David Testimonial
Can you tell me about yourself?
I was drinking heavily from around the age of 30. I was working away from home, living in a hotel, and I was bored in the evenings. I ended up drinking every night. Then I’d go home for the weekend and, because it was the weekend, I’d be socialising and drinking again… so I started drinking every day from that age.
How much were you drinking before joining Just The Tonic?
Over 100 units a week. I was drinking a bottle of wine every night—at least—and often topping that up with several gin and tonics. Usually treble gin and tonics. So I was easily having 15 units a day, which is more than someone should drink in a week.
That became my normal. I wasn’t drinking less, and on some occasions I was drinking more. It was the same pattern every day.
How long had you been drinking like this?
Around 30 years. Over time my drinking became much heavier, and that level carried on for a significant period.
What was the impact on your life?
It was affecting my health. I played a lot of sport, and alcohol was having a huge impact on my performance. It affected my work life because I’d wake up in the morning and not be as sharp or fit for work as I should be.
Most importantly, it impacted my relationship with my wife and my children. When you live with someone who’s alcohol-dependent—or a functioning alcoholic as my wife would describe me—it has a big effect on everyone.
There were arguments. I couldn’t handle disagreements well. That created resentment, which became a vicious cycle. The tension at home made me drink more, and the drinking made the tension worse.
What made you decide to take action?
For several years I knew I needed to do something. I’d go to bed thinking:
“Tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow I won’t have a drink.”
But the next day came, and as the day wore on the urge got stronger. The bottle of wine would be opened again. The cycle just repeated.
Then I read something in a newspaper about Just The Tonic Coaching. It made me realise:
Trying to fix this on my own wasn’t working. I’d been doing the same thing over and over with no change.
My wife had told me I needed help, but the thought of going to AA didn’t sit right with me. It didn’t feel like the right solution. That’s what made me explore this approach instead—something private, discreet and designed for people who were drinking too much but still functioning at a high level.
What was it like in the beginning of the programme?
I was very apprehensive. I genuinely didn’t think I could go a day without alcohol.
I believed the glass of red wine relaxed me. I also believed I couldn’t sleep without alcohol. So I justified drinking by telling myself it helped me sleep. I had a lot of preconceived ideas about alcohol and its “positive” effects.
But I kept an open mind. I’d invested in myself. I owed it to myself—and to my partner—to give it everything.
How did you manage to cut down and then stop?
I made a promise to start going to bed at the same time as my wife.
I cut out the gin and tonics first. Then I would make a single bottle of wine last the whole evening—just small sips.
After about three weeks I reduced to half a bottle of wine.
During that period, I managed my first alcohol-free day. I kept myself busy because boredom was a big trigger. One night around half nine, I debated whether to make the day alcohol-free. Eventually I decided:
“Just go for it.”
That’s when the momentum started. One day became two… then three.
Each small win gave me confidence. I realised:
I could sleep without alcohol.
I could get through an evening without drinking.
Those were my biggest mental barriers.
What was the support like?
The WhatsApp group was a key part of my alcohol-free journey. No judgement. Everyone supporting each other. You realise you’re not alone—you’re surrounded by people just like you, with the same goal.
The modules had an unconscious impact. You don’t realise it immediately, but they start rewiring your thinking in the background.
The one-to-one sessions were excellent.
Put all those elements together and the programme works as a whole system.
(Learn more about the programme here: Alcohol-Free Coaching Programme)
How do you feel now that you are alcohol-free?
I’ve got control now. Alcohol isn’t controlling me anymore—I decide.
I’ve lost 5 kilograms. I can fit into shirts I haven’t worn in years. My snooker performance has improved massively—I’m clearer, more focused, and my win ratio has soared.
My memory has improved too. I can remember conversations again.
My relationship with my daughter has improved. She tells me she’s proud of me. We now speak twice a week instead of once every fortnight.
And my relationship with my wife has transformed. Because that vicious circle is gone, our relationship has dramatically improved in just a matter of weeks.
What would you tell others who are struggling or drinking too much?
Take the leap of faith.
Get into the mindset that you truly want change, and then commit to the process.
Celebrate small wins, build confidence, and embrace the programme—and the people in it. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
There is so much to gain.
Just get on and do it.