HeyJaredBottled Up: Help for families of alcoholics and those struggling with alcoholism
Alcoholism and problem drinking is a destructive force, but help is at hand. Join experts Dr. John McMahon and Lou Lewis for kitchen table conversations offering help, advice, coping strategies and encouragement for both people who live with an alcoholic (problem drinker) and…
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 4
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- Sep 14, 2026
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- Jul 20, 2026
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Is my partner an alcoholic or am I making a fuss? (opens the original)
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Join John and Lou for a kitchen table conversation as they consider one of the fundamental questions of problem drinking - assessing whether your partner is an alcoholic. You might think there is a problem, but you are unsure. This could be through fear of recognising the issue, uncertainty as to what the symptoms might be, or you may be told by your partner, or others, that you are making a fuss. This episode gives you two ways to consider the question - the assessment used by clinicians (the D
Why Change Works (opens the original)
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Change can feel impossible when alcohol has taken over family life – but you’re not powerless. In this episode, John talks about why change works and how families can help create the conditions that encourage it. John talks about why problem drinkers often fear life without alcohol, the importance of allowing consequences to happen, setting boundaries and building positive alternatives. Crucially, change isn’t about taking responsibility for someone else’s drinking. It’s about recognising that y
Have you thought about counselling? (opens the original)
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If you’re struggling and wondering what to do next, perhaps it’s time to talk. Living with problem drinking can leave you exhausted, confused and questioning your own judgement. Sometimes, simply talking to someone who genuinely understands can make an enormous difference. In this episode John talks through Bottled Up’s one-to-one counselling and how it can help anybody affected by problem drinking. Whether you need someone to listen, reassurance that you’re not imagining the problem, practical
Understanding and using an Intervention (opens the original)
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Family interventions are one of the most effective yet least-used ways of helping someone with a drinking problem. Many families assume they are too complicated or fear making things worse, but a well-planned intervention can become a powerful catalyst for change. In this episode, John and Lou talk about John's new book "How to Plan and Deliver an Effective Intervention" and explore a practical, step-by-step approach to preparing and delivering an intervention with confidence, compassion and pur
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