Going sober without surrendering the fun | Faye Lawrence | TEDxBrisbane

Having been a heavy but high functioning drinker since her teens – almost 30 years – Faye Lawrence found herself in inpatient detox in late 2017 after "the wheels really fell off". Determined not to let her sobriety ruin her social life, she founded Untoxicated, an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting booze-free fun and friendship. Faye Lawrence founded Untoxicated (Booze-Free Fun and Friendship) in early 2018. Having been a heavy but high functioning drinker since her teens – almost 30 years – she wound up in inpatient detox in late 2017 after the wheels fell off. Determined not to let her sobriety ruin her social life, Untoxicated was born.

[redbone]

This is my 3rd day sober I’m so proud of myself I woke up feeling so good and instead of buying a can of Smirnoff smash I went and got me a smoothie! I should’ve been did this 🎉

[Perryscope]

Faye thanks for giving this TED talk.
It's really comforting that there are so many Youtubers and communities out there supporting sobriety.
I have relapsed many times, especially during British Summer time.
I'm really determined to stay off the booze with Sober October on the horizon.
I've started doing some groundwork and getting my head around what triggers me, looking in to alternative strategies
and overhauling my pro-booze beliefs .
My logical mind tells me that these beliefs are based around the illusions that booze has created.
Giving in to them amounts to state of cognitive dissonance, for example using alcohol to alleviate anxiety when the after affect is that it only amplifies the anxiety.

[charlesbaldwin]

Everything this lady said is so true. I think this is the main reason that I've gotten sober in the past and went back to drinking. I never felt like I had a fruitful life in recovery for most of the reasons she mentioned.

[leannegander]

Fantastic. Thankyou. I personally have cut down my alcohol intake, I wasn't an every day drinker, but I definitely enjoyed 6 or more when I did drink. I totally understand where you are coming from about the socialising part. I'm lucky enough to have family who when I say I'm having a month off from drinking, are very supportive and usually they say 'good on you, I wish I could. I know though that not everyone has that support and it can be very hard.
Thankyou once again 😊

[dawnfuller]

Soooo proud of you.
To think of others with problem drinkers as I was 11 years ago
By sharing your story you never know who you may help .
We need to be connected that’s how God created us to be.

Thank you and May Gods bless you.🙏♥️😘

[sharonwilliams]

Im determined to discover different ways to learn to understand sobriety and in general living a happier healthier lifestyle because i agree no one deserve to live a lonely during sobriety or a robot of so much sobriety learning with no balance of enjoying life doing things with people places and things that being healthy emotional confidence to stay strong in your life as you're recovering from past experiences and trauma that has been unhealed for so long learning new coping ways to live

[rickyw]

Brilliant! Thanks Faye- I recently came to realising that most of my social interaction revolved around alcohol, so I have quit, in order to find out who my real friends are. And also, Australian social culture is so predicated around we can do/be better. Thanks for being a guiding light.There are so many better things to do than get drunk hey! Museums, galleries, picnics, flying kites. Thanks for upholding the idea ;)

[jameslancaster]

Fantastic work Faye. Great example of giving it away!

[donadajmar]

5:33 This is amazing.Where did you advertise the group you created? I live in Toronto and we don’t have groups like this.I guess I have to start one

[louisa]

This is amazing! What great work and very much needed.

[davemccall]

Quit drinking eight years ago after drinking for fifty years with the last thirty-five years drinking excessively every day. There was no doubt that I could stop drinking. My bigger concern was that I could stop drinking. Due to how long I drank, how much I drank, always associated drinking with having a good time. Fearing I didn't have the social skills necessary for a life I wanted. My whole life became centered around alcohol and for the majority of my drinking I enjoyed it so much. Fortunately I was wrong! I quickly felt physically better, the fog in my head disappeared allowing me to make better choices. The biggest advantage of sobriety was that I was able to reestablish the relationships with friends and loved ones that I bankrupted due to my drinking. You brought up some great tips on how to obtain long term sobriety. I found that talking about a problem won't necessarily solve it but it definitely makes it easier to cope with.

[famelesssoul]

Wow, same. No event in my city is offering a alcohol free environment. You might just have given me the courage to try hosting such a thing. Thanks.

[clairedoble]

Fantastic talk Faye and thanks for all you do! x

[anitapaul]

Well done Faye, amazing story, amazing cause, from an amazing lady .. sober = cool, and you are shining example of that x

[HumbleGuyGaming]

I dont really have a drinking problem( 1 or 2 bi weekly) alcohol isnt my vice i choose and i dread waking up even feeling the slightest hung over, i was curious to know what other things i can do that dont require alcohol, i play video games, but what other activities are out there that i could do that would be fun.

[joshgreer]

Im on day 2 again i really don't drink much can go around a month and not drink and then drink a day or 2 and quit again but can't get more than a month i know some of it is the pain im going thru but i still feel bad about relapsing every month

[glennwilliams]

Well done Faye, fantastic insight. Q: Is there any question if one can actually have a healthy relationship with alcohol excuse the juxtaposition as I somewhat feel alcohol has it’s place in society and can be a great lubricator for a number of life’s stressful events and thus serves a “medicinal” crutch for some or many without it taking over to a dependency level so to speak?

[mikeyholtsdreampopgaze]

What an amazing women but you know ive always thought that. You look and sound like You have been resurrected so to speak. Im so happy for you and wish you so much love for your future and safeness. Matt k

[allardvanderstarre]

i dont have any support except the GP: they all say your problem isnt bad enough

[allardvanderstarre]

i just relapsed....its the same as it ever was....