ALCOHOL STRUGGLES
‘My whole life, the last few years of drinking, was planned around drinking’ – Soccer AM legend in heartbreaking reveal
Star turned to different sport to help him cope after going sober
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A SOCCER AM legend has revealed the harrowing extent of his alcoholism.
Tubes was a fan favourite on the Saturday morning TV show until its cancellation last year.
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He started out as an assistant producer before becoming an on-air star with his hilarious interviews, jokes and antics.
However, he was struggling with his addiction to alcohol during his time with Soccer AM.
Thankfully Tubes - real name Peter Dale - has overcome his struggles but looking back detailed how much alcohol dictated his life.
He told the : "My whole life, the last few years of drinking, was planned around drinking.
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"So I'd look at what interviews I had, at the Chelsea fixture list, and it would all be like, I can drink then, I can drink then.
"So I would always, if I was going out to the pub, I'd go to the off license beforehand and buy loads of little vodkas for so I could carry on when last orders was called, but also for the next morning.
"I'd get up in the morning and just down the vodka to get back on a level.
"It was a really strong addiction, and I'm so glad I decided to stop.
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"I found it so, so hard because it was my life. That was all I cared about at times."
Tubes added that he spent his time "constantly lying" to friends, colleagues including Helen Chamberlain and his mum - who he was looking after following the death of his dad.
Relive the best bits of Soccer AM as the show gets axed after nearly 30 years on the air
He even hid bottles of vodka in his socks to sneak them into the house.
But Tubes found his way out of his reliance on alcohol when he realised he reached a crisis point and attended an Alcoholics Anonymous session.
The popular broadcaster replaced alcohol with golf and regularly plays in celebrity tournaments and also hosts the Golf Life show with his brother Ange.
Tubes, who suffered a heart attack in 2018, added: "I made the decision that enough was enough eight years ago so I'm eight years sober.
How to cut back on drinking
IF YOU'RE concerned about your drinking, a good first step is to see a GP.
They'll be able to give advice and support on how to manage your drinking habits and cut back safely.
This might involve counselling, medicines or detox services.
Being dependent on alcohol means you feel you’re not able to function without it and means stopping drinking can causes physical withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating or nausea.
If you have these symptoms when you don't drink, it could be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper support.
There are many charities and support groups you can join or speak to, as well as helplines:
- national alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110
- helpline on 0800 9177 650
- helpline on 0800 0086 811
Tips to quit
When you’re ready to stop, the following tips and techniques can make it that little bit easier.
- Tell family and friends that you’re aiming to stop drinking alcohol and explain why - reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop drinking can help keep you on track, and may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down with you.
- Identify triggers avoid avoid situations where you may be tempted to drink, at least in the early stages - from after work pub quizzes to boozy dinners.
- Keep busy in the times you'd usually drink by trying something new - get active or meet a friend at the cinema.
- Reward yourself as you make progress and don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up every once in a while - it can be helpful to give yourself short-term goals.
- Notice how your body feels without booze - you might find that you have more energy, are sleeping better or have lost weight.
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"It's the best decision I've ever made in my whole entire life and I truly believe if I didn't make that decision I'd be dead.
"I stopped, completely stopped. I went to one AA meeting, which I always say, helps millions across the world.
"It was the constant upset and pain I was causing on my family, especially my mum."
Asked what advice he would give to people trying to give up drinking, he added: "You feel so much better when you admit you are an alcoholic.
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"Talk to people, let people know how you're feeling and that you've got a problem.
"You'll be amazed by the support. If you're struggling on your own, it's going to be a hell of a lot harder."
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NHS guidelines on drinking alcohol
According to the NHS, regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging your health.
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:
- men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
- spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
- if you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week
If you're pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
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