A Lanarkshire woman has turned her sobriety into a new podcast.
Catrina Slavin decided to give up alcohol in September 2021 and after going sober for a full 12 months decided to help other people who were thinking of kicking the habit.
Catrina, a call centre worker from Blantyre, said: “It’s been going really well. The numbers we have had has been great.
“Most of our guests have been from our local area but since our first few episodes we have been speaking to people from across the country.
“We have had everything from one person overcoming binge eating to another who had to deal with a heroin addiction.”
Catrina, 39, has also started a support group in Hamilton aimed at helping people with addiction.
She said: “The group runs every fortnight with out next meeting on Wednesday, May 3, at our base in Hillhouse Industrial Estate.
“When I started it I didn’t think anyone would show up but we had 12 people at the first meeting.
“Since then it has grown and we now have around 200 in our private group.
“We aren’t experts and if people really need help we can signpost them to relevant groups but it’s just about supporting people.
“We also have people coming along who are sober curious and are wanting to stop.”
Catrina decided to give up booze following lockdown and insists she feels better for it.
Her next challenge is to provide a range of activities for her group members.
“I decided to give up drinking because I was overweight and I was overeating as well,” said Catrina.
“I felt rotten. The first two or three months were difficult but you have to change your whole mindset because many of the activities I was doing meant going out and having a drink.
“I found going to the gym or going walking really helped me and I’ve tried other things such as cold water therapy.
“I’m looking to start sober events with the group whether it be bowling or going out. That’s the next step for me.
“My friends and family are really backing me which is great. My work have also been great and have had people there reaching out to me which is great.”
You can check out Binge with Catrina on Spotify.
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
