😂 spot on! I’m right with ya! Awesome content and channel! ❤ thanks 🙏 stu! You are assisting me on my recovery journey! I enjoy ever one and have listened to them more than once! It’s imperative to have a community and your channel is excellent! I live in a tiny village in NZ and online AA is the only option… I watch your channel and a few others to experience AA for me! Thankyou. Ex “ lost” fan too! 😂😂
🙏 can't remember where I heard this, someone said that when we overcome hardships & win in battle, that our ancestors share in our victories in spirit, are uplifted & rejoice! 🙏💜🕯💧🌱🐾👣🌿🌎
Thank you Shades! I quite enjoyed the slightly less formal style.I think I'll do one of these every couple of months. Hope you're doing good today mate!
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question, really appreciated. Funny you mentioned jigsaw puzzles, I did exactly that as well using my new found time to improve my guitar playing. Things might not be as rosey after 2 years but I'm definitely way more productive and emotionally balanced. Thanks again, love the channel.
I love your way of telling stories. Although I don't drink like you used to, I still binge. But my binge is once a week and a bottle and maybe one glass more of wine. My brothers binges are more like yours used to be. It's such an insidious substance.
@_BatCountry I spend my life thinking about quitting and my week thinking about my binge. It takes an enormous amount of mental time. For about maybe 3 to 4 hours a week of actual drinking. Very weird. I'll keep watching you to inspire me to quit permanently. Thank you very much for your response and for replying to everyone on your channel.
You talk about your treatment for withdrawals in the UK, here in Australia when my wife had her alcohol withdrawal seizure a few years ago I was appalled at the treatment. She was taken away in an ambulance (I wasn't allowed to go or enter the hospital due to COVID protocols) and discharged about 4 hours later, given a piece of paper to take to her GP and told "Don't ever drink again". That was it. I was fuming, I wanted her to at least spend the night there being monitored and cared for.
I just wanna say that I absolutely love your channel. The production value is fantastic and your storytelling and descriptive powers make this a go-to at night. Thank you for letting us into your journey
I loved this Q & A session, the questions were brilliant and your answers where so helpful. You certainly have a lot of individual topics to work through and I look forward to watching those videos in the future. Thank you as always.
thank you for your videos as always. favorite youtube channel ever because everythig you say about yourself is true about myself. i am a completely suicidal alcoholic and always will be. giving me a bottle of vodka is the equivalent of giving a suicidal person a loaded gun. it makes life very anxiety inducing to think that its always around the corner. makes it terrifying to fear about not having a supportive partner who will aid me in my sobriety. alcoholism makes life so anxiety inducing even while youre completely sober. and the reason i started drinking to begin with was because of anxiety. now it has made it so much worse even when completely sober. i know that the possibility of a difficult situation causing me to drink is probable, and the consequences of that are inevitable and its something i have to live with for the rest of my life. even in recovery alcoholism is truly horrific
Hello mate! Thanks for your comments, and for supporting the channel. How long have you been sober? You're right that alcohol still dominates our lives even in sobriety, but I've found the anxiety about it subsides in time.
probably the channel I look forward to most on my youtube feed for new content lol. thank you for sharing the cringe story, it's evident how painful it was to relive. we all have stories like those.. I remember my rock bottom, or one of the bottoms I found rocky. I woke up 7 hours before work and as usual I was going to drive to the gas station and buy two big Clubtails Margiritas 10% alc and come back and watch shows and nap before work. My "happy place" at the time. Because I always woke up still tired from drinking the night before. Anyway, I get out to the parking lot and my car is gone! From where I parked it. I double checked the whole parking lot but I already knew it had me repossessed no matter how far down I pushed those problems. I got back to my apartment, sober and well aware of how fucked I was. (Later that day I would receive a warning on my door that it had been the end of the grace period for me to pay my rent) I broke down and cried like a bitch. I texted my stepbro some morbid shit about my life and about self harm even though it might not have been entirely authentic, but I was confused, lost, scared. Tricked by booze. Fucked by myself. He shared the text with my family who became very worried about me. They called me repeatedly that night. I remember going out on my balcony and my neighbor was out there and gave me a weird concerned look. I guess he heard a grown man crying and was like wtf? Anyway, I got a ride to work and showed up obviously distraught. My coworkers noticed because usually I was the outgoing, silly one. My family called my work just checking to see if I showed up. And life goes on. You pick up the pieces and go from there. I started walking to and from work, 7 miles a day. I eventually got a bike and that made life easier. Until it got stolen of course lmao. I kept drinking and it was my only happy place for years and I wasn't even in hardcore alcoholism yet. I only drank 10 or less beers a day at that point. When the pandemic hit I moved in with my mom and the government started paying me unemployment just to stay home. That's when I started drinking 20+ drinks for a year or so and started getting real withdrawals. It always gets worse before it gets better , aye? Anyway, there were more rock bottoms but I think that was my first one. Many Emergency room visits later, I am 28 years old; 4+ years clean from phenibut and 2+ years sober from booze now. I have my own place and car. I have a decent job and I live in a different state lol. Life is still hard because my credit is fucked and my anxiety is also FOOKED but I am sober and have opportunities to face my life problems head on instead of being exhausted and drunk all the time. edit: I was also jacked when I was a drunk. eventually I ballooned up to 5'10, 240 lbs when I stopped being active and drinking really took over. But I lost all that weight and I'm down to 170lbs today. Skin isn't as tight as it was but I look better. Also I did not look good chubby like some people do lol, I looked like a goblin
I've wondered about your story since you started appearing in my comments, I'm really grateful you told me. Congrats on your sober time, I hope you're working hard at it and you're in it for the long haul. Keep me posted. Ohhhh and that thing about your credit being fucked - YEAH. For real. Never heard anyone really mention that before, but that's real as hell, a BIG problem for a lot of us and hard to fix.
giving Up cigarettes very similar as far as pink cloud --- you now have to really live without smoking --- sit around a bon fire without beer and cigs -- how could that be fun ?
Off-topic BC but what do you think about landlords of public houses who drink among their regulars? I have one near me who has an air of narcissism and I attribute his encouragement of heavy drinking to the early deaths of several men. I acknowledge personal choice
great video but could you pls talk about why addicts cheat? it would be interesting... and you mention you are in a relationship... you talk a bit that your gf keeps you sober which is good but did you ever cheat on her? it seems you make your addiction dependent on gf... my husband and I cheated on each other during active addiction but have forgiven and moved forward. I would like you to talk about it also I don't want to accuse but your language in this video about other women is a bit telling. I feel a bit bad for your gf. it just sounds like you're with her bcz she's sober.
Your channel is becoming the new school on alcholism. I do believe that AA is correct when they tell us that as sober alcoholics we owe a debt of service to those still suffering-- not for their benefit, but our own peace of mind. I hope your growing usefulness to alcoholics is a source of peaceful moments for you.
@@_BatCountry Thanks! The part of connectiveness you were talking about really hit home. There's just so much room to connect with other people (without having panic attacks all the time) since I'm sober. It's quite remarkable.
Most RU-vid Q&A videos SUCK! But this one was brilliant, so much useful information, none of the dross that I didn't need. Thank you. Pushing at 4K subscribers, so this is becoming an important and relevant channel. For you, and for us, the watchers.
Thank you mate, I really appreciate that! Tbh I wasn't sure about doing a Q&A at all, it feels a bit self-indulgent, but I quite enjoyed it in the end.
The number one tip for sobriety?...Put as much effort into your recovery, as you did thinking about drinking, planning your drinking, manipulating, choreographing, directing, implementing, and LYING about your drinking! "Not possible", you say? Bingo! My point is, none of us will ever be able to duplicate that kind of effort, but our very lives depend on us doing everything we can! "Get busy livin, or get busy dyin"! Peace and love, Mark
Ron White used to have a stand up routine, paraphrase: " i sat up on the side of the bed ,picked my pants up off the floor only to discover that some bastard had schite in my pants while i was asleep! gezus, who would do something like that? well, whoever it was.. they ate corn!
Thanks for addressing my question! I could relate to some that you mentioned. Yes, somewhat personal topic but aren't a lot of these personal when it comes to alcohol issues. Respect your bravery and keep up the content in the channel. Best of luck!
Your wisdom is a key part of my current attempt at staying sober- have tried over and over again for a decade- one of these days it might actually stick!
Today (6 years sober) when someone offer me a drink I always say "thank you, I don't drink".. when they insist and ask "why".. I say.. "I don't drink.. that is the end of a sentence.. there is no comma"... it is funny that alcohol is the only drug that when you refuse people think there is something wrong with you 😂
I have been watching your videos since yesterday (Which happens to be when I discovered your channel). In that time, I have made the decision to get over myself and to finally make a decision that might benefit me. I called a rehab hospital so that I may take my life back. Long story short, I am leaving in the morning to go on a 28-day program. I can't say (for sure) that you are the reason, but you are definitely the impetus for why I made this decision. Thank you from ALL my heart. You are an eloquent speaker and an all-out inspiration to me and everyone who listens/watches these videos. Thank You.
Dude, I am always looking forward to your latest installment, your latest episode because I relate so well to the situations you been through. I always feel sad when an episode is nearing end; that's the power of your storytelling, a veritable raconteur if I ever listened to one; that's you man!!
This is beyond incredible yet again, THANK YOU!. Found your channel a few weeks ago ive listened to every video. I listen to many podcasts to help me with staying sober and BAT COUNTRY is the best...Thank you brother! Much love from USA
It's an honor to hear back from you! I have listened to Dirk Dilirium a few times and still really dont understand what happened to him. Perhaps you could do another video about him in the future if you ever want to? God Bless my friend!
@@_BatCountry For sure man. I know what it’s like to have a small channel that everyone constantly calls “underrated”. I had a little venture into comedy and sketch videos like ten years ago and even got “recognized” in the produce section of a grocery store one time lol. Deleted most of em but I had a small, really dedicated following by the end of it. Point is, I know how hard it is to grow on RU-vid but it looks like you’re putting solid effort into it and it seems like it’s a labor of love for you, which is exactly the attitude to have. Good for you mate 🤙
Newly subscribed and really enjoy your content! 10 months sober here and I to have had the pink cloud moment about 4 months in - it does get better with time to actually finding things again to fill the time - for me it's making electronic music and photography and cooking, the exercise part I do neglect but really need to get motivated to get into shape - I am the same weight if not more than I was 10 months ago , a heavy wine drinker. I do like long walks though up into the hills. Great channel!
From one War On Drugs fan to another, its a pleasure to have you here. You should stick some of your photography online and ping me a link, I'd love to take a look.
Without doubt one of the most criminally undersubscribed channels on both alcohol and life itself! Thankyou for doing this. I am confident this channel will blow up to over a million subscribers by the end of the year. I’ve been hooked for the past week
in regards to the biggest lies of alcohol, i think the one truth that alcohol (& the other drugs) exposes, is the frailty & vulnerability of our human willpower/won'tpower & the need for a deeper/wider/higher power than mere will, to quote Schopenhauer: "man can do what he wills, but he cannot will what he wills."
So, in a sense we putting you on a pedestal but here is the thing....some of your best stories are completely unstructured and you can tell the man is just going with a thread of what happened that's most appealing and making sense in the presence....and I love that because there is so much authenticity in spontaneity
Hi Bat Country - hope you’re doing well. I really enjoyed the q&a session. Listening to you really is therapeutic. I appreciate you addressing my question. I’m going to put that into practice, just walking away without saying goodbye. It sounds terrifying and empowering at the same time but I know it’s for my own good. I’ve also incorporated drinking flavored club soda the colder the better 🥶. Thanks BC really appreciate your advice. Until next time…
Hey micru! I've heard from someone overseas that drinking cold (non alcoholic) drinks is an American thing . Maybe it's true. I don't want to drink like warm anything. Put some ice on it
An amazing video, I've never watched a video on RU-vid this long from start to finish. The Q&A works so well, it's actually answered many questions I didn't know I wanted to know the answer to and given advice I didn't know I needed before I need it! Thank you
This is captivating! Amazing chat! Love the awareness to know whether you should limit an answer and save the rest for a full-length video. Music is 🔥, vibe is the perfect amount of chill. I just played this while I was making myself a nice dinner and winding down for the night. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Describing it as a miracle devalues how much work you've done towards it. It's not just a miracle, and you deserve to feel proud of what you've accomplished.
It's reassuring to know that I don't have to talk about booze ALL the time. I might test that theory and do a video about something else I'm interested in. Thanks for the question mate!
I love your stories and your voice so much….thank you for your honesty and willingness to speak about this issue that so many of us deal with. Have you relapsed? I feel like it’s a hard thing to predict and manage… How do I contact you directly?
Thanks so much for the compliments! And yeah, I bounced around in relapses for a while. My email should be in the video description if you'd like to reach out :)
Hey brotha, just a quick note, a question, and a small hooray for 3 months sober :D Hope you are well, ya look good, and yer keeping that beard *tight*. Question: is Bat Country a reference to Hunter S. Thompson, or am I reading too much into it? Lastly, it's amazing what you can do when ya get sober--I am going to start, sometime this year, recording videos for youtube and other sharing sites. I started a business (again, amazing what the boredom of sobriety does to some people. Don't want to waste your life and die, like, next week? Let's build something), and I know I shouldn't get **too** distracted and I already have enough experience in photography, living in darkrooms, the smell of fixer, dodging/burning with scraps of paper, what lenses do you really like? I figure for YT shorts it's just gonna be a phone, that's kind of the aesthetic. And I don't have a ton of money to burn, so BlackMagic's are right out of my price range. What works for you? Old and german? ;) Anyways, i'll go back to acting like noble elements and make myself scarce. Love your vids!!
Hello mate! Congrats on your sober time! Stay vigilant, 3 months was a stumbling block for me in the past. Bat Country is indeed a partial reference to Fear and Loathing. I saw bats in a DT hallucination, and after that I felt like I had visited bat country. Give me a nudge when you've started your channel, I'll subscribe straight away. And I'd love to see some of your photography. As for me, you got it in one: most of my lenses are old and German. Most of my recent videos are filmed on a 1961 Meyer Optik Oreston 50mm f1.8 - it's not the most interesting lens I own by far, but it's the most predictable and the most dependable. That lens is one of my favourite possessions. Thanks for the comment mate, I look forward to talking cameras with you soon!
@@_BatCountry heh, that line was the second funniest thing in the movie, the funniest of course was depp in a dino tail :D So I wouldn't say I'm a 'good' photographer, but with so many things, some of the best are mediocre people with mediocre kit showing up at AN INCREDIBLE TIME that just makes shit great. Whenever I make it over to England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland, I just fucking run amok around ruined castles, ancient sites, and act like a kid in a candy shop. The last time I went to New Grange unfortunately i had a pint of whisky with me, but me and my ex wife were literally the only people on the entire grounds, and it was a bright sunny February morning and the shots (no, not those kind 🙃) were magical. I also got amazing footage on a ruined castle next to the north sea during March when I climbed, freestyle, six floors up. The ruin had no floors, it had been largely knocked down by canons two hundred years ago (I should be dead). I got photos at the Cliffs of Mohr in April when they had to close due to weather. The cliffs of Mohr. More like the Cliffs of Insanity. I am gonna get back to shenanigans of some type early next year. I had a surgery in July I wasn't expecting, and I found the reason for the huge amount of seizure, general falling down, and heart murmers and palpitations. Very, very touch and go. The Mayo clinic gives this--basically MRSA in the spinal column next to the nerve running from my cerebellum to my heart) as a straight coin toss for surviving the surgery. I won, and feel a solid 91, 92%. Sp 2025? Sober shenanigans, me droogs!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and it felt like we got to know more about you. Your authenticity and candour shines through. So much to reflect on here I’m not sure where to start. I particularly liked your views on how sobriety gives us more chances for connection and empathy. I was such an insufferable prick when I boozed and nobody could teach me anything. Now I’m only really interested in what I can learn from others. Thank you for this and please run the Q&A format again… we can cover so much ground.
I think the pink cloud is Great! Keep being happy as long as possible in life and especially in sobriety!!!! Anyone who tries to kill your joy and pink cloud are not your friends. A lot of the time, those are the ppl in AA. 🤦🏻♂️ Stay away from HATERS!!!
wasn't sure I'm in the right place. Someone said ck this channel out about alcohol abstinence from alcohol. IS IT " BACK COUNTRY OR BAT country " ? Does anyone know if there is a "BACK country " and I am on the wrong channel? thanks
Bat! Great Q&A! Enjoyed the heck out of it. You touched on a point I’ve pondered quite a bit which helps me enormously in my sobriety: the only time alcohol alleviates my anxiety is when I’m already dependent on it. (A lesson learned through much personal research) It’s almost as though we chase physical dependency on a relapse, just to experience the relief of drinking once we are dependent again. Don’t think too much about the half-assed logic in that approach, or you may need a drink. 🤦♀️Talk about insanity…..Love the channel, keep ‘em coming!
HEY! Good to see you here again. You're right, at the start of a relapse I'm chasing that deep dependence really fast. It makes zero sense. Tanks for watching, and for the comment.
