He was always the drunkest person in the room. Sam O'Brien West, 32, knew he was a problem drinker from the age of 14, and through his 20s he would drink to the point of losing control. Watching football only made things worse. "I had an excuse to spend all day in the pub where people were egging each other on to drink more," he says. "There'd be that massive excitement but also a feeling of anxiety that I was going to be writing myself off for a couple of days after matches."
Three years ago, after a drinking session left him unable to wake up in time for work, he decided to stop. For the past three months he has been an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK – the charity behind Dry January – and is preparing for his first alcohol-free World Cup. He has five tips for staying off the booze during football season, though he notes they are not intended for people dealing with alcohol dependency or in recovery.
“Sober football fan Sam O'Brien West shares five tips for an alcohol-free World Cup after three years of sobriety.”
Planning ahead is key. "The first step is to make sure you're surrounded by people you're comfortable with. If they're people you don't really know, you might end up feeling awkward – and more likely to reach for the beer." He also advises getting a good night's sleep and doing some exercise with good music a few hours before a game to build a natural buzz.
Telling others in advance that you're not drinking can help. "You'll also feel more comfortable when you get there knowing that some of your mates are already on your side about not drinking." If asked, West is open about his reasons: alcohol made his anxiety and depression worse. But he says you could simply say you'd like to challenge yourself to an alcohol-free World Cup.
He rejects the idea that sobriety means staying out of the pub. "A pub can take the pressure off social interaction because it's more chilled than a party and everyone's attention is focused on the game. Other people are going to be a bit merry around you and you can almost convince yourself that you're on that same high."
If challenged, he advises being firm: "You don't owe an explanation to anyone and it should be enough to just say no." And if things get rowdy, an "Irish exit" – slipping away unnoticed – might be the best option.