6 Years 344 days - Tick6 Years 344 days - Tick
I'm Quitting Alcohol
Comedian David Boyle recounts a frantic tick emergency with his daughter, from DIY removal attempts to urgent care and antibiotics, all while staying sober. He reflects on stress, excuses and the decision to keep showing up for his creative work despite the chaos.
6:56•23 Apr 2026
Tick Panics, Parenting Chaos and Showing Up Sober
Episode Overview
- Sobriety doesn’t remove chaos, but it helps you stay present enough to act quickly in a crisis.
- Panic and fear are manageable without alcohol, especially when you focus on practical next steps.
- Health scares with kids can escalate fast, so seeking prompt professional help is crucial.
- Daily commitments, like creative work, can still be honoured even after stressful events.
- Excuses easily snowball; catching them early helps keep recovery and routines on track.
“As soon as you start making excuses, it’s over.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction while juggling everyday family chaos? This short, punchy episode of *I'm Quitting Alcohol* drops you right into comedian David Boyle’s living room as a run-of-the-mill day turns into a full-blown “tick emergency”. Boyle is about to record his writing session when his wife walks in with their young daughter and a worrying discovery near her ear.
What he first thinks is a wart, then a skin tag, turns out to be “a goddamn fucking tick” burrowing into her head. From there, you’ll follow the frantic chain of events: tongs instead of tweezers, rushed questions to ChatGPT, and a rapid dash to urgent care. Amid the swearing and dark humour, there’s a clear thread that’ll resonate with anyone in sobriety: staying present and functional during genuine stress, without defaulting to booze.
Boyle talks through panic, self-doubt and the temptation to use chaos as an excuse to skip his creative commitment. Instead, he pushes through, reflecting, “As soon as you start making excuses, it’s over,” and still gets his writing session out, even if he calls it “absolute dog shit”. The episode suits people in recovery who appreciate honesty, short episodes and a bit of comic relief.
It shows how parenting, health scares and everyday life don’t pause for sobriety, yet can be faced head-on with a mix of humour, swearing and stubborn follow-through. If you’ve ever wondered whether a sober life is still messy, stressful and ridiculous at times, this little snapshot answers with a loud yes – but also shows you can stay steady through it. What excuses are you still hanging on to?
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