On this weeks episode of One For The Road I am joined by Sue Tickle who is proudly seven years sober. She is a mum to two sons, aged 26 and 28, and a partner to Jay, who is also sober. Together, they live in their lovely new home just outside Manchester, where Sue now enjoys a genuinely happy and fulfilling life. By profession, Sue is a Senior Manager in the NHS, a role that remains her primary career and passion. Alongside this, she runs Sober Space, a supportive social media community dedicated to sharing inspiration, encouragement, and practical advice for people living alcohol-free or aspiring to change their relationship with alcohol.
Before her mid-thirties, Sue’s relationship with alcohol was fairly minimal and what many would describe as “normal.” However, she was no stranger to the damage alcohol could cause, having grown up with a father who was a very heavy drinker for many years. In her mid-thirties, Sue’s drinking escalated dramatically after entering a relationship where alcohol became a daily habit. What began as occasional weekend drinking quickly turned into nightly drinking. Looking back, Sue recognises that a lack of confidence and a desire to fit in led her to believe she needed alcohol to be fun and accepted. Over the following five years, her drinking intensified further, progressing to multiple bottles of wine every single night. When her beloved father passed away, grief deepened her dependency on alcohol. Wine became her comfort, often reaching at least two bottles each night. Two years of blackouts, alcohol dependency, arguments, emotional distress, and regret followed. During this time, Sue’s sons witnessed the painful unravelling of their grieving, drinking mum. There were no signs of things slowing down. The turning point came in 2018 after her sister’s hen party, when Sue’s mum confronted her and told her she had ruined the celebration — and, most painfully, that she was becoming just like her father. That moment was the short, sharp shock that changed everything. Sue firmly believes that if she had not stopped drinking, she would not be alive today — and her sons would not have their mum. This belief underpins her commitment to helping anyone who asks for support in changing their relationship with alcohol. She is deeply motivated by a desire to prevent others and their families from experiencing the same devastation.
Since becoming sober, Sue has coached and mentored many people to begin, sustain, or re-ignite their sober journeys. Her work focuses on inspiring others to build rich, fulfilling sober lives through gratitude, positivity, and practical tools that genuinely support long-term change.
Sue believes sobriety is not about simply existing or feeling deprived. It is about living a meaningful, connected, and rewarding life without alcohol.
Through Sober Space, now over a year old, Sue has celebrated the first soberversaries of many members — moments she is incredibly proud of and deeply honoured to be part of.
To read more of my story over the 7 years – All Shiny and New – Sue Tickle
To join sober space Facebook Page – Sober Space | Facebook
Follow me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sober_space_?igsh=NDFxdHFla3Q3eGxr
To subscribe to the daily coaching group for a small fee - Tickle Life Coaching
If you want to connect with me via Instagram, you can find me on the instahandle @Soberdave https://www.instagram.com/soberdave/
or via my website https://davidwilsoncoaching.com/
Provided below are links for services offering additional help and advice.
www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/alcohol-support-services
https://nacoa.org.uk/
Show producer- Daniella Attanasio-Martinez
Instagram - @TheDaniellaMartinez
https://www.instagram.com/thedaniellamartinez/
www.instagram.com/grownuphustle
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UK