ECR breakfast show host, Darren Maule. Picture: Supplied
Durban - East Coast Radio breakfast show host Darren Maule celebrates nine of years of being sober and the month of October is of particular importance to him as it is also known as OcSober.
OcSober is when South Africans are urged to quit drinking for the month in order to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol.
During a recent interview with IOL, Maule said that since having his last drink nine years ago, he has never looked back.
Maule said there was no one “aha” moment that led him to his decision, but a series of events and conversations with people, including those in management at ECR.
He said since his last drink, he has nurtured a loving relationship with his daughter and has gone on to accomplish great feats in his career as well as in his personal life.
"For people wanting to go down the route of being sober, you have to change your lifestyle and your habits. You're literally changing your life," he said.
He said was important for people wanting to go sober to surround themselves with friends and family supportive of the change.
"If they don't support the new life, they have to go. I experienced it first-hand when friends and family would say things that were so disruptive to my journey," he said.
However, for him, it was a decision to go totally sober, not just quitting for a period.
Maule recalled times when he would arrive at work not feeling "too great" after the night before, but now those were memories in the past.
He said he believed that his managers had faith in him and although there were a few bumps in the road, he has made it this far.
Maule said when he goes out, he is able to socialise without having alcohol.
He said for those wanting to quit drinking, they should have an honest conversation about their behaviour.
"Speak to your pastor, your therapist or someone who will be honest with you. If you're able to, have an open and honest conversation with yourself and look at your life. Can you visualise a life without alcohol or narcotics? If you want to be sober, you have to be able to have an image in your head of life for the rest of your life without alcohol," he said.
IOL