How to Get Unstuck From The Alcohol Trap: A Conversation With The 'Sober Runner' Lee Bonington

I am a proud father of four children, Teddy (18), Henry (11), Florence (6) and Ralph (4). I'm married to my long suffering wife Alexis. I live in a little town called Wickford in Essex. I am a Project Manager for a fire protection company.

I was born in the East End of London in a town called Dagenham, being 1 of 4 children. My life has basically revolved around drinking like most people in the UK and probably the world, so its all I’ve ever known. I knew from an early age what sort of person I knew I was but again like most I’ve been led to believe that pubs, lads holiday, working just to work and pay for those holidays is the norm. I've used drinking for most occasions that occur in my life ie.. good news, bad news, football, really I would drink to the opening of an envelope.

Now I would not put myself in the same bracket as alcohol dependant people, meaning I would not need a drink daily but I would say that socially I would need a drink. I was a grey area drinker for the most of my adult life.

When I hit my 30’s I did start noticing changes in my behaviour after I'd had a night out and a skin full. It didn’t seem to sit right with me anymore, and that was properly the time when I knew at some point it had to stop. Fast forward to my 35th year and I did a couple of months of no drinking. I enjoyed but again went back to the normal great area drinking. I wasn’t ready. But around this time last year I said that’s it, my wife rolled hers eye, but I knew.

I've learned so much about myself in that time, and answered lots of questions I needed answered, but also opened up more and more questions at the same time.

Alcohol is woven into the very fabric of life and at a very basic level, how can something that makes you feel good, also make you fell ten times worse. is it worth it, I decided it wasn’t and it's opened up a completely new world.

 

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