Is alcohol really relaxing you—or trapping you?

Today, I sit down with William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained, ex-paratrooper, and solicitor, to uncover the truth about addiction. William has completely redefined how we understand alcohol, smoking, and vaping—stripping away the myths that keep us hooked.

In this episode, William shares his rock bottom moment, the shocking science behind alcohol dependency, and why we’ve been misled about booze for years. We break down:

The hidden role of stress hormones—and why alcohol creates anxiety, not relieves it.

The dangerous cycle of "hair of the dog"—and why "just one more" keeps you trapped.

Nicotine and vaping—why quitting is so hard, and how to finally break free

Synthetic alcohol, legalisation, and addiction psychology—are we replacing one problem with another?

How to quit smoking if you still drink—and why it’s harder than you think.

This isn’t just about stopping drinking or smoking—it’s about reclaiming control over your life. Whether you’re struggling with addiction or just questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode could change everything.

Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -

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and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

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Topics -

0:00 Intro

3:40 William's rock bottom

6:10 Binge drinking

7:40 Why hair of the dog is so dangerous

10:55 Alcohol causes stress and tolerance?

12:25 Any positives to alcohol?

14:25 1 in 8 Americans addicted to alcohol?

16:50 0% booze?!

18:40 What about alco-synth & socialising?

25:25 Overcoming social anxiety without booze

28:10 CBD drinks?

29:30 Therapy for alcohol addiction?

34:10 Why nicotine/smoking/vaping is addictive

40:40 Is cigarettes or vaping better for you?

45:40 What is the best way to quit smoking

48:10 How do you stop smoking when you like to drink?!

53:40 Why every cigarette is a hair of the dog!

55:10 The phenomenan of craving

58:10 Should all drugs be legal?

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