Bottled-up

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.

Hi all, listen now to the latest episode – Coping with Christmas.https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularityCh...
19/12/2025

Hi all, listen now to the latest episode – Coping with Christmas.

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

Christmas is usually very difficult when you're having to deal with a drinker. The drinking will probably increase, the aggravation and stress may reach new levels, and when everybody is in a party mood, you might just want to hide away. In this episode Lou and John guide you through ways to help you cope with Christmas.

- Magical thinking or realistic expectations (manage your expectations!).
- It's alright to be ambivalent about the festive season!
- Negotiate on certain points.
- If you've had enough of a party, leave.
- Set boundaries.
- Create buffers.
- Find some peace and look after you.

Whether you're a person struggling with an alcoholic in your life, or a person struggling with alcohol, Bottled Up can help. For more advice, guidance, and 1 to 1 counselling and information on the services Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com

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".

17/12/2025

In this week's podcast Lou and John answer your questions.

Questions include: Is it possible to rebuild your relationship with your drinker? Are non-alcholic drinks a good idea? What is grief in a relationship?

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

15/12/2025

Hi everyone. In this week's podcast join John and Lou for a Q&A, covering non-alcoholic drinks, rebuilding your relationship and grieving the loss of your relationship with your alcoholic.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

Whether you're a person struggling with an alcoholic in your life, or a person struggling with alcohol Bottled Up can help. For more advice, guidance, and 1 to 1 counselling and information on the services Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com

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".

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.

10/12/2025

People need motivation to stop drinking.
Listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

What motivates one person to quit alcohol, may not motivate another person. In this episode John and Lou discuss what motivates change, where you or your partner can find motivation to change and how to sustain the change which leads you to life without alcohol. With John's professional research, personal and professional anecdotes and observations, and a structured approach to change, this episode is essential for problem drinkers and those who have to deal with a problem drinker in understanding how to break the cycle of addiction.

Whether you're a person struggling with an alcoholic in your life, or a person struggling with alcohol Bottled Up can help. For more advice, guidance, and 1 to 1 counselling and information on the services Bottled Up provides, visit: www.bottled-up.com

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".

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.

08/12/2025

Hi everyone, in our latest podcast we look at the motivation to change. You can listen here: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity
People need motivation to stop drinking. But what motivates one person to quit alcohol, may not motivate another person. In this episode John and Lou discuss what motivates change, where you or your partner can find motivation to change and how to sustain the change which leads you to life without alcohol. With John's professional research, personal and professional anecdotes and observations, and a structured approach to change, this episode is essential for problem drinkers and those who have to deal with a problem drinker in understanding how to break the cycle of addiction.

07/12/2025

Hi everyone! We are recording some podcasts tomorrow. If you have any questions you would like answering please comment below (or via our private Facebook group). Thanks!

01/12/2025

How is your welfare? Assess the drinking.
Listen to the new podcast: https://pod.link/1824729126?view=apps&sort=popularity

It's difficult for people to assess drinking. But if you, or your partner, can assess their own drinking a fundamental step is taken towards addressing any problems with alcohol.

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