The Night the Music Stopped

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July 04, 2025

The Sobriety Daily Newsletter
July 4, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Sober

How sobriety rewrote one musician’s life

Ashley’s relationship with alcohol began like so many others—innocently enough at first. At just 13 years old, he was drinking in parks and at parties with friends. By 15, he was immersed in Cardiff’s bustling pub and club scene, playing in bands four to seven nights a week. Alcohol wasn’t just present; it became a constant companion, a fixture in his daily life.

But what started as a social habit soon spiraled. Alcohol paved the way for other destructive behaviors—smoking, cocaine use, and eventually, binge eating. The cycle was relentless: drink excessively, eat excessively during the hangover, recover, and repeat. He knew something had to change.

Ashley turned to exercise and a whole-food diet, managing to cut back his drinking to just once a month. But even those occasional nights out came at a cost. A single drink reignited cravings—not just for alcohol, but for the old habits he was trying to leave behind. It wasn’t just about frequency; it was about what alcohol represented—a gateway to chaos, anxiety, and self-destruction.

Then came the breaking point: a final night out, followed by a crushing hangover, suffocating anxiety, and dark, suicidal thoughts. In that moment, he knew—he was done. He couldn’t keep living as that version of himself. More importantly, he refused to let his kids remember him as a miserable, hungover shadow of who he wanted to be. He chose sobriety, and with it, a completely new life.

Today, at 785 days alcohol-free, Ashley’s world is different. Simpler. Clearer. The constant hum of alcohol-fueled anxiety is gone. The wasted money, the junk food binges, the regret—all replaced with time, patience, and a quiet, steady peace.

Sobriety gave him back his energy—for music, for performing, for his family. Since quitting, he’s independently released new music, with another album set to drop soon. He’s lost over five stone, returned to his 16-year-old waist size, and now competes in fitness competitions and 10K runs. Most importantly, he’s present—fully, unshakably there—for his kids.

But Ashley knows his story isn’t unique. The cycle of alcohol and drug use, especially cocaine, is an epidemic woven into UK culture—one that’s ruining lives. He believes in real, honest support for those still trapped in that cycle.

Did he have a “drinking problem”? Labels don’t matter. What matters is this: alcohol was causing problems, so he let it go. And that single decision—to quit for good—changed everything.


If you have a story that you would like to share with our community please drop us a quick email to [email protected] and we will ensure to contact you back asap to discuss your journey…

Today’s Mantra

Today, I release what no longer serves me.

Sobriety News

  1. Alcoholics Anonymous celebrates 90 years as 30,000 members gather in Vancouver for an international conference, showcasing the program’s enduring global impact. Longtime member Carolyn reflects on her 24-year sobriety journey, crediting AA’s anonymity and community for transforming her life—while organizers emphasize its spiritual (not religious) approach and proven success in fostering long-term recovery.

  2. After a yearlong investigation exposed flawed drug testing in Georgia’s child welfare system, Daydrianna Hefner proved her sobriety through independent lab tests—finally reuniting with her daughters after three years in foster care. The case highlights systemic issues, including unreliable hair follicle tests and labs failing to distinguish legal from illegal substances, prompting calls for reform.

  3. Minnesota launches "Operation Dry Water" for Fourth of July weekend, with law enforcement cracking down on impaired boating—zero tolerance for alcohol-related offenses. DNR warns that nearly half of fatal boating accidents involve alcohol, emphasizing arrests (not warnings) for violators, alongside new tech like underwater drones for victim recovery.

  4. Sunderland City Council has approved £101,555 in funding for NERAF, a peer-led recovery charity, to expand its addiction support services—including recovery coaches, outreach programs, and training—to help "hard-to-reach" individuals battling substance abuse. The investment aims to fill critical gaps in treatment and reduce long-term community trauma, with councillors praising NERAF’s "lived experience" approach as vital to Sunderland’s recovery ecosystem.

  5. Hendersonville’s beloved sober bar, The Buzz, closed after two years due to unsustainable costs—despite being a thriving alcohol-free hub for music, community events, and recovery support. Its parent nonprofit, Hope Coalition, will repurpose the space for a Recovery Community Center while exploring a smaller future revival tied to workforce reentry programs.

Tip of the Day

When a craving hits, don’t resist it—redirect it.

  • Craving wine? Chug sparkling water with lime like it’s your job.

  • Missing the bar? Hit a coffee shop or sober meetup with the same intent.

  • Bored at witching hour? Do 10 push-ups until the urge passes.

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Stay Strong, Stay Inspired.
The Sobriety Daily Team