A fitness coach who stayed sober for almost a year has revealed what happened the moment he broke his sobriety.

Dan Hancock, who goes by the handle @mentalhealth_pt on TikTok, gave up drinking in 2023 after years of alcohol-fuelled nights out.

Now a personal trainer and mental health advocate, Hancock said he is the "happiest and healthiest he has ever been" since going sober.

But at the 322-day mark of his sobriety, temptation crept back in.

A man shared what happened when he broke his 322-day sobriety. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty

‘The sun was starting to come out…’

In a six-minute TikTok clip shared in 2024, Hancock revealed that he was "feeling great, happy, very healthy," and that being sober "was the best decision" he's ever made.

He said that while he breezed through the first eight months of not drinking, things changed with the arrival of warmer weather, and this led to him "forcing himself to not drink" for about eight weeks - a new struggle he hadn’t expected.

"The sun was starting to come out, there was a change in seasons... That was such a deeply conditioned relationship in my head with picking up a drink," he told his followers.

Convincing himself that ‘just one’ was fine

As the cravings grew, Hancock began rationalising a return to casual drinking.

"I've developed so many skills, I have proven to myself that I have an on/off switch, I now can go and enjoy nights out sober," he explained. "So therefore, I should be able to go out and have one drink or two drinks, because I can do the extremes. So, surely I could do something in the middle."

He even began questioning whether he’d ever had a real issue with alcohol at all. "All of these reasons popping into my head were guiding me and encouraging me to pick up a drink again... I was having this debate in my head, this back and forth, for quite a while."

"In my head, it was quite a logical conversation I was having with myself, weighing up the pros and cons... [alcohol] had already won," he said.

‘Like a switch’: The moment everything changed

Eventually, he gave in during a stag do with friends at the airport and got "wrapped up in the moment".

"For anyone who's been sober and thinking about picking up a drink again, I want you to hear what happened to me and how fast it happened," he said. "I had a drink and it was like a switch, honestly. It was like an on/off switch."

"That moment, as soon as I'd had that one drink, I knew where that night was going."

"Next thing I know, it's six in the morning the next day, and I'm sitting there with my mates on this couch," he shared.

Hancock said that he didn't "transport back into" who he was 12 months ago, when he decided to go sober. Instead, he went back to what he calls "the worst version of myself from six years before".

"I became that person again. Like that. That just shows you how quickly it happened," he told his followers.

The relapse and the lesson

Though disappointed with himself, Hancock said the experience ultimately reaffirmed his decision to stay sober.

"The positive was that [I decided] I'm not going to do this again," he said. "Now, I know that I can't stop. It's not for me, I should not drink, end of."

Even more surprising, though, he confessed that when he began to feel himself again after a few days of sobriety, he began to "crave a drink".

"How crazy is that? After not having that craving, impulse, or urge for a whole year. I immediately felt the craving again," he said.

Still, he isn’t beating himself up about it: "To realise and reinforce 100 percent that this is not for me. We can start fresh with a clean slate, knowing it's not for me, and also knowing that I've done it for a whole year before. And I can do it again."

Now, a year on from sharing the story, the personal trainer says he’s in a “completely different headspace” and remains fully committed to his sobriety.

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A recovery coach has shared three warning signs that you might be a functioning alcoholic.Connor, who goes by @thesoberplug on TikTok, isn’t pulling any punches.In a now-viral clip, he breaks down the red flags that often get overlooked because, let’s face it, not all alcohol issues look the same.1. “You compartmentalise your drinking”Let’s start with the first red flag—selective drinking habits.Connor explains: “Number one, you compartmentalise your drinking. This means that during certain times or responsibilities you refuse to drink. However, once that is over with, you allow yourself to drink and that is justified."Sound familiar? If you avoid booze during work hours or certain responsibilities but count down the seconds to your next “acceptable” drink window, it might be more than just discipline—it could be denial.Alcoholism can ruin lives. Credit: PixelsEffect / Getty2. “You think that certain externals or materialistic things justify your drinking”If you’ve ever told yourself, “I can’t be an alcoholic—I’ve got a great job and a nice apartment,” Connor says you're missing the point.“Number two, you think that certain externals or materialistic things justify your drinking. In other words, if you have a nice car, a nice house, a nice job, you feel that your drinking isn’t an issue, because you would not have these things if it was a real problem.”He adds: “However, we all know that status or financial success has absolutely nothing to do with having an alcohol problem.”Just because your Instagram feed screams success doesn’t mean your relationship with alcohol is healthy behind the scenes.3. “As long as I am providing... it can’t possibly be an issue”This one hits hard for parents and providers. The idea that putting food on the table means everything else is automatically fine is a dangerous myth, according to Connor.“And number three, you might provide for yourself or your family and in this circumstance, your alcoholism is justified. Functioning alcoholics get the sense of, ‘as long as I am providing for my family or myself that it can’t possibly be an issue’.”“After all, if it was a real problem, I wouldn’t be able to be responsible for certain people, right?”“Well that is completely false. Our actions have consequences on other people, just because we can balance a few different things, it does not mean that we don’t have problems in our life and that it doesn’t impact others in our life.”Connor wraps up the clip with an important message: if any of this sounds too familiar, don’t brush it off. It’s time to reach out.He ends the clip by urging anyone who is struggling with alcohol to reach out for help.If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please reach out for help and contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/ Featured image credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty

Anthony Hopkins has sent a touching New Year's message after celebrating 48 years of sobriety.

The 85-year-old Silence Of The Lambs actor shared an inspiring message on Instagram captioned: "Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2024. One day at a time, today I am 48 years sober. Life is in session."

He enthusiastically kicked off the clip by saying: "Hello there, Happy New Year to you all! All of you revelers, and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!

"Happy New Year, have a great time," the Academy-Award-winning star continued, before adding with a laugh: "If you get a hangover, remember me."

Check out Hopkins' post below:

The Hannibal star went on to explain that 48 years ago he decided to seek help for his alcoholism, and this "changed" his life for the better.

"I don't envy you having fun out there," Hopkins stated and then encouraged people who are struggling with addiction to seek support. "But if you need help, [take it] a day at a time. Life is in session. Go for it."

The video was uploaded just days before he celebrates his 86th birthday on December 31, and amassed over 156K likes. The comment section was flooded with fans and famous faces expressing their appreciation for the veteran actor.

The Goonies actor Josh Brolin penned: "You are THE MAN!!! Love ya. and Happy 48th!", while The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan wrote: "Happiest of new years to you and Stella! Big love from the Morgan's. Xxxx"

One fan heartfully shared: "You’re the coolest, Tony!! Congrats on another year of sobriety, you inspire so many. Wishing you a very happy birthday and much prosperity and good health in the new year. Enjoy yourself as you always do!"

A second user said: "Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many. Almost two years alcohol-free here. Your story and words have helped immensely," while a third added: "Congratulations on being 48 Years sober! I don’t drink alcohol, so I am right there with you on being sober.

"Despite what some people think, one doesn't need to have alcohol to have fun. You are the coolest, and such a fun person! Sending you love, hugs, and blessings for a very happy 2024!" they concluded.

Anthony Hopkins. Credit: David Livingston / Getty

The prolific actor has won numerous awards throughout his long-running career, including two Oscars. The first was in 1991 for playing cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, and the second was in 2021 for The Father, making him the oldest-ever Oscar winner at 83.

Hopkins has been outspoken about his sobriety and has a tradition of sending out well wishes at New Year, and optimistic statements for those struggling with alcoholism.

In an interview with The New York Times in 2020, the Red Dragon actor recalled the moment that led to his decision to become sober in 1975, sharing that he had woken up in a hotel room in Arizona, but could not remember how he had gotten there.

"I thought, 'Well, I've got to stop this because I'm either going to kill somebody or myself,'" he told the publication. "My life, from that moment on, took on new meaning."

Hopkins also revealed to Sunday Times Magazine in 2021 that Alcoholics Anonymous had saved him after he experienced an incident where he almost "drank himself to death".

"When I asked for help and I realized I wasn't alone, that there were thousands of people like me, all my fears began to dissolve," he said. "The boozing is over and done with but I'm not a goody-goody.

"In the old days, I would be hanging out at bars, getting smashed and blacking out. Now I'm happy being on my own," he added.

Featured image credit: David Livingston / Getty

Bam Margera has opened up on his prolonged battle with addiction, shedding light on the grim side of rehab, the pitfalls of interventions, and the unexpected catalyst that led him on a path to sobriety.

The Famed Jackass star's battles with alcohol and substance abuse have made headlines on multiple occasions over the last decade. Additionally, his stints in rehab facilities have also been widely covered.

Now, in a candid revelation, Margera admitted that despite these numerous attempts, he never managed to complete a rehab program.

The stunt artist's resilience seems to be paying off as he recently announced that he has maintained sobriety for 45 days.

But what changed? Margera provided insight during an appearance on the Preston & Steve Show on 93.3 WMMR, where he remarked: "I bought a one-way ticket to hell and back, and I’ll explain, but I’m phenomenal now. I have the Guinness Book of World Records of longest Florida shuffle – fifteen back-to-back rehabs, usually 90 days of peace but sometimes more."

The term 'Florida shuffle' refers to the controversial practice where certain rehab centers continually readmit patients to claim insurance payouts. Such a model inevitably pushes patient welfare to the background, leading to repeated cycles of admissions without lasting success.

Bam Magera back in July. Credit: Sean M. Haffey / Getty

Margera continued: "Luckily, I had phenomenal insurance, and the interventionist knows that if you have insurance, they’ll find every reason to keep you there."

Margera's encounters with interventions, which were often disguised as friendly invitations, left him feeling "sabotaged".

He recalled instances where he was lured into believing he was heading for a nice dinner, only to face an intervention. Such approaches, according to him, were counterproductive. "All that didn’t work because I was already bitter about it," he admitted.

Danii Marie and Bam Margera. Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

But the star's family and loved ones have frequently spoken out about their concerns about the star, with his own brother saying that Bam was "dying" earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Margera found himself at a crossroads following a public intoxication arrest in Radnor Township in August. The subsequent court order mandated an ankle monitoring bracelet and regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

However, it wasn't the legal ramifications that turned the tide for Margera; it was love.

He credits his new relationship with helping him find the strength to stay sober. "But when I was at my wit’s end in LA... And I just happened to meet the most phenomenal girl ever. Her name is Danny Marie... So we connected big time [, and] she gave me an ultimatum – her pusswa or the Vodka. … 45 days now sober," he revealed.

We wish Bam all the best on his recovery journey.

Featured image credit: Haffey/Getty Images

A man who was forced to leave his high school teaching job over a DUI charge has since learned that he has a rare medical condition in which his body essentially brews alcohol in his gut.

Mark Mongiardo, of Estero, Florida, first noticed symptoms of his auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) in 2006 when he worked as a high school teacher and coach in New Jersey.

It was during this year that colleagues of the father of two started making complaints that they could smell alcohol on his breath despite him never having drunk any such beverages at work.

Mongiardo was ultimately placed on paid administrative leave despite maintaining that he wasn't drinking on the job.

"I would never do that. I'm a teacher," Mongiardo said to ABC 7 reporter Kristin Thorne. "It was very concerning to me. I really had no idea what was going on."

Despite having committed no wrongdoing, he felt forced to leave his job, relocating to Long Island with his wife and two children to start a teaching job over there.

"I really could just see it in everyone's eyes," he said of his former colleagues. "They just really didn't believe what I said when I was saying I hadn't been drinking."

It all came to a head back in 2018 when Mongiardo was pulled over by police and charged with drunk driving. Despite failing the breathalyzer test, he hadn't had a single drop of alcohol. Sadly, he lost his job over the charge.

He'd failed a breathalyzer test in 2018. Credit: Carrastock/Getty Images

"That’s when I lost everything. I lost everything that somebody could lose," the former teacher - who currently works at Target - told ABC 7. "I had to sell my house, I had to sell my car. I couldn’t get a job in education, I couldn’t get a job at a grocery store.

"I had pending felony charges. You know, I was facing prison time for two DWIs when I had not been drinking," he added.

Mongiardo recalled how his mother started doing her own research based on the symptoms of her son's condition - and that's when they stumbled across ABS.

In his desperation, Mongiardo decided to seek help from Staten Island-based gastroenterologist Dr. Prasanna Wickremesinghe, one of the few medics who specializes in ABS. The doctor ultimately diagnosed him with the condition.

"I started hysterically crying because I really felt that I had found the answer," Mongiardo said.

Wickremesinghe believes ABS is caused by antibiotics, which cause disorder to the flora in the gut and allow fungus and yeast to take over. When an individual with ABS consumes carbohydrates or sugar, the gut ferments alcohol.

"I've seen them go three times the DWI level in two hours," Wickremesinghe said of some of his patients.

Featured image credit: Jan-Otto/Getty Images

Fans have been left overjoyed after seeing a new video of Bam Margera skating "flawlessly" again, following his struggles with substance abuse.

The former Jackass star, 44, has been in the headlines in recent months for being in and out of rehabilitation facilities, but recently revealed he is in a "phenomenal place" after hitting 45 days sober earlier this month,

He opened up about his past struggles with rehab and what changed this time around on the Preston & Steve Show on 93.3 WMMR, explaining: "I bought a one-way ticket to hell and back, and I’ll explain, but I’m phenomenal now.

"I have the Guinness Book of World Records of longest Florida shuffle – fifteen back-to-back rehabs, usually 90 days of peace but sometimes more."

Bam is back to skating following his recent rehab stint. Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images/Getty Images

The term 'Florida shuffle' refers to the controversial practice where certain rehab centers continually readmit patients to claim insurance payouts. Such a model inevitably pushes patient welfare to the background, leading to repeated cycles of admissions without lasting success.

He continued: "Luckily, I had phenomenal insurance, and the interventionist knows that if you have insurance, they’ll find every reason to keep you there."

Bam revealed in the interview, which took place on October 5, that he was 45 days sober at the time after completing his latest treatment.

Now, fans have found a video posted at the start of October showing Bam skateboarding just as well as he did in his heyday, and it has left them emotional at how far he has come recently.

The video, posted on YouTube by the Just Shred Crew, shows Bam enjoying time at the skate park with the three brothers from PA who love skateboarding, pulling off tricks without missing a beat.

Fans were loving seeing him doing so well, writing: "Actually amazing that he's still got this down so flawlessly after all the s**t he's been through!"

Others added: "Dear skateboarding: please, save Bams life, as you have before.... sincerely, all of us," and: "It’s so good to see him shredding again, he never lost it, I hope he keeps at it, it’ll literally save his life!"

Another commented: "It's honestly so nice to see Bam skate again!", while someone else added: "So cool to see him shredding again! He looks so stoked to be tearing it up and landing sick tricks. I wish him many more years of happiness!"

Fans were delighted to see the str (pictured in 2007) back to doing what he does best. Credit: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Fans also wrote: "It's great to see him in a much better head space and doing good. The guy has been through a lot over the years so this makes me happy to see," and: "You got this bam. Rooting for you."

As well as being overjoyed to see him back on the ramps, fans were mostly over the moon to see the smile lighting up his face as he once again did what he does best.

We wish Bam every continued success for his recovery, and look forward to seeing lots more skating videos to come from the iconic skater.

Featured image credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images/Getty