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Bottled-up

Bottled Up helps people who live with a problem drinker, and people struggling with alcohol.

Founded by Dr. John McMahon and Lou Lewis, they are experts in addiction and counselling, through their own experiences they want to empower you to make change. Lou and John created Bottled Up because, just like you, they have also suffered the effects of alcoholism. Because they know that sense of being alone, not knowing where to turn. They started Bottled Up to help and support you and others like you. Lou was married to an alcoholic for 29 years till his death and talks openly about the mistakes she made, the times she got it right and the lessons she learned. John was an alcoholic and addict (clean and sober since 1984) and is completely frank about his drinking and recovery. Between them they provide a rare insight into both sides of the issue, the drinker and the partner. But they bring more than personal experience, they also bring professional training and experience. Lou is a therapist with her own counselling practice, so she brings a knowledge of strategies for change. John is a psychologist who taught addiction counsellors at the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Studies at Paisley University and who has published widely and presented his research at many international conferences.

13/02/2026

Early in your relationship, if you suspect there are problems with drinking, then boundaries are essential.
New series - What I Wish I Had Known...
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

12/02/2026

Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

In this new podcast series Lou talks with John and reflects on what she wishes she had known at the start of her relationship with her drinker. Lou and John discuss how early signs of problem drinking can be overlooked when falling in love. They explain the importance of addressing problem drinking as soon as possible, and the early love you feel gives you rare leverage to set boundaries. This episode encourages listeners to recognise warning signs early and protect themselves from long-term emotional harm.

Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go".

For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com

Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years.

Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers.

John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life.

11/02/2026

There is power in love. You have influence early on if somebody is having problems with alcohol. Use it before circusmtances get worse. Listen to our new podcast series "What I wish I had known" here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

09/02/2026

Hi everyone. New podcast out now. What I wish I had known - at the start of my relationship... ❤
In this new podcast series Lou and John reflect on what they wish they had known about alcohol addiction and how their experiences can help you with your problem drinker. Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

06/02/2026

You can't stop the drinking, buy you can INFLUENCE that change.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity
In this episode John and Lou answer your questions. They look at the question of not covering up for your drinker, retaining dignity and not making excuses. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

05/02/2026

You want to protect your alcoholic from the shame.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity
In this episode John and Lou answer your questions. They look at the question of not covering up for your drinker, retaining dignity and not making excuses. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

04/02/2026

New Q&A episode

Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

In this episode John and Lou answer your questions. They look at the question of not covering up for your drinker, retaining dignity and not making excuses. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

03/02/2026

New Q&A episode out now.
https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity
In this episode John and Lou answer your questions. They look at the question of not covering up for your drinker, retaining dignity and not making excuses. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

02/02/2026

Hi everyone, in this week's podcast, Lou and John answer your questions.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

They look at the question of not covering up for your drinker, retaining dignity and not making excuses. They also explore accepting somebody’s alcoholism whilst not condoning it, influencing your drinker in a positive way, and problem drinkers taking responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

30/01/2026

You may know that John was an alcoholic for many years. It has had a profound effect on his life. Now sober for more than 40 years John has written his autobiography "No Cloistered Life". It's a remarkable story, funny, moving, insightful and hugely inspiring, going from "drunk to a doctor" in a decade.

You can buy John's book here": https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Cloistered-Life-John-McMahon/dp/1897913990/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HOO61MWAQJNQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m_PDTPlItSR70ndooUbxJ1svpkHbcmA0xnTbbsMTEks.EAAB3SpSH4Q9Co1micaOy2Hlzh9xeYfPtf7agL5m4oE&dib_tag=se&keywords=no+cloistered+life&qid=1769092410&sprefix=no+cloistered+life%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

No Cloistered Life is a memoir charting a course through addiction, recovery, and a search for meaning, against a backdrop of an aborted foray into priesthood, hippiedom, failed marriages, and a return to academia, a new found faith, and marriage.

Please be very clear that, at Bottled Up we strongly advise people not to remain in violent or abusive relationships. We understand fully that in many cases circumstances can become untenable. We discuss this fully in our Podcast "Should I Stay or Should I Go".

For more information on the service Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com

Dr John McMahon is a professor and was the senior lecturer for addiction counsellors at the University of the West of Scotland. He has led prominent studies into alcohol addiction for more than 15 years. Before this, for many years, John had an addiction to alcohol. He has been sober for over 40 years.

Lou Lewis is a professional counsellor and the co-founder of Bottled Up with John. Lou's first husband had an addiction to alcohol for many years, from that experience and her counselling Lou has a deep understanding of the difficulties of living with problem drinkers.

John and Lou are married and live in England. They founded Bottled Up in the hope that it would help change your life.

28/01/2026

What will you do, now you're sober?
The new podcast out now. https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

26/01/2026

Hi everyone. Today's podcast is a little bit different. John has written his memoir and in this podcast he talks to Lou a bit about his life and the book.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

You may know that John was an alcoholic for many years. It has had a profound effect on his life. Now sober for more than 40 years John has written his autobiography "No Cloistered Life". It's a remarkable story, funny, moving, insightful and hugely inspiring, going from "drunk to a doctor" in a decade.

You can buy John's book here": https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Cloistered-Life-John-McMahon/dp/1897913990/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HOO61MWAQJNQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m_PDTPlItSR70ndooUbxJ1svpkHbcmA0xnTbbsMTEks.EAAB3SpSH4Q9Co1micaOy2Hlzh9xeYfPtf7agL5m4oE&dib_tag=se&keywords=no+cloistered+life&qid=1769092410&sprefix=no+cloistered+life%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

No Cloistered Life is a memoir charting a course through addiction, recovery, and a search for meaning, against a backdrop of an aborted foray into priesthood, hippiedom, failed marriages, and a return to academia, a new found faith, and marriage.

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https://bottled-up.com/, https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

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