Ian Callaghan Blog

I asked this question numerous times over my 45-year drinking career, "Is My Drinking Excessive?", but always came up with the same lie, "No, I don't have a drink problem, I can take it or leave it", and the numerous other lies the brain told me. It’s a simple...

Benefits of an alcohol-free life. In the tapestry of British culture, alcohol is a deeply woven thread. It’s the celebratory pop of a champagne cork at a wedding, the comforting pint after a long week at the pub, the sophisticated glass of red with dinner. It’s so...

Art and Sobriety Recovery. There is a profound stillness in the image before me. A scene titled Moonlit Serenity, a lone swimmer under the full Autumnal moon. The water, a deep and reflective blue, cuts through a landscape hushed by the cool air of autumn. The moon...

The decision to break free from addiction is one of the most profound and courageous choices a person can make. It is a declaration of intent, a reclaiming of self, and the first step on a challenging yet ultimately rewarding journey towards a new life. Within the...

Screenshot It’s Not the Booze or the Sniff: What Are We Really Addicted To? What Are We Really Addicted To? We tend to talk about addiction in terms of substances. We say someone is a "hopeless alcoholic" or "addicted to cocaine". We focus on the chemical, the bottle,...

Beyond the 12 Steps: How Modern Neuroscience Helped Me Conquer a 45-Year Battle with Alcohol, neuroplasticity, addiction recovery An Introduction to a Different Path with Neuroplasticity Addiction Recovery For forty-five years, alcohol was my shadow. It was the...

This is not just another story about quitting drinking; it is a deep dive into the practical application of modern neuroscience to overcome a lifetime of conditioning. For forty-five years, alcohol was my constant companion, a habit so deeply entrenched I believed it...

For many, the ritual is familiar. A stressful day at work, a difficult conversation, or simply the weight of unspoken worries can lead to seeking solace in the bottom of a glass. A pint at the pub, a glass of wine on the sofa; it feels like a release valve, a way to...

What Happens When You Stop Drinking? Your Body's Recovery Timeline: Day 1 to 1 Year (Plus Unexpected Brain & Skin Benefits) There is a singular question that marks the turning point for millions seeking better health: "What happens when you stop drinking?" This is...

Energy-boosting foods midlife. Do you remember a time when your energy felt boundless? When did the ‘afternoon slump’ become something that happened to other people? For many of us navigating midlife, that vibrant, effortless energy can feel like a distant memory....

That moment. It happens to all of us. You walk into a room and forget why you’re there. You struggle to recall the name of a favourite actor. A word that was just on the tip of your tongue vanishes into the ether. In our 20s, we laugh it off. But in our 40s, 50s, or...

My Midlife Weight Loss Transformation: 5 Stone Gone in 8 Months Right, let's get one thing straight. This isn't some fluffy guide to 'gentle' weight loss, or some 'body positive' bollocks that lets you off the hook. This is the brutal truth of how I, a 57-year-old...