So here it is. The blog. The growl. The gentle unravelling. Whatever this turns out to be. The rambings of a Sober Coach in Northern Ireland? Profundity? Let's find out.
I'm David McCauley - sobriety coach, embodiment guide, 5 Rhythms Teacher-in-Training, and very much a man who used to think "a couple of bottles a night doesn't count if you're still able to answer emails in the morning."
Who this Blog is for
People who don't drink. Or want to stop...but aren't into the whole AA thing.
This blog is for you if:
- You've already decided alcohol isn't working - but you've no interest in being saintly about it...or...
- You're sober-curious, quietly struggling, or already off the booze but still feel a bit lost.
- You want something relatable, honest, and non-preachy.
- You'd rather try dancing sober (Imagine the HORROR!) than explain why you're not drinking to 26 people at a barbecue.
Not with a bang...the moment it clicked for me.
One Sunday, I woke up in bed, hungover again, full of shame from the night before. I knew if I didn't get it under control, I really would lose my marriage. In the end, I did - but being sober meant I could cope with it with a clear head, and we parted on good terms without destroying ourselves in the process.
I acknowledge the part my drinking played in the breakdown. It was certainly a factor, and I didn't want to be that version of myself anymore.
What I did Instead
No group meetings. No tokens. No apologies to childhood pets. I'm not knocking other approaches, but the stigma attached and the approach they used had inadvertently kept me from sorting myself out a lot sooner. I thought theirs was the only way.
Instead, I found a different path - one that focused on mindset, self-awareness, and embodiment.
Not willpower. Not shame.
Once alcohol was gone, life didn't shrink. It expanded. And it still hasn't stopped in the 8 years since. That's part of the journey that led me to become a Sober Coach in Northern Ireland.
I found Yoga. Cold water. Breathwork. 5 Rhythms. Actual conversations. Nights with meaning. The kind of confidence I used to fake with drink - but now very real, very grounded. And that got me through many big life changes since. The death of my Mum in 2018, unexpected heart surgery in 2020, the eventual breakdown of my 20 year relationship in 2021. All without even wanting to reach for a drink. The desire was gone.
"I didn't give anything up. I got back everything drink had been taking from me since I was 17"
Start Here (Free Stuff)
👉 Download the Free PDF - Why Moderation Is Such a Bloody Slog (and what you can do instead)
A short guide for people who've tried to "cut back" and wondered why it never sticks.
👉 Visit the Resources Page
Free videos, tools, and ways to dip a toe in - no pressure, no preaching.
👉 Book a Free Clarity Call
If you're ready to talk to someone who's been there and won't judge, I'm here.
What This Blog Will Cover
- What actually works when quitting drinking.
- Embodiment practices that help.
- Irish drinking culture (and how to escape it).
- Sober confidence, relationships, and emotional recovery.
- The unexpected joy of dancing sober (yes, it's possible!)
Keywords That Brought You Here (Hello Mr Google, these are for you)
If you're searching for a sober coach in Northern Ireland or looking for someone in Ireland who offers an alternative to AA, you're in the right place. I've been there. I've made peace with it. And now I help others do the same.