Drinking and how it changed my life: Ann Dowsett-Johnston at TEDxHomeBushRdWomen
2024 ж. 19 Мам.
1 511 927 Рет қаралды
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I am 21 years sober and drug free. My niece got married this summer and my sister called me to tell me ,"You didn't make the cut" and she said you cannot come to the wedding because "You have a problem with alcohol and marijuana " I said no I don't. I just can't be around pot and I don't care if people are drinking around me" she didn't change her mind. My other sister told me around the same time of the wedding, "you are the Only person I know in my many different circle of friends who does not drink or smoke pot" 21 years sober and still in my family I am the odd one out, both when I was drinking and now sober. I wouldn't be 71 years old if i hadn't stopped drinking. I would be dead. I own and operate my own small business and am self supporting thru my own contributions, when I was drinking I was unemployable. I am trusted by my clients to care for their animals and homes, when I was drinking I couldn't be trusted at all, with anything and always seemed to need to be bailed out of something I had done because of drinking and drugging. One Day at a time I am free of the wreck drinking and drugging made of my life. One Day at a time I make the choice to not drink, not smoke pot, and forgive those who still judge me, however misguided they are.
Hi, I’m 20 years sober and I’m 72. I agree some of my family and friends still think I shouldn’t be around alcohol. Oh well, I’m glad you are sober and I’m so grateful I’m sober?
@@margaretsteedley6009 yes. We have much to be grateful for overall. Thank you.
God Bless you,you sound like a wonderful person.I have family that seem to treat me the same way,so i stay away from them and pray for them.Enjoy your life and don't worry about what other's think,that is their problem.
It amazes me how unforgiving people are especially families when you ask for forgiveness and they have done plenty wrong themselves great job was to stay in the sober. I ruined my life my career and my relationships oh for what wine. Congratulations I’m trying but it’s really hard
I think a lot of people don't realize they are physically dependent until it's too late which is why I am not a big supporter of harm reduction programs; they set you up for failure. I have one living relative I'm 65 sober 5 yrs and she is in the 12 step program and doesn't speak to me because I was functional and it took a long time and ... I was probably an alcoholic when I was sixteen even though I hadn't had a drink yet so no way to test the thesis ... I do live one day at a time and a small dog and my work and friends keep me focussed and present. Yes I miss my sis. I am glad she is in the world and I leave it there. Is that easy? No. But necessary. Best best wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 days sober, longest I’ve been sober in 1.5 years
Keep going.... it’s very much worth it. Nice work! ❤️
I am seven yrs sober,mindful drinking is just another term for controlling alcohol. Mindful drinking is not appropriate for those with a dependency on alcohol as it could end up masking a deeper issue and a person not seeking professional help.
Diana hope you are doing well.
I gave it up as well, after being hospitalized and placed on suicide watch for four days. That's the tragedy part. The happily ever after is I am now 3 1/2 years sober and have discovered that my efforts have inspired some others in my community to stop drinking also. I cling to my streak with a loving endless hug. Every day is another day I can add to my total, and every day it's my new favorite number. You owe it to yourself to know that feeling. It becomes a quiet secret reason to celebrate each day, in your mind and your heart you come to find that you are so much stronger and more powerful that you can even conceive. You owe it to yourself to know your mettle, and conquering booze is a great way to harness that knowledge. I am proud of you, Diana!! You got this! "We love you, and we need you. We get scared, and even angry sometimes but please forgive us, because we love you, and we need you so much more than we realize, so please don't give up."- Humanity
Lou Standards I really appreciate your words of encouragement, I can say I am 44 days clean today and I am really looking forward to continuing my streak. I will say some days are way harder than others but it’s words like these that keep me going, just knowing that I am not alone in this and that people come out in the other side. 😊🥰
I loved this. Professional women especially need to hear this right now. Thank you!
Thanks for the talk. I'm sober 49 years in AA.
49 years in AA without understanding the concept of anonymity. That is SAD!
Regardless, congrats William, that is awesome!
That's more than impressive William.
@@louiefoster7884 lol it's about other people, not yourself, you dingbat.
Congratulations @william Kennedy very inspiring & fantastic achievement Much love to you xx
Thank you for this video. It’s 2am and I’m drinking my 8th beer. I drink every night. I have drank 8 beers every night for the last 4 years since I’ve been separated from my abusive ex husband. I drink to numb. I drink to escape life. I have PTSD. I’ve lost myself. I’m a shell of my former self. I’m a walking zombie. I cannot function and hate myself. I hope one day I can overcome this horrible addiction
I hope one day you can too. KA ...do you have someone to reach out to ? There are many groups , friendly supportive understanding and knowledgeable. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I am seeing this comment 9 months after you posted it. I hope that you were able to overcome this issue and if you haven’t it’s not too late. God bless 🙏
Get some Naltrexone and follow the Sinclair method
How you doing now poppet?
You will overcome it. It’s not going to be easy, but you will.
Mushrooms completely changed my whole life. I became a better version of myself This experience gave me a lot of confidence about myself and my body. A bunch of bad thought/behavior patterns were broken. One of these were pretty bad OCD that made me wash my hands a lot. It gave me a lot of hope that thing will be fine, this is one thing that I heard throughout the trip; Everything is alright. The main reason for the trip was my severe depression and it definitely helped me(although it's not gone). Before all I could do was lay in bed. Now I am trying to rebuild my life one step at a time which wasn't possible before.
Overcoming the power of addiction is no easy achievement. Every day can be a struggle against inner turmoil and outside pressures, exerting influence on you😢
A lot of people have testified about this and I really want to give it a shot. I put so much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels
@@JulieAkinDoes he make deliveries across the states??
Tripping is not really bad but find a good mycologist Who will teach you the right things you need to know
Mush_pharm is the best, he's been my supplier for anything psychedelics.
I quit drinking 13 years ago and took it to the gym, train hard everyday and have never been happier.
@AC Michelin Good luck to you brother, exercise everyday at the same time and it will become a habit and take over where the alcohol has left off. AA meetings helped me in the beginning just as a good place to go instead of a bar and to be among people who are also going through the struggle.
@AC Michelin You are welcome, you are on the right path, all the best to you and your family.
@AC Michelin I drink at the gym Workouts are better
What do u do if u go on outings?
that definitely worked for me. i need to get back to it!!! riding a bike also was immensely helpful.
223 days sober today. Thank you for your truthfulness, your story.
Day 6 in about an hour.
6 weeks sober and i feel so awakened, physically and mentally
Wow, an inspiring story. I began my sobriety journey 11 days ago....
Well dun 1 day at a time hav u tried t AA meeting
Good for stay strong.
@@jamalsinjab5137 OK thanks its hard times now corona virus no meeting but we got our phone and we can listen to shares and talk to other members 😷👍
Hi well done 2 u are u still sober pal
stay strong one day at a time
I gave up alcohol 3 months before my daughter was born. I'm now 16 months sobers and feeling great. Best decision i've ever made
And how are you now? Are you well and able to change things for yourself and put energy into yourself so you both benefit?
Is your baby okay?
health issues could be a symptom of mercury poisoning. Anyone struggling should google Andy Cutler, read the article by Rebecca Rust Lee on the Weston Price website (just google these tree names and it will come up) And read the Cutler success stories by googling this. Please do, it really is the only safe way and yo will learn why it has helped so many. Wish you all the best!
Ann, you are amazing and shining your light! And what a son you have. Congrats!! 🙏❤️
@@hippiecheezburger5457 he wssnt pregnant his girl was 😂😂
You got me! Made a grown man cry. I wish everyone could watch this.
At 35 years sober, I know for fact, you lose things when you sober up. Things you wonder if you can live without. These are the very things that were killing you. In hindsight, the loss turns into great gains. The greatest gain is a life of accountability, integrity and peace of mind. Nice job on this TedX talk
Amen sister! Sobriety has been the greatest adventure of my life.
You save a lot of money and time. You might lose friends but you can always increase the number of friends you have. You can't get back the time you've spent.
health issues could be a symptom of mercury poisoning. Anyone struggling should google Andy Cutler, read the article by Rebecca Rust Lee on the Weston Price website (just google these tree names and it will come up) And read the Cutler success stories by googling this. Please do, it really is the only safe way and yo will learn why it has helped so many. Wish you all the best!
I appreciate this so much ty
Notable! Thank you. Your words give me deep thoughts, Much needed. Love an light on your journey.
You just told my story!!!!!!!! "But it's only wine and if it were dangerous all of Europe would be alcoholics"..that is what I told myself ...7 years sober...God bless you..NOW write THAT down!!xo
in dark difficult times, her son reminds me that reaching for gratitude can heal my perspective..thank you
7 months pregnant/7 months sober! Longest I've been sober in over 10 years... it's been nice to remember what clarity feels like... despite the occasional prego-brain moment!
Stay that way. You can do the same things you did before, only you'll get bored fast if it's all booze-centered.
Am from Kenya and its the same big problem here.started AA yesterday.
My first time sober - I loved telling everyone about my high bottom. My second time sober was while living in my travel trailer. Life is awesome now but omg what a bumpy ride back to sanity. Bless you AA.
So eloquent, beautifully spoken. The heavy lifting of getting sober...and the shame of female drinking. I’m on that journey now and this really hits home.
Hearing you speak of your son and his love for you warmed my heart. Very very much.
I'm interested to know, how old was your son at that time?
I empathize 100%. I'm an alcoholic and drug addict, clean and sober since 28-1-1994, one day at a time. Life has never been easy, even after becoming clean and sober, well especially after becoming clean and sober. There is nothing to hide behind, no drink or drugs to mask my life and emotions. Rehab and AA helped me so much, I am eternally grateful to both. Rehab introduced me to AA. I tried many times to self-detox...............never worked, before rehab. The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the Serenity To Accept the things I cannot change Courage to change the things i can And Wisdom to know the difference. It is so, so dear to me. Living my life one day at a time and trying to live in the moments of each day is how I do it. The past is gone, the future is unknown, so living in the present clean and sober is such a gift.
Boring BS
AA was a joke to me. A room full of self-pitiers. Constantly talking about what losers they were (their words not mine). AA is not for everyone.
Thank You for gentle reminder...love the sernity prayer for many reasons....
I'm in tears listening to this because of my family dynamics. Thank you for sharing.
As a recovering alcoholic and a speaker, I truly appreciate this story. Thank you for sharing! You’re an inspiration!
Whether or not you get hired again, you did the right & noble thing.
Time to be her own boss.
Hopefully the book will make her rich enough to not need a job!
See similar problem in India. Especially metros. It is not an easy fight - personally (went through a tough time) and being subjected to so much marketing impressions. But thank you for this. It did help me to stay om course. The happiness that we get from alcohol or drugs, is a momentary high. Win a pitch. Hey lets celebrate with a drink. And no one stops at one. Bottom line.
health issues could be a symptom of mercury poisoning. Anyone struggling should google Andy Cutler, read the article by Rebecca Rust Lee on the Weston Price website (just google these tree names and it will come up) And read the Cutler success stories by googling this. Please do, it really is the only safe way and yo will learn why it has helped so many. Wish you all the best!
@@siriolsen7805 please elaborate
'Our secrets keep us sick' - so very true. Thank you, Ann Dowsett-Johnston for an excellent talk. So sorry about your lovely, dear, wonderful mom, that happened to too many women in that era.
Inspiring talk
Thank you for this. She spoke her message beautifully. Speaking about these things to so many takes courage. I recently relapsed. I thought after 1 year or so sober I could drink socially once.. well that didn't work. I pray for anyone suffering from alcohol addiction. May we all be lifted from this burden and instead use our time, money and energy to make the world a better place. Blessings to everyone ❤
You can add me to your list as well You got me back.... Today I stop drinking Thank you for being such a brave, witty, articulate, kind woman and sharing your story
i'm trying to keep from drinking too. all the best to you - good luck! i
Thank you so much for your talk Ann, I am just now seriously addressing my problem with alcohol before it’s too late. I grew up in an alcoholic household and never thought I’d be on my way to raising my children in the same environment after the domestic violence and emotional turmoil I grew up with. Enough is enough now and I am kicking my relationship with this poison to the curb in favour of a more healthy lifestyle and to be a better role model for my kids. It’s a hard slog but an even harder slog is dying a slow death from liver cancer or winding up with alcohol-induced dementia as my grandmother did 😢
You can do it. My sister is sober 25 years BUT it all started with day one....stay strong.
How is it going?
I recommend "The Easy Way to Control Alcohol" by Allen Carr.
How’s it going? Is it going well?
What a loving and wise son you made.
Ann Dowsett Johnston YOU got everything back... others nearly lost YOU - Welcome Back ! Thank you for your courage !!
Thank you 🙏🙌 So wonderful. Almost 16 months sober here 🦋🦋🦋
❤
thankyou for your courage and grace....i'm sober now 25yrs...the gains are my life vs not a life...
I am very grateful that alcohol has no pull for me. My dad was a very abusive alcoholic and he basically traumatized all of us. Our family is a mess because of it, and I don't drink at all.
petmom ful Good for you for being one of the few capable of learning from the mistakes of others and not keeping your family curse alive
My mother never drank or anything but I don’t drink because it ages you faster. It’s pure vanity that keeps me from alcohols door lol.
Good for you & good for your family! 👍🏼💖💕
I need to read this woman's book! "I drank much more than you are imagining." Grateful to be Sober, clean and happy 9 months today 4-11-19 !! Get a sponser, you cannot beat this on your own if you are the real deal 💔
This made me cry. Good for me, being able to feel.
Indeed this was powerful
At least it hasn't made us do that. Definitely get emotional when I don't have a drink :/ I've been cutting back. It's So hard to stop. Im Still drinking a pint a day at least smh I know if I don't stop now it's going to get
made me cry too, I am feeling more emotions these days and thank you for saying that. I am happier when I feel more emotional and connected to people and my work. I need to feel emotional, I am an artist too. I drink, but once or twice a week now, so this is great news, I am no longer depressed. I am happy with my life and very grateful each day.
Bravo ! My older sister died from alcohol related illness at 43. Watching my mother go through that was an utter and complete nightmare.
Byron Graham so sorry for your loss. Bless.✨
Bravo! Ann, I am also you! Your message is important and true.
Congratulations on the sobriety, strength and charisma! I'm so happy for you
I've never been a heavy drinker, but my husband is. I found myself drinking every day because I wanted HIM to have less to drink. Given that I have been unemployed since Covid hit SA in April last year, I have a good excuse to drink. I decided to do OcSober this year for the first time, mainly to show myself and my 17-yr-old daughter that I/she can do anything I/she sets my mind to. 17 days and I can't believe how wonderful I feel! I am 51 years old today, am the daughter of an alcoholic dad and a mom who really shouldn't have drank. Old habits die hard, but I am me. I start exercising next month, not to loose menopause weight, but to sleep even better, breathe easier and take advantage of the very real feeling of my regenerating organs, the return of my memory and energy.
Amen i wish you all the power to keep going
I watch these videos to give me hope. I’m the parent of a 23 year old drug addict/alcoholic son. I hope one day he is sober and telling a great story like this.
What a loving and wise son you helped make.
I loved this presentation. She stated an international problem, gave her experience, and even gave a solution to the problem. I sincerely hope she stays active sharing this information with others. Also, her presentation skills are exceptional!
That was one of the most beautiful, heartfelt TED Talks I've seen in a while. Thank you!
I have not had a drink for over 14 months , and I'm so thankful and blessed that I'm able to say no I dont miss it and I want to live a clean life thank you lord jesus christ!!!
Kevin Braden You replaced alcohol with a new delusion: good for not drinking though
@@TremendousSax it's called will power if you believe in something more power to you
So many tears I love you I needed to hear everything you said
This has inspired me more than you could ever know. Put that on your list! Inspiring other women
Ann, you are amazing and what a fantastic son you have. Lots of love and joy! ❤️🙏
Somebody else commented the last minute was important. It brought me to tears.
Really powerful message! I had never thought about how young women are not eating as much before drinking (as men are), AND are drinking something twice as strong! Experience is wisdom. Thank you!
Lindsey Lampe alcool make the cancer
Alcohol ruined my Marriage. It was nice to her a woman’s perspective. Thank You.
Deb Smith. My ex-wife wouldn’t stop and ruined a 21 year marriage. Alcohol can be vicious.
Mine too 😥
🤦🏽♀️ on the same path If I don’t stop. I hope it’s not too late.
One day at a time. Go to meetings, find sober buddies to hang with. Be kind to yourself. Get help. Ask. Don't be ashamed. Alcoholism (like depression) is not a 'character flaw"..in time, you may find that a sober life can be its own reward. That's what happened for me, and while I don't presume to tell people how THEY should go, that's what worked, in my case.
Cynthia Hawkins ,.
Cynthia Hawkins: Really good advice! Thank you.
health issues could be a symptom of mercury poisoning. Anyone struggling should google Andy Cutler, read the article by Rebecca Rust Lee on the Weston Price website (just google these tree names and it will come up) And read the Cutler success stories by googling this. Please do, it really is the only safe way and yo will learn why it has helped so many. Wish you all the best!
Cynthia Hawkins THANK YOU!! Today is Day 1 for me and I’m going to take your advice. I’m tired of alcohol :(
@@simoneee31 me too. I just started back in the rooms of AA. I had 15 months sobriety, took one drink and that pretty much lasted eight and a half years . Now I've just been asked to move out of my place soon am so and scared of being homeless again. It's hard not to drink because I feel I have already lost everything. Alcohol is the main reason for that though. Such a vicious cycle. Active alcohol addiction sucks
Heartfelt talk. Your son sounds amazing.
he is amazing i promise
Beautiful! Read her book last year as one of the first on my journey to sobriety. A great book and I stay on the path to Freedom every day. Not easy, but Life is so much better without grog in it, and I feel and look 5 years younger, as well as having more money in the bank. Thanks Ann.
how'd you do it ? sobriety ?
Sobriety and helping people. Also a great community on www.hellosundaymorning.org (helps people quit drinking or moderate) and the website is sponsored by the Oz government. Yes, really!
Great site, been a member for 3 weeks and it has been a life changer.
Really good to hear that, Rob. Met up with another HSMer yesterday evening, in London. Wonderful, honest community and Life gets so much better when we quit drinking. It's amazing!
I won't
sharing this has been courageous, thank you.
Thank you Ann for sharing your story it is so very true.... there's so much to life besides drinking
Your son is amazing. I hope you are well and I am so grateful for hearing your TedTalk. Your insights are quite helpful. Blessings
Well said Ann. Thank you for your courage
Great message and good for you for coming out, inspiring others, and accepting the fight to protect future generations.
I respect you tremendously!!! Telling the truth and confronting all the lies and deception. 🦋
Powerful and moving. I am grateful to you, Ann, for telling it like it is. Thank you xx
Best Ted Talk presenter I’ve ever heard. Spoke from the heart and not like it was a practiced and overly rehearsed speech.
Working on this myself… tough but feeling better about myself is worth it, healing my liver is worth it, being able to function alone without it is worth it and being able to live longer and happier is the best part of all!
What a fabulous lady. Wish her all the best...great talk
Thank you so much for being so honest, raw, and amazing!
I read your book in early sobriety. I related it to it so much and it helped me get sober. Thank you. 🙏🏼
This was wonderful! "The List" story at the end helped me to look at the positives of my own sobriety. Life w/o drugs and alcohol is reality
I quit drinking,about17years ago,was at AA,make a therapy,this saved my Life,and im very thankfull🙏and thank you for Sharing your Story with us!
Ann, I have had my battles and finally in my mid 60's, I am winning. I have watched thousands of KZhead videos but I have never felt the compulsion to overtly applaud, until just a moment ago. I hope these words have found you doing very well! Take Care, Tom
Thank you for your transparency and for making a difference!
Literally tears streaming down my face at the end. Bravo and thank you for this beautiful talk.
That was so fabulous!!! I was tearing up at the end! Thank you for being so brave! I’d hire you in a heartbeat! You are going to help so many people!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!😇💜🙏👍☀️🌻
Yes, that ending had me sobbing.
wow this is an amazing talk! What an amazing woman you are an incredible role model and your son is an amazing man. The way you finished your talk I had goosebumps all over thank you for this gift thank you
Thank you for sharing your story. It is such a truth - my journey to reset my body's biochemistry without alcohol starts today. I am so looking forward to live a life without this daily mind games
I'm 25 years sober. And Happy, Joyous and Free.
Brought your book about 6 years ago in Wellington NZ. Didnt read it. Started AA conselling 6 weeks ago. Counselor told me I drink because of my childhood abuse. His exact words "The neurons in my brain were created during my childhood (abuse) thats why i drink". You, Ann, have confirmed it. Thankyou Bless you for your bravery with writing your book. Going to read it now. Yet to start being sober...
Doesn't matter why, does it? Who DIDN'T have a bad childhood?
BRAVO FOR STANDING UP - shining your light into the dark corners of addiction - helping women everyone - you are a heroine.
I love it!!! in heaven their books get published!!
Your book changed me! Thank you!
Such a powerful video by Ann Dowsett-Johnston, her story really resonated with me. As I have been on my own journey with Alcohol and have just began my sobriety this has been such a great video to reinforce my decision to be sober. Thank you Ann for your candor and your powerful story.
That was powerful. Thank-you !!!
Very courageous woman. Inspiring to me!
THE POINT ..Any video and every video is an achievement full stop . however each individual that views it is different and learns something different because or their own life experiences . I see this talk as an amazingly thoughtfull piece or work by an amazingly strong individual and although I am a 37 year old man I can honestly say that I've been there . Even when I see comments that disappoint me I have faith in the human race that each time someone projects a negative consequence upon such an inspirational piece of though provoking life lessons learnt at work, in some way everyone learns more about them self. .
I am 67 and just quit drinking.....I have had a glass of wine or two or three every night for 30 years. It just doesnt serve me anymore. I see a movement ... more and more people opting out of drinking.
Patricia Baldwin I’m 67 too! Day 63 of sobriety. The binge drinking life had to stop or my life would! It’s not easy after a lifetime’s ingrained habit but I am reaping rewards already. A definite self-appreciation and being kind instead of self-admonishing. Thanks for sharing and hears to many years of clarity and serenity! I thank AA and the Steps.
Wow - brought me to tears.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm questioning my drinking these days so your video made me think.
Here is a little "food for thought" Jackie... Non-Alcoholics NEVER question their drinking (unless of course because of certain medical conditions). Good luck.
Jackie Brown i’m questioning the same...
I wish you inspiration and grace on your journey... when you're ready. :-)
Jackie Brown Me too
It’s possible to live without alcohol, I have for over eight years.
This is so riveting and truthful she has a wonderful way to share this story, we need to be aware of what is going on with alcohol and women. Wellness is key.
I'm in recovery and spot a jive tap dance story ,Ann is very very good honest down to earth thank you ms Johnston god bless.
Ugh what an amazing and supportive son and family she has. Great talk!
Watch it till the end. Very powerful.
Thank you so much! what a bbeautiful talk...I needed to hear!
What a beautifully executed powerfully delivered heart felt message, spoken so many can intelligently understand alcoholism. Just my thought.
Amazing honesty
So much respect 🙌 to you for sharing your story to help others heal. 🦋 It's a true calling. I absolutely found my purpose in telling my story of borderline death ☠️ and life implosion 🤯 to healing my brain and body to get my life back! Much luv! 🕉 You can heal!
Thank you for telling the truth! We need to break the cycle.
Tautoko - agreed. Love your talk, well done.
Hi there and I’ve been sober now for about 15 years I have never heard more touching well explained talk to my Life about alcohol with tears flowing over my cheeks all I could think is how did you get sober and that is the reason that the tears are flowing i’ll bet could think of is this “ our public relations. Policy is based on attraction rather than promotion we need always maintain our personal anonymity at the level press radio and film “ Thanks again for a beautiful dark and may God bless you tenfold
Female, well-educated, professional, high-functioning, yep, that describes me. I went to an AA meeting a few weeks ago, felt really good, I hope it is a good place for me to go back to.
hilde it is!! Best when you start the step work. That’s when life gets good. Enriching. Self-care. Very very important to find the simple joy of living!
Thank you...I hope...I will pray and hope.
A lovely ending and thank you for sharing.
Your are an incredible women!!!!!!!! You have soooooooo much grace and love ❤️I wish you the best life has to offer ❤️