“I have lost 8 stone!” – Darren Scanlon

I have been a party animal since my late teens

Weekend binges, midweek beers, and any excuse to drink — that was my life throughout my 20s and well into my 30s.Every Monday began with regret, every week was spent recovering, and every weekend repeated the same cycle.I tried to moderate countless times… and failed every time.

In 2009, I managed to stop for the full year

I read Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Control Alcohol and stayed alcohol-free for most of that year.But on New Year’s Eve, I made the conscious decision to drink “moderately” again.

A few days later, at a family wedding, I was right back to my old ways — as if nothing had changed.

Every January after that, I repeated the same pattern:read the book → try again → last about 3 months → give in.

I started putting on weight

I’d been obese my entire adult life, but by my mid-30s I was nearing 20 stone. My health was deteriorating fast.I went through scans, tests, endless doctor visits.

In October 2017, during an ultrasound on my liver, reality finally hit me.This wasn’t a “bad habit” anymore — it was destroying me.

Something had to change!

My list of issues was growing:

• pre-diabetic

• fatty liver

• unstable blood results

• shakes and sweats

• over 21 stone

I told myself I’d start fresh on January 1st…but instead, after a brutal New Year’s Eve, I ended up on a 12-hour bender on New Year’s Day.

That was rock bottom.

I finally started on 2nd January

I read Allen Carr again.I signed up for OYNB.And for the first time, I was truly determined to turn my life around.

Being Irish wasn’t an excuse anymore.Our culture may revolve around drinking — but my health, my future, my family meant more.

In the early days, OYNB gave me a simple way to say “no”:

“I’m doing the OYNB Challenge — let’s see how long I can go.”

That alone helped me get through the first weeks.

Fast forward to today

Life didn’t stand still while I was changing — I lost loved ones and attended weddings, including my own, which would never have happened if I hadn’t gone alcohol-free.

I’ve lost 8 stone — not through diets, but because removing alcohol finally let me take control of my life.First I walked. Then cycled. Then swam. Now I train 6–7 days a week.

I’ve gone from “party organiser” to the one dragging the family outdoors for hikes, swims, and adventures.We sea-swim most weekends.We show our kids that life doesn’t need alcohol to be fun.

The younger generation seems more health-conscious — and I hope the work OYNB does keeps pushing that shift forward.

The OYNB Facebook community has been incredible: supportive, non-judgemental, and always there.

I’m excited for another year of growth — and to join as many OYNB meet-ups as I can.

Alcohol held me back for decades. Now, life finally feels like it’s moving forward.