Eric Drank Nearly Every Day for 23 Years | Now 4 Years Sober

Eric Drank Nearly Every Day for 23 Years | Now 4 Years Sober

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation between Brad McLeod and returning guest Eric gives a brutally honest look at how "normal" drinking can quietly turn into daily dependence over decades. Eric shares how from 2008 to 2021, drinking every day felt completely ordinary: "That was my normal life.

And I never batted an eye… till the very end." He talks about terrifying withdrawal symptoms — seizures, hallucinations and severe shakes — and how shocked he was to learn just how dangerous stopping alcohol suddenly can be. The message is clear: this stuff can be life-threatening, and medical support matters.

You’ll hear Eric reflect on lost years, forgotten holidays, and memories blurred by booze, and how painful it is to realise, "You were there in body, but mentally, you have no idea what happened." Now over four years sober, his "normal" looks very different: raising his young son Dexter, speaking at meetings, sharing on podcasts, and feeling genuinely proud when he faces hard days without reaching for a drink.

Brad and Eric also talk practically about cravings, boredom and "sneaky drinking", plus tools like calling friends, going to meetings and "playing the tape forward" to remember where that first drink leads. Eric is blunt about denial and shame: staring into the mirror, promising to quit tomorrow, and losing another year.

His turning point came with one simple truth: "You can't do it by yourself… asking for that help is the best thing I ever did." If you’re stuck in the same rinse-and-repeat routine or afraid of what people will think if you ask for help, Eric’s story might be the nudge you need to finally reach out. What are you waiting for?