Don't be Brad

Don't be Brad

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This coffee-shop chat between Mike and Glenn centres on a simple but punchy warning: "Don't be Brad." The conversation starts with everyday sobriety wins—busy weeks, quick check-in texts, and those cherished moments with family that would never have happened without staying sober.

Mike talks about sitting at a dining table packed with relatives and realising, "this never would have happened without sobriety," while Glenn shares a photo moment with his daughter that he calls more valuable than any million-dollar cheque. From there, they focus on a viral social media post from their page about a celebrity named Brad who, after seven years sober, announced he was going to try drinking moderately.

The meme that sparked all the debate reads: "Don't be Brad" with the line, "The most dangerous drink is the one that you can convince yourself you can handle now." Around 95% of the reactions agreed; the rest accused them of being judgemental. Mike and Glenn are clear: the aim isn’t to slag off Brad, but to wave a big caution flag.

Glenn’s first reaction was sadness for someone "throwing away a gift", while Mike’s was brutally honest: "If he can do it, I can do it." They both unpack how sneaky the alcoholic brain can be, remembering the fun and editing out the misery, and how quickly "just one" becomes disaster. They talk about playing the tape forward, sticking to a sober programme, and not letting celebrities or social media blow your recovery off course.

Their message is simple: work your own programme, stay honest about your limits, and "be Glenn, don’t be Brad, be Mike." If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be the one person who can go back to "just a couple", this chat may prompt you to ask a tougher question: is that drink really worth the risk?