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 -

www.gavinsisters.co.uk

and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1

Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal

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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Is there joy in addiction? In this next quick thought, Sebastian Walker (author of the best selling book The Joy of Addiction) shares how realising he was an addict became the best thing that ever happened to him. He breaks down the difference between being a suffering addict and a recovering one, how surrendering can lead to freedom, and why clarity in sobriety changes everything. If you're struggling or know someone who is, this conversation offers powerful insights into recovery, mindset shifts, and how support networks like 12-step fellowships can make all the difference. About the “THOUGHT” series -Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeBuy 'The Joy Of Addiction'https://amzn.to/3N2fXTYFollow Sebastian Instagram - https://bit.ly/3Pdwl6VTwitter - https://bit.ly/46baXVUFacebook - https://bit.ly/3NoLpgxFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsWatch or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep10)YouTube - https://bit.ly/43uN4pJSpotify - https://bit.ly/3oGa86AApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#AddictionRecovery#SoberLife#MentalHealthAwarenes

Today, I’m joined by Sharon and Lauretta – better known as The Gavin Sisters – an acclaimed comedy duo who’ve graced TV and stage, written sitcoms for television, and penned plays for the West End.

But behind the laughter, their lives took a devastating turn. Sharon was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that left her unable to walk, losing her hair, and trapped in a toxic relationship. At the same time, Lauretta’s world fell apart when she discovered her husband was living a double life—while she was six months pregnant. Together, they hit rock bottom. But instead of breaking, they rebuilt.

In this powerful conversation, the Gavin Sisters share how they turned their darkest moments into a new beginning. They broke free from drinking and takeaways, embraced radical lifestyle changes, and supported each other as single mums. Doctors told Sharon she’d be unwell and on medication for life—but they couldn’t have been more wrong.

Determined to take control of her health, the sisters overhauled their lives. Lauretta retrained as a natural vegan chef, and together, they swapped red wine, sugar, and processed food for nutrient-packed meals. Sharon’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable.

Now, they run The Detox Barn wellness retreat, host a hit podcast, and have even launched their own product, Funki Coffee. This is their story of survival, healing, and resilience.

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

www.gavinsisters.co.uk

and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1

Or via PayPal - https://tinyurl.com/bdxje3ee

Topics -

0:00 Intro

4:15 Sharon's rock bottom

7:30 Lauretta's rock botttom

12:00 Living in chronic stress & fight or flight

15:00 Why did Sharon get an auto immune disease?

16:15 Hedonism vs wellness?

19:00 Healing from an autoimmune disease

24:45 Lauretta joins Sharon on her wellness journey

28:15 Dealing with the early stages of divorce

29:45 What is grey area drinking?

41:30 Fully embracing a healthy lifestyle

46:00 Medication vs diet?

Follow Gavin Sisters

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#WellnessJourney

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