Sobriety crushes anxiety and depression

@eugenio1542

12 күн бұрын

😮

@cjh0751

20 сағат бұрын

You hit the nail on the head . My anxiety and depression have crushed me since I was 13. At 28 I had to start taking antidepressants because of my alcoholism. I need to get sober first then I'll address my antidepressant use.

Headed for rehab for alcohol tomorrow at noon. Thank you for the inspiration!!!

@snipersareusful

14 күн бұрын

Good luck mate. Let us know how you go ❤

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Well done mate, I'm chuffed for you. Keep us updated and let us know how you're getting on.

@ZackaryHayward

13 күн бұрын

@@snipersareusful will do! Your my inspiration

@rowenamcdermott253

13 күн бұрын

Good luck Zac we are all routing for you!

@CMoore8539

9 күн бұрын

@@ZackaryHaywardCongrats! Keep us updated.

22 days sober from heavy drugs and alcohol (again). Appreciate the vids. Cheers from Scotland!

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

22 days is huge, congratulations mate!

@central_scrutinizer

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry cheers mate :)

@meddlermusic9649

12 күн бұрын

Keep going brother!! (30 days ..again)

😂Well...at least the drunk "you" has a great sense of humor! The shoes in the fridge was genius 😂

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

I was like, "gah you got me this time, drunk me"

@JesperHellvik

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry 😅

Man I love your stories. I am in active addiction as we speak. You have helped me. And right now, your videos are helping me. Watching your videos gives me a reminder that I can get sober. And it also scares me because I know where I am headed if I keep this up. I can’t say that I will stop forever. I am starting my day today and I think I will keep your videos on. I deeply appreciate your honesty. I find comfort in your storytelling. I feel as if you are talking directly to me at times. I have been on deaths door before. And I am approaching it again. Your videos help me. You are not my cure. But you are helping me. And I deeply appreciate your channel. Thank you sir.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Hey Crank! Don't let it slip through your fingers mate, one look at you and I know it would be a terrible waste if you weren't hitting your potential. We're all pulling for you, and keep us updated.

@crankpump8444

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry I’m currently in active alcoholism. I am ashamed, beaten down, and quite frankly feeling like a broken individual. I can’t stop on my own. Stopping cold turkey without medical assistance is unsafe for me at this point. I cannot afford to go to a rehab facility. I do have a plan though. I believe in myself. I am fortunate to have a support system that will help me get off the booze. It will be a rough road, but I will be safe. My favorite saying from the recovery community is “Never Quit Quitting”. I will NEVER quit quitting. I will be back. And I will be sober. And YOU are helping me along the way. I cannot thank you enough. I will be back!

@ShadesOClarity

14 күн бұрын

We all are pulling for you Crank.

@northernstarseedtarot

5 күн бұрын

You got this 👍 💪 🙌

What do you do for fun now? Run, eat, work, and sleep. It’s amazing :)

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Yeah. We do fun things for fun now, instead of depressing self-destructive things.

I used to drink cans of special brew while travelling on the train listening to Jethro Tull on my CD Walkman to visit my girlfriend at university in Lampeter Wales. I found it was heaven and my escape from the world. I once missed my connection in Birmingham and ended up on train to Portsmouth. That was the very first time that my drinking was becoming a problem. 35 years later and I'm realising my drinking is affecting my life negatively. As a young man i could deal with it now I'm order it's debilitating.

Your channel is therapeutic my man- keep up the good work. It’s part of my network of like minded people keeping me off that damn bottle!

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Glad I can be of assistance, and thanks for the compliment!

I think everyone should do the 12 steps, regardless of addiction or not, like a manual to just exist peacefully and to not be a prick to others 😂

I must say with the high quality sound your videos are not only entertaining and educational but also very soothing, almost like an asmr video, "maybe he's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline"

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Thanks! I feel like the sound quality is even more important than the video quality, because so many people are just listening to youtube in the background rather than sitting watching it like TV. I appreciate the feedback mate!

Love It. Authentic. “Gotta give Grace to get Grace”. Bravo. Bill Wilson and Bob Smith are smiling down from Heaven. 😂☝️❤️✌️🌍🙏

@_BatCountry

11 күн бұрын

Well I hope so :D

Just stumbled upon your channel, and only half a video in … but, my friend, I am already a huuuuuuge fan! Your voice is so soothing, and the subtle old music in the background compliments it so nicely. I could listen to you tell stories all day long. Consider me a fan! 😊

@_BatCountry

11 күн бұрын

Thank you Panda! Believe me, I could talk all day long too.

I have found that “playing the movie/tape forward“ has also been a useful tool for when I experience an urge. I pause and think about what that drink would inevitably lead to and that usually causes me to experience a little bit of the dark place that I used to be in. By the time I’ve done that, the urge is usually gone. Anyway, thank you for the video and the channel

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Yeah that's crucial - you have to force yourself to look past the urge and towards the damage it will inevitably cause. I tend to visualise the terrible food in detox and that's enough to make the urge to drink subside.

I had my first relapse last week. I drank from Saturday until Thursday and missed an entire week of Uni. I was back to lying in soaking wet sweaty bedsheets wrenching up bile with a pounding heart and no sleep. I don't have a lot of money and I really put a dent into my budget with the Deliveroo orders. My head is beginning to clear today and I managed some exercise but I just feel so disappointed in myself and pathetic. I need to study my triggers more closely to avoid this occurring again. I can't keep living like this.

@_BatCountry

6 күн бұрын

Hey Jo, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how much that hurts, and a lot of us have been where you are. I know first-hand the self-loathing that comes with emerging from a relapse, and seeing the piles of mouldy take-away boxes. There is a way out of this though. Getting sober while studying isn't easy, I'm sure, but there is a future. You just have to use some reframing techniques. Never forget how pathetic you feel, remember it, and use it as motivation.

@jo18533

5 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry Thanks man. The Deliveroo was for booze not food though lmao. Feeling much better today. Looking forward to your next video.

I can’t wait your next video as always! I’m porn recovery addict and my channel talks about that

Hey man, love this video, on day 9 now and hearing your personal ways of staying sober is super useful. I've been trying the past few days to love videogames again without the booze, and it's been a blast. Been playing since I was a kid when the PlayStation 1 came out, it feels so good to know that part of my inner child wasn't taken away by this condition. You're so right about sleep too, those first few nights of hot flashes and 30 second intervals of sleep suck, but after getting that first night of deep rest, I wouldn't trade sleep for any bottle. Keep doing what you're doing man, you're very humble but there's a lot of wisdom in your words.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Hey Moony! Congrats on your sober time, you're over the hump. What are you playing? I see the PT demo on your channel - what a tragedy that never got fully made.

@moonymanj5

13 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry thank you! And yes, a true tragedy it is, it was such a cool concept for silent hill. I've actually been getting into metro, you've probably heard of it, it's a post-nuclear war, kind of survival horror game set in Russia

Entertaining and full of lessons without sounding preachy - keep up the great work Stuart please. I recall that I was brutally honest with my boss, who genuinely cared yet had to let me go for being pissed on work premises; it was very confronting but relieved me of a huge burden i.e. my drinking problem. Tried SMART recovery but alas was not for me; instead I have tried to figure out what works for me by myself. I go for long (10 miles or so) walks daily and seek greenery (difficult whilst living in SE London!) which keeps me off the sauce to a large extent. Hey ho..thank you again Stuart.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Thank you ASIF! Long walks are a revelation, I used to live in South London too, so I know your pain. You have to go right to the end of the line, like Whyteleafe or Upper Warlingham, before you get an actual proper greenspace. It's worth the trek out there on a Sunday though.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Oh and if there is a program I'd recommend right now, it's Refuge recovery. It depends on the kind of person you are as it can feel a little woo-woo, but I like it.

@ASIF_M1934

13 күн бұрын

Thank you, Stuart. Use to work at Kenley so know Whyteleafe fairly well....know the local pubs for sure....doh.....​@_BatCountry

ive been watching your channel a while and keep relapsing. wanna give you a hug man

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Don't give up on it mate. It'll stick if you really put your back into it. Hugs back.

Hey man.... im really sorry that you are going through this right now. Im here if you need to talk or anything else. Dont hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all. Keep your head up bro. Im praying for you. God bless❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@_BatCountry

6 күн бұрын

Hey buddy, what a pleasure it is to see you in my comments. I really appreciate your positivity, and your channel has been a constant source of motivation and inspiration to me. For what it's worth, I'm doing great right now. I owe much of that to the community here. Thanks again.

@liverdisease-qb6rk

5 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry absolutely!!

Great video! For me, a major thing is my dog. I have to get up for walking him in the morning, it structures my day with the walks and other things, i'm outdoors even in the worst weather and late at night, he's my best friend. Got a Sivas Kangal, as he is the most powerful dog breed on earth, playing with him is like a gym, believe me. He keeps me occupied and healthy. He also offers me protection when i'm out in the night. But about AA, we don't use this where i come from in Switzerland (are you still in Berlin? Guten Tag!), because we see it as outdated and step 9 and 10 are literally religion, step 10 is nothing else than becoming a missionary and influence other people, which we see as not right here. We do individual medical detox and then individual therapy, because everyone is different, with the causes that led to alcoholism and other drugs. I don't say, it doesn't work, but i heard it depends very much on the group of AA people. I'm very skeptical about this. P.S. Can i send you a mail later, as i need some advice from you?

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Hello Jack! Yes, a dog is just about the best sober companion you can have. I would have one already, and I imagine a Sivas Kangal is an excellent choice. As Europeans, I think we struggle more to understand AA because it is so intrinsically American. The people are fantastic everywhere, but the I take issue with the literature in a lot of ways. I'll have to develop my own, updated version for non-Americans :) And no, I'm not putting my home address on the internet. You can email me at batcountryyt@gmail.com if you like though, I'd be happy to talk more. Thanks for the comment, it's much appreciated.

@jackwarren5883

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry Thanks for everything, of course i'll use this email you gave me, don't worry, i was just kidding about Berlin.

@MichaelaAbbott-v3x

14 күн бұрын

Dogs are just the best 👌

Stuart, I know why we drink. It's to squeeze as much genius thought from within our limited brains before it withers and dies. I've been drinking this weekend because I couldn't come up with anything to record (I'm a guitarist). I tried and I tried and nothing worked sober. I had a drink and the pieces fell into place. We drink because we are artists. Damn I hate myself. Can I control it. After 3 months ? Maybe.

7 days sober after a particularly nasty relapse. Determined to make it stick this time.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Sorry to hear that Harry. Congrats on one week, and I'm looking forward to celebrating your 1 year anniversary with you.

@harrybaker9044

13 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry Thank you Bat. Around this time last year I stopped drinking and managed to stay dry for 5-6 months. I did it then, so I can do it again, and hopefully permanently this time.

Great stuff. Love the vids 👍

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Thank you mate, hope you're keeping well?

I 100% agree with your points. I don't explicitly do the 12-step program either because I naturally moved away from it as my sober world expanded and alcohol took a back seat. I also find mindfulness useful when I have an urge (ie recognizing the urge and understanding that it is only temporary). Over time, this helped me reduce the habitual thoughts of drinking.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Yeah that's a really useful technique - knowing from experience that an urge will pass, it doesn't have to ruin your life all over again every time it happens. Thanks for the comment mate.

I really love what you’re saying here. I also don’t follow the 12 step program to the T, and I find I do a lot better when I don’t. Finding what works for me in recovery is simpler… chew the meat and spit out the bones.. Thanks for the amazing videos!

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Hey Caylin, thanks so much for your comment. I wonder of people like you and me, who I suspect have pretty strong independent streaks, do better when we're just given the information and left to figure it out for ourselves? Whatever works though, right?

Hi BC - this is very helpful. I’m going to start journaling and I’m working on finding if things I enjoyed while drinking can now be sober fun. That one is tough. Congratulations on finding your own way.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

It is tough, but you made it through to sobriety, so you're tougher.

I had already followed all tips except #9 - and I now totally see how a creative hobby would aid my recovery. Thanks for opening my eyes here! 👍🏽

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Yeah! Any idea what your creative hobby might be?

@PeterZ873

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry One of them will be cooking. That way I can also be of service to my family (ie cooking for them). “Being of service” or “being useful” is, by the way, another component of my recovery. You seem to have that component too, ie you’re being of service with your YT channel.

Thankyou

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

My pleasure Jane!

Funny as hell intro dude

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Thanks mate! I almost cut it out because it's silly, so I'm glad I kept it in.

You are so right brother. When I start drinking I neglect all of these, but they are pivotal for a healthy successful life. When I’m drinking, a 6M walk is a joke, I’m wide awake waiting for my first dose of poison. I don’t journal, I don’t eat. Hell, I would abandon my family to drink a $4 bottle of the shittest wine in the world . Sober, planned days with quality sleep. Better than sex.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

High five, brother. I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for the video. I really like your hair, I think it suits you, though I must state that I had never noticed your receding hairline? Do you really have one? It was good to hear your points today and I think they can be used with any type of addiction, including mine :-). So thank you as always. Have a lovely day 😀🙂

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

I was hiding it well enough then! Thank you for your comment and your compliments :)

@andrewhazenberg3398

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry I have pretty much the exact same hairline . Much much easier keeping it buzzed down to half an inch . I too got tired of keeping it long to hide the receeding hairline. 👍😀

Recently learned that Bill W. authored other books in the 60's, mainly The Vitamin B Therapy. He was pushing massive doses of niacin on his AA people. He did it himself to address his bad mental health. He also requested whiskey on his death bed multiple times. Sounds like Bill became painfully aware of AA's limitations.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Considering the kind of ACTUAL cultish literature being published in the 60s, perhaps we should be relieved that Bill was pretty restrained by comparison.

The best advice I was given was - Do not take that first sip.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Nice and simple, requires no explanation.

@remolacha1178

14 күн бұрын

Man takes a drink. Drink takes a drink. Drink takes the man. After the first sip we're not in control anymore.

@CMoore8539

9 күн бұрын

@@remolacha1178Facts.💯

It is funny. The buzz-cut is on point. I went back to my first A.A. meeting in at least five months Saturday night. I have to return to my old structure before entered that relationship that blew out nine months.I thought about starting in on a book. A novella, if you will, about my adventures and experiences in treatment centers. Another "Bat Country Video" - that says it all. Good work, Stuart. That video game sounds interesting. Create an alcoholic cop. I am into photography for one of my jobs, but I mostly shoot film for my IG for fun. In my latest video, you can see my collection on the dresser. Does the cop's performance doing something simple like walking degrade after you get him drunk?

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

"50 Shades Of Clarity" :D Thanks mate. I hope you don't take the last bit as a knock against AA, it's not meant to be, I do have faith in it, and I hope it's working for you! I'm going to go watch your latest upload in a bit...

@ShadesOClarity

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountryHave you ever heard this phrase? I think it's American: "I knocked seven shades of shit out of that guy." I don't take it as a knock. There are times I don't like going to A.A. and veterans of the program will say the same thing. We just make ourselves go. Most of the time we go because we want to. It's always there if you want it. Wants and needs are different in there.

@ShadesOClarity

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry Sleep: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4F9tZR7kafPnLw.html

Hello! Just found your channel and enjoyed it immensely. I’ve always been a weekend warrior social drinker. I drink on Fridays and never alone. Then I feel crap about it until the next Friday comes up and my brain has forgotten how crappy the drinking makes me feel. Depressed, exhausted, tired, groggy, foggy, irritated. Do you have any advice how to break this cycle? My friends have openly laughed at me because how could a guy who only drinks one night a week and never has alcohol in his house could possibly have a problem. Keep up with the channel, it’s really good!

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

To be honest with you, if you're here watching videos like mine, you're pretty close to breaking the cycle yourself. All you have to do is take that one final step and switch to non-alcoholic drinks.

It has been burned deeply into my soul that for me drinking is like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun. This took a long time…and many horrific experiences…every single time I drank . I was horrible with AA and basically shunned by them because I kept relapsing, but I always thought why the hell would I need AA if I could stop drinking. I stopped going. I think if you get that first step in AA, then the rest either come naturally or they’re not needed. But each to his own. It just didn’t work for me. I’ve been sober for years now and still shudder at what I’ve done while drinking. It’s no longer an option, cause I have no idea(or maybe I do) of where I will end up after drinking. It kinda pisses me off that AA people will tell people it’s the only way to stay sober. I’m not a dry drunk either. This is a long winded comment. Sorry.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

If there was ever a place for long-windedness about sobriety, it's here, so you're very welcome. I've seen AA do wonders for some people, and other people relapsed BECAUSE of AA. Like a lot of sobriety, there are no straight answers. If I haven't said it before, then congratulations on your sobriety, that kicks ass.

I loved "I'm just doing it". While I do have a program in AA that I'm working, that isn't enough to be the full answer for this alcoholic. I do all the things that you said in this video. Exercise, changes in routine etc. etc. I loved mystery science theater 3000 back in the day. I also love video games and will have to check out Disco Elysium. Also loved "I am sober, so shut up." That's so British and it made me giggle. Anyways, good stuff my sobah brotha! Thanks for the content.

@_BatCountry

14 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching mate! I'd really love to see your version, how you're keeping yourself upright.

@Disappointingyourdemons

14 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry funny you should say that as it literally was and is going to be the subject of my next video. As with you, coffee plays a big role in my sobriety. Nothing fancy. Just good ol maxwell house.

Another great video. Wonderful ambiance. I love sleep too. It's hard to get, so when I get it, it doesn't even matter if the dreams are horrible. Seroquel has been helping.

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you like the ambiance. I like it too. I took Seroquel for quite a long time, it's called Quetiapine here, and found it was the only one that didn't give me a sleep med hangover. Weaned off it in time and now my sleep is all natural.

00:50 This made me laugh!!

great video! sub'd as soon as i finished watching it. does your girlfriend and family drink? i find it hard to take breaks from booze because im expected to party every weekend with everyone else even if i dont want to and im 43. its tiring

@_BatCountry

13 күн бұрын

Thanks so much, good to have you on board! Nope, girlfriend is sober, mum quit years ago, dad might have a beer every now and then. Most of my friends are still big drinkers though. Ya know, at some point that desire to not be tired all the time is going to outweigh your desire to party, and that's a pretty good point to make a change if you're seriously thinking about it. Also, I just checked your channel, I had no idea there was a waterfall on Mt Olympus! I'll have to go and see it for myself.

@auralarcheology

13 күн бұрын

@@_BatCountry thanks for the reply and yes there are quite a few waterfalls on the mountain. I stumbled upon the one in my video, it was at the end of a very short trail behind a small Restaurant but I don't recall the name.