How I overcame alcoholism | Claudia Christian | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool 

Addiction is giving up everything for one thing. Recovery is giving up one thing for everything.

I’m 90 days clean I am never going back please pray for me and other people struggling with this disease

38 years 9 months Clean and sober. The 12 steps of AA helped to clear away the wreckage. Taught me HOW to pray and be of Service to others. In the process of all of this .... God .... the best thing that could ever have happened. Thank you Lord for your patience and mercy.

6 days clean …. Pray for me please .. Doing this for my marriage and my family ! I am 28 years old and I’m really struggling ! We got this !! Saddest thing ever

I'm 37 days sober. Goal is 365 days. Who thinks I'll do it?

Almost all mistakes I ever made in my life were under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol and cigarettes addiction actually destroyed my life. I could remember several years ago after divorce with my wife which brought me into my disastrous journey on Alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until a friend recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

Psilocybin saved my life. I was addicted to alcohol for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in September. I have zero cravings. This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment.

I’m less then 24 hours sober & I am an alcoholic. I’ve been on a binge for about three months & I am so tired.. please keep me in your prayers 🙏

I'm done with drinking guys I've lost so many years with my family please pray for me

Get your head straight if you plan on quitting. Mental illness and addiction go hand in hand. I started seeing a psychiatrist and my cravings are easier to recognize and control. 7 years sober, I nearly fell off in the last few weeks. Talking to someone helped big time. Stay strong, it gets better.

12 days sober and very grateful I went to get help. I’m only 22 and my blood pressure was at stroke level

Who else is coming off an embarrassing drunken alcoholic binge while watching this

Today is going to be my first day of sobriety in almost 10 years. Alchohol has gone from being something fun to something that has taken away so much for me. Today is the day. Wish me luck

I got f**cked up with alcohol for over 8 years. Also suffered severe depression. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. I will be 2 years clean after trying out a psilocybin treatment. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms. Saved my life honestly from addiction and depression.

I decided to become sober after years of alcohol abuse when one day I woke up at noon , with a terrible hangover and suddenly realized that I was 36 years old and I haven’t accomplished anything good in my life. It was a wake up call for me so I needed to change.

She's right about the decade thing. I wanted to stop drinking. I tried and continually relapsed. It was hard and it was depressing. But somewhere after that ten years, I did stop drinking. And in six days, it will be 23 years without alcohol. And life got BETTER.

50 days sober today!! So proud of myself, I never thought I'd be able to do it! I've had some strong cravings this past week but managed to overcome them ☺️✨ Edit: it is the 26th of November 2022 and I never thought I’d get here again. I am once again 50 days sober!! 😁🥰 Edit: as of the 15th of January I am 100 DAYS SOBER! Wow that has gone fast, I am so proud of myself! 🥰

This video changed my life. Thanks to this video, I started taking Naltrexone and within a few weeks all cravings for alcohol subsided, and within months I stopped even thinking about alcohol. I'm so grateful for this video and for the work Claudia did to spread this information. Naltrexone gave me back my life.

This is the most eloquent and well delivered Ted Talk I have ever seen. I have watched it at least six times today and counting, because it affected me so profoundly. When she said, "Please reach out and help others, be kind, share this message with others," I busted. I have struggled with AUD since I was 18 and have always passed out. I am now 38. I'm on the verge of being written up for my attendance at work, losing my apartment, and losing my job. I'm behind on bills. I have cried and cried and cried all day. Thank God I found rehab and my insurance will cover all but $650 of it. I have tried everything. And I am currently drinking as I write this. I think I've relapsed about 16 times and counting now. I don't know if rehab will work, but at this point I'm desperate. Desperate for answers, desperate for help, desperate for hope. Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family. I have never been able to control it. And I am at the end of my rope. It's either I get help, or I die. I wish more people understood the ins and outs of ANY addiction, and all that it entails. It is the most destructive, hellish problem I have ever had to deal with. I feel so alone and this woman has given me hope.

Alcohol gave me the wings to fly, and then took away the sky

Been sober in AA 27+ years. Never have regretted it. Best decision I’ve ever made. Don’t miss feeling sick, guilty or embarrassed. It’s possible. Don’t give up. One Day at a Time.

Hardest part to quit alcohol is social interactions.

For anybody who is going through alcoholism. Try to stop as soon as you can. I stopped mine immediately I did shrooms, my life changed.

I'm at 3 and half weeks no alcohol. Amen thankyou Jesus

My sobriety date is Jan 28, 2018. Since then, I've been promoted at work, I've had raises, I got engaged, I got married, I got out of debt, bought a house, made amends to my loved ones, regained everyone's respect, and have become dependable again. Among many MANY other things. I live a disciplined life that I love. I'm not bored either, I LOVE MY LIFE. The blessings are endless. I'd be naive if I said that alcohol and drugs were not the problem. My journey was painful and difficult but believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can. Try it. Your life will change, for the better too.

This TedTalk saved my life. Successful treatment using the Sinclair method after a year of Naltrexone combined with normal drinking and positive reinforcement on sober days without Naltrexone. 4 1/2 years completely sober and without the help of the Sinclair Method's effect of causing an indifference to alcohol, I wouldn't be here today. Looking back it's hard to imagine that was even my life. Thank you for releasing me from my prison.

Im on my journey of sobriety . . . It’s only been 3 days and I’m praying to god for help to overcome this disease . . . I thought I had it under control but through my blindness it controlled me. I don’t have much money to do all the fancy stuff . . . But I’m not gonna give up I know god has more for me in my life. Keep me in your prayers. . . Thanx to all

I am celebrating 33 Yrs clean & sober on January 5, 2022. It was the hardest thing I've ever done & it's the best thing I've ever done. I thank AA & my AA buddies for my sobriety.

turns out by the comments nobody is here by accident, everyone was looking for this

I started doing drugs since my teenage. Got addicted to fentanyl for over 6 years. Fentanyl addiction actually destroyed my life. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 2 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

I'm 37....I have been drinking since before I was even 18. Both parents alcoholics. I can only tell people that I drink to feel normal for a few hours a day.....and then it repeats day after day. I do function pretty regularly......I can talk anyone into believing the reasons I drink by pointing out how ridiculous this world can be on a daily basis. I desperately want to stop because it's not fair to the love of my life,, even though she doesn't know that it isn't fair. I will drink alone and not bother anyone,, unless they get in my way of me cracking beers at 8 at night until 6 or 7 or 8 in the morning. I can absolutely out drink anyone who tries at this game with me,, I do it to show them that this isn't a game at all when the opportunity presents itself. Wether I'm drunk or sober nobody can tell......But this eats me alive more than it does anyone else. I am confessing all this for anyone who may understand. I have actually found Jesus, I now know why we absolutely need him,, because even my love for God still takes a backseat to my addiction. I am drinking now even though I wake up every day and swear to myself I WILL NOT DRINK TONIGHT.....It's actually pathetic!! Like I said,, I drink to feel normal in this crazy world but that shouldn't be the case...... people like you and me have this ritualistic behavior......I have researched for so many years everything about this and I have found that many people with OCD use alcohol to shut their brains off. Also people who have closed head injuries suffer from severe depression and anxiety like myself,, amd i also have more than 1 closed head injury. I am confessing these details so anyone who reads this and understands the struggle knows they are definitely not alone.....and I need you to know that our families need us and the world needs us and that is why we are Spiritually attacked so heavily! I LOVE YOU

I am starting today, Hoping to never ever ever drink again. Struggling. Fingers crossed for me please!

I hear ya. 13 month coma. Liver psoriasis. Learned how to walk again. Learned how to say my own name. 6..... 6 years out of work. 9 years sober. You can do it.

I struggle facing the fact that I don't want sobriety bad enough. That's the hardest part for me. Accepting that I want alcohol more than sobriety.

I had my first drink when I was 14 years old. My father was an alcoholic. 34 years later and I'm still drinking, I can't stop. I thought that I was always in control, but now at age 54, I see how it ruined my life. I can't stop. I pray everyday to Jesus to help me.

I’m 46 months sober , ODAAT congratulations 🎊

I can't drink cause the next day I feel depressed. Not worth it.

I followed her advice and it changed my life. Incredible. I feel so happy now.

I broke down into sobbing tears when she talked about how they think we need more punishment and to hit "rock bottom" to quit. It's so true, it makes you feel worse when you were already suffering. My heart breaks for every human being who has had to endure a soul-crippling addiction of any kind, that it even exists. Sending my love and prayers to everyone here. 💙🙏

11months in 5 days. no drugs, no rehab, no friends, no AA. its been 6 years of alcohoism. and i had my first birthday without alcohol since i was 16. im now a 23 year old sober person.

I choose to become sober full time, what made me choose to make a turn around was the fact that it was affecting my life around me & especially my grandmother, she told me “turn things around or throw your life away to that stuff”, so I chose to take it to heart & stop drinking altogether in order to better myself & I’m a recovering alcoholic, I’m proud to say that “alcohol will never touch my lips ever again, I’m pro life for myself & for the better of better opportunities for myself”! First official commitment date: 12/01/2022 ❤🙏🏻💪🏻

I did the Sinclair method. It is a miracle for me. First 3 weeks my alcohol consumption was reduced by 70% with more and more craving free days without alcohol. Thank you Claudia for stepping up.

When she said she drank because she was physically addicted to alcohol and not cause of trauma or a bad life.. it's like she explained my life..

I'm 48hours sober. Stay strong (any one else who struggles) God be with you.

I came across this video 7 months ago after hitting rock bottom. I got naltrexone shortly after. It has changed my life. Thank you, I really mean it.

After 5 rehabs and countless detox's, I lost everything. Family, friends, my marriage and still fighting to get sober. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and will ask him about this treatment. Im at the point, I will try anything.

I drank daily from age 20 to age 34. Tried to quit several times during those years and once was able to stay sober for 6 months. During those six months, there were intense cravings and a strong desire to drink at nearly all times. One drink ruined that sober period and plunged me back into my habit again. Alcohol absolutely ran my life, every last little thing revolved around my habit. To this day I do not know how I stopped drinking. I had resigned myself to my alcoholism and given up on any attempts to quit. One night I was fairly drunk and went to take another sip of whiskey, it tasted bad to me and I poured it out. Haven't had a drink since. It's been 1.5 years and I've had no cravings or desire to drink what so ever.

I'm an alcoholic too and I've been sober now for 7 years :)

I'm bawling. My psych teacher had us watch this. As a 25 year old who started heavily drinking at an early age this really slapped me in the face but gave me hope. I'm 7 months sober now and I reeeeaaaaally resonate with the part where she was talking about being sober for 6 months and thinking "hey I think I can have one drink, I'll be able to control myself" Then spiraled. I keep having this same thought thinking I'd be able to come back with control. but I know that what happened to her is exactly what would happen to me. I just don't care about my li it at all when drinking. Surround yourself with people who care about you and listen to yourself, sober. It can save you from so much life changing damage.

After many "types of treatments " only to relapse again and again I can now with confidence state that , as with Claudia Christian, I joined a programme called SAHARA which also involves Naltrexone treatment by a doctor to detox and help to see the monster for what it is and then followed up with weekly counselling sessions. All at no cost !!! I've been sober for 120 days and still going strong, thanks to this treatment programme

To all those inflicted with alcohol addiction: I am sorry for all those who judge you and I am sorry for the hardships you face to get clean. Much love and good luck xo

After years of alcoholism I tried naltrexone and I am 1 year sober and am still going strong..it’s taken away all my cravings and I have absolutely no desire to consume alcohol...thank you for this video it really did save my life x

This pill changed my life. I went from three bottles of wine in one sitting to barely being able to finish a glass. I know that I *can* have a drink and do so on occasion. I don't get that rush of euphoria and warmth anymore, so I simply enjoy the taste and there's no reason to keep going to maintain that buzz, because the buzz no longer exists. I'm free.

I have ruined my relationships with people because of alcohol. Thank you for this.

This vídeo literally saved my life. Never gonna be able to thank enough for this.

Props to this woman. So often we believe highly successful people can’t have problems, or that they aren’t also grasping in desperation like those with fewer resources at their disposal. Drugs are one of nature’s true equalizers. It cares not who you are or where you come from. I’m with you, sister. Right here with you.

4 months clean and Naltrexone coupled with AA was the key. Praying for those still out there..

I had been battling alcoholism since my early 20s and I never wanted to take Naltrexone cause I thought I could do it myself ha! When I got to the VA hospital I was offered it again I took it and have been sober 8 years and counting 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

34 days clean. Brother overdosed and passed away 37 days ago. Good luck to us all.

That was an absolutely outstanding speech. I only wish that I had seen it much sooner. I lost my mother four years ago due to alcoholism. If I ever encounter anyone who has fallen into the miserable abyss of alcoholism I will most definitely recommend that they try “The Sinclair Method” of treatment. Thanks so much for posting this. 🙏🏽

Checking back in, im now 8 and a half years sober 🎉 Claudia i watch your talk a few times each year as reminder of the journey ive embarked on. ❤

Last drop I had was back in '94. 26 years sober.

Never been to an AA meeting, but I will keep coming back here for strength!!!

I saw this video soon after it was posted, a couple thousand views. I have never had more than one drink since I first saw it. Now, I haven't had a drink in years! My goal is not abstinence, but I am never interested in drinking. Maybe one day... Thanks Claudia for spreading the word about TSM

I got sober with AA ...28 years sober just for today...I hope everybody gets well soon

Keys to quitting: find a more constructive hobby to fill the void, and do not take your friends and family seriously when they say “it’s ok to have just a couple”. Know that deep down almost everyone wishes they can quit like you did, and that you are doing something special and honorable by staying sober!

Now I can finally understand what my brother is going through. Thank You so much for enlightening me. I will be more patient and compassionate going forward...

I went to AA in 97 & thanks to the people there, my sponsor, family, friends & “The Man Upstairs” I haven’t had a drink since.

August 21,2020... Will be 7 years sober. LOVE A.A.❤️

Thanks to AA and having a wonderful sponsor and meetings I don’t have to take a pill to stay sober. I have 26 years and am living my best life! AA works if we work it!❤

I realized I just wanted to forget my whole life at the end of the day. Work was a good day, but regret of most of my life made me forget it.

So powerful. I am 24 years sober from drugs and 4 years sober from alcohol. I almost let 2021 get the best of my sobriety but I DIDN'T!! Being sober is the best gift I have ever given myself.

Alcohol. Worst drug ever.

Thanks to this Claudia Christian talk I took the plunge and decided to get help and hopefully take naltrexone and today is the day of that journey. Thank you Ted talks and Claudia ✨

Randomly came upon this Tedx. I have been on Naltrexone for 7 months now after departing from treatment and my life and drinking habits have ultimately changed, so drastically that it's like a rebirth. Loved this video.

My Brother died from it, he was relatively young, I stopped last year it’s been tough but in October I’ll have a year Clean & Sober....12 steps and Praying 🙏 helps...

Wow, I didn't even plan on watching five minutes. Watched from start to finish captivated. I want to get rid of alcohol from my life so bad.

Alcoholism is deadly I watched it destroy my family on every single level.

I was an alcoholic for twenty years of my life, it took a severe overdose where I almost died for the penny to drop for me, I said to myself I am not doing this anymore to myself and I am proudly five years sober, I did it all on my own, with willpower and the love of God xxx

I just got 4 months sober. My whole life has improved in every way imaginable

It works. Or it did for me at least. I made two changes to my life, and haven't had a single incident since. I use naltrexone when I drink and I switched to low alcohol (2.5%) beer. I went from the guy that always took a bottle to bed with me becase I couldn't miss out on one last drink for the night, to the guy that now loses interests halfway through a bottle, and has found ways to put the cap back on so it's not wasted, so I don't have to feel bad for tipping it out. more importnatly, I went from the angry drunk guy who yelled at my wife, to the usual kind and friendly guy I am any time I'm not wasted. Better yet, other than taking the pill, and omg the hoops you have to jump through to get them here in NZ is insane, it was effortless. It was a natural progression. A huge thankyou to Claudia, and the work she does. I can't even imagine how my life would have gone without this.

Great to hear your story - I'm currently battling alcoholism myself and one day I hope to be in your position; better, sober and free from "the curse" of it

I have literally lost everything and was recently diagnosed with multiple skin cancers. Alcohol Use Disorder is a progressive killer. For everyone who has this monster on their back, lets pray together.

To everyone who has commented on this video, I am rooting for you. I am sorry you struggle. I have faith in you and your strength. Good luck

My psychiatrist mentioned this method to me just last week and then I found this TED talk! I'm pumped

Very brave of her to be so open, and very well said. Kudos to her.

AA saved my life. I tried absolutly everything to stop and nothing worked. It took me a few tries because I wasn't willing enough. I use to couldnt go a day without drinking. My sobriety date is 11/15/16

Im 3 days off. ❤ I hope i can do it for eternal life

I am glad she has found something that worked. For me, the journey would not be the same without the spiritual journey I have recieved through AA. If I had taken a medication route, I would not have had the opportunity to be the person I am today, surrounded by a community of people like me, and with a connection to something more than myself. A medication could work, but I hope this woman may find this wonderful path of growth in the future.

Saw this vid three years ago. Helped me greatly back then. But stress from work hit me big time and I can sincerely say that I ran away from this vid. I finally said quits to my job albeit it in six months advance, and that brought me back the strength to face this vid again and am glad for it. I’ve slowly started moving forward by seeing doctors, taking tests and meds, and readying myself for rehab. I’ve earned enough to retire, but still need to endure another five months at work. I am glad to be living in Japan, where I have no needs to worry for my medical bill, but will need the courage to march on for another few months.

I’m 10 years sober due to naltrexone. I had to do the research myself. It wasn’t offered to me by 20+ doctors. I had to ask for it which is sad IMO. I’m still frustrated by that. I destroyed half of my life due to addiction to pills and alcohol and I just needed one pill a day to cure it. I now own two houses and a small business. I’m still fixing mistakes from my past. Including family relationships.

Thank you for this video. I grew up with an addict my father he died 2 years ago from alcohol and I've been drinking since I feel sad, lots of depression I hide for days don't return calls stop talking to friends and family .I turned into a monster and I'm trying so hard to get out!!! today I made the choice to stop for good wish me luck and lots of prayers.

Claudia gave an incredible Ted talk! Wow. She really shared her experiences and how she overcame AUD eloquently.

I am in AA fellowship and I am sober for the last 742 days.. one day at a time... no medications, no injections... I am not only away from alcohol but I am able to identify by defects of character...

I'm killing myself with alcoholism. I want so bad to get better,,, I'm tired of disappoint the love of my life. Thank you so much for sharing your history. Of all the substances I have used in my life, this is the one that's most dangerous and the one that made me more harm. The one that I'm still fighting and it's very hard to overcome. I wish everyone in this same battle the streng to overcome this.

“That’s just a billboard” every drinker here felt that.

21yrs sober sending love to everyone in it, trying to overcome it, and sober The struggle is very very very real

38 years ago I had had enough. I told my mom I was tired of the life of alcoholism . 1984. No rehabs on every corner. Had to go to a state hospital. Went in Saturday night. 3 days detoxing. Hallucinations. Woke up on Tuesday sober. 28 days later went home. Gained 20 lbs. Never looked back . No AA. No shrinks. You have to make up your mind. You have to WANT to stop.

Am 23 and addicted to alcohol which has made me lose the love from my family. we pray that God will help us through this. nice talk Ted