Do you live with an alcoholic? We know how you feel.
Living with an alcoholic often means feeling isolated and lonely as your social life shrinks. It can mean having no one to confide in, no one to support you.
Opening up to someone is always a risk as you will often be told to “leave him/her, get out and run. But you still love him/her, so that just makes you feel guilty
This is why we created Bottled Up because we recognise that you love your drinker and could use a bit of guidance and support to keep the relationship alive.
At Bottled Up we don’t do guilt - guaranteed! No one is going to tell you to leave your home or your partner – unless you are being abused and are in danger. No one is going to tell you it’s all your fault!
At Bottled Up we don’t do opinion, we don’t need it we have the experience instead. So what you will find is help, support and advice from people who have been there.
Lou Lewis
I (Lou) was married to a drinker for 29 years till his death from cancer. During that time I ran a home and raised two children in that environment with very few people, including quite close friends, being aware of the situation.
I am a classically trained musician, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London. For many years I was a singer / songwriter, made 7 albums and toured the UK, USA and South Africa giving concerts and workshops. Although I still write and play, I don't have the same opportunities that I had.
My autobiography, No Easy Answers, has been described as a moving and revealing book "Giving hope to those suffering from deep emotional problems and encouragement to friends who try to help them." and was frequently used as a reference book for counsellors.
Currently I have my own flourishing counselling practice where I see clients with a variety of issues, including relationship problems.
John McMahon
I (John) have a PhD in psychology and for years was senior lecturer on the MSc course on alcohol and drug studies. However before that I was hospitalized for alcoholism. My marriage broke up, doctors told me I had brain damage and liver damage and if I continued to drinking that I had around six months to live. I have been clean and sober now for over 28 years.
I practised as a therapist, designed and run treatment programs for addiction problems. Until recently I was lead author of and senior lecturer on the largest Master's level course on alcohol and drugs in the UK. This course was designed for addiction counsellors, psychologists and GP's.
I have carried out research, mainly on behaviour change in addictive behaviours and binge drinking, and have published widely and have been invited to speak at many conferences, both national and international.
More recently I designed and built an award winning self-help website for people with drinking problems - 24/7 Help Yourself.
We are a married couple. I married Lou (then a widow) in 2008. As you can see above we have both have experienced drinking problems in previous relationships and we bring this knowledge to the website and the associated seminars and workshops. Between us we have, if not an unique experience then certainly a highly appropriate background.
How we met is an amazing story if you are interested ask us and we may tell the story.
If you want to find out more about us and what Bottled Up can do for you then please click this link.
