Dom: From Daily Drinking To A life I Enjoy.

Dom from Newcastle is 25 and has a passion for DJing. He’s approaching five years alcohol-free and now enjoys music and DJing in a way that doesn’t rely on alcohol. However, this wasn’t always the case.

From his early teens, alcohol became a daily part of Dom’s life causing disruption, straining friendships, family relationships, and school life.

“I started drinking at 13, and by 15, it was every day. I knew it wasn’t positive, but I didn’t know whether I wanted to stop, cut down, or just avoid the problems it caused. I wanted help, but I didn’t really know what that looked like.”

For years, Dom went through a cycle that’s all too familiar for many young people: periods of drinking heavily, brief attempts to seek help or cut down, then spiralling again.

“I tried all sorts of things – exercise, therapy, alcohol services – but I wasn’t fully engaged. I wanted help, but I didn’t really know what I wanted.”

By the time he finished school in 2019, without structure or routine, his drinking escalated. Christmas that year marked a particularly low point. But in January 2020, Dom made a crucial decision: he entered rehab, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him to sobriety.

The first covid lockdown in March 2020 started the day after he completed rehab and it offered unexpected support by removing the social pressure to drink while he focused on recovery.

Dom’s journey wasn’t instant or perfect. He experienced relapses, moved to university, and had to navigate the challenge of social environments full of alcohol and drugs.

“I had to learn how to leave situations that weren’t comfortable for me. Early on, it was about protecting myself from triggers, but over time, I learned to enjoy life differently – without relying on alcohol to feel part of it or to have fun.”

A key part of Dom’s message is the importance of role models..

“When I was younger, I never saw anyone my age getting sober or having a healthier relationship with alcohol. If I could have seen that, it might have changed my path earlier. Now, I try to make that visible for others – showing it’s possible to live a full, social life without drinking.”

Dom also highlights a common misconception about alcohol harm: that it only affects certain people or is tied to dramatic life events. “There wasn’t a single traumatic event that explained my drinking. It’s important to understand that alcohol problems can develop gradually, even for people with relatively normal childhoods. You don’t have to have a ‘reason’ for things to feel out of control.”

Today, Dom is approaching five years alcohol-free. He’s living in Newcastle, has recently started a new job, and continues to enjoy music and DJing.

“Life now is good. I don’t have to ask myself if I’m okay to go somewhere because there will be alcohol. I can just go and enjoy it.”

His advice for anyone who feels stuck with drinking is:

“Change doesn’t have to be black and white. You don’t have to quit completely straight away. Exploring cutting down, trying a sober day, or just seeing what it feels like to go without a drink – that’s never a negative experience. Being uncomfortable sometimes is normal – it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Every small step is progress.

“If alcohol is causing you worry, reaching out for a conversation is a great step. Also doing research into what is out there, there is a huge amount of resources, and different approaches, but where needed take professional or medical advice into account.”

Dom’s story shows that even when drinking alcohol has become a regular part of life, there’s room to make positive changes – at any age, and in a way that works for you.