Ep 168. Alcohol-Induced Vomiting, The Radical Therapy That Got Ian Fee SoberEp 168. Alcohol-Induced Vomiting, The Radical Therapy That Got Ian Fee Sober
Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss
Sobriety advocate Ian Fee shares how ten days of alcohol-induced vomiting therapy helped end 34 years of heavy drinking and reshape his identity as a father and entrepreneur. The conversation highlights radical treatment, daily habits, and the slow rebuilding of relationships and self-worth in recovery.
40:17•29 Mar 2026
From Alcohol-Induced Vomiting to Freedom: Ian Fee’s Wild Ride to Sobriety
Episode Overview
- Aversion therapy using alcohol-induced vomiting can create a powerful physical and mental association that makes drinking deeply unattractive.
- Recovery often starts for other people but becomes sustainable only when it shifts to being "for you" first.
- Simple morning practices like staying off the phone, gratitude, breathwork, and affirmations can set a steady foundation for sobriety.
- Consistency over time, rather than big apologies, can be key in rebuilding trust and connection with children and family.
- Breaking huge goals into tiny, achievable steps (such as staying sober just for today) makes long-term change far more realistic.
“Unless I'm right, my family won't be right. If I'm not right, nothing will be right.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation between host Ash Butterss and guest Ian Fee pulls back the curtain on a recovery path most people have never heard of. Ian, a sobriety advocate, author of *Wild Ride to Sobriety* and long-time entrepreneur, shares how 34 years of "drunken debauchery" ended with a radical decision: ten days of alcohol-induced vomiting therapy designed to make booze physically revolting.
He walks through the intense process of aversion therapy in unflinching detail, from “18 shots of everything… and you feel absolutely horrible” to the moment his body started throwing up *before* he even entered the room. It’s confronting, but he’s clear: “My aversion is so high… I couldn’t imagine going back.” Alongside the shock factor, you’ll hear about the quieter, slower work of rebuilding a life.
Ian talks about thinking alcohol was his “superpower” in business and socialising, only to realise he was a “present but not present” dad whose kids never knew which version of him they’d get. Sobriety brought a smaller, deeper circle of friends and a very different kind of fatherhood: “I did it by action… my kids saw this transformation of their dad being present.” Ash and Ian also get practical. They swap notes on early-morning routines, phone-free starts, and habit stacking.
Ian’s non‑negotiables are surprisingly simple: gratitude, breathwork, affirmations in the mirror, and treating health as “your new wealth”. The message is clear: big change begins with tiny daily choices. If you’ve ever wondered whether life can feel brighter without alcohol, or you’re a parent worried you’ve done too much damage, this candid chat offers honesty, hope, and a few laughs along the way. What small shift could be your first step towards a different story?
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