, if you or your children are exposed to violence or sexual abuse, then we strongly advocate that, for safety,  you should leave or get your drinker to leave. When we wrote …

Continue reading “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

I often find myself talking to family members about Hope.  Understandably, they are often living without much hope, especially if their drinker has been drinking to excess for many years and promised many times to change. In this video I talk about what the research has to tell us about change and recovery.  If you …

Continue reading “There is always HOPE!”

Disappointment is a regular event when you live with addiction. In this video we discuss its nature and how to deal with it.

We just wanted to do a short ‘catch up’ video to let you know what was happening with us and to give you a small glimpse on what we have planned. Because we have had a fairly large influx of new members we thought that it would be good to record a new version of …

Continue reading “Does my Loved One Have a Drink Problem?”

Today marks the start of my 40th year sober, that is no alcohol or drugs for 39 years.  So, I felt that this was a fitting time to talk about a topic rarely mentioned when getting sober, that is opportunity. Forty years ago, I would sit in pubs in Glasgow and talk about the things …

Continue reading “Opportunity”

The Alcohol and Families Alliance (which Bottled Up has been a member for some years now) is a loose group of service providers helping families who have problems with alcohol.  We are currently in the process of sending a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, calling for the reinstatement of …

Continue reading “Services for Families of Alcoholics”