Brendan, Belconnen

40 year-old Brendan has lived in Canberra most of his life. He loves the home he shares with his family in Belconnen, valuing the space, freedom and nature of Ngunnawal Country. He makes the most of it on his mountain bike.

Alcohol was prominent in Brendan’s adult life until it caught up with him after he suffered an injury.  

“I couldn’t work, I couldn’t ride my bike, I couldn’t do the things I love“.  

Brendan says that at that time his alcohol use had increased significantly. Eventually, he took a step back and questioned his drinking habits.

“That was a solid fifteen years of choosing the drink over, say, being physically active, being healthy, doing better for you or your family or your community. So it definitely caught up”. 

Brendan felt he needed healing – he wanted his ‘tomorrows’ back. He put time he felt he had been wasting by drinking into something he loved – cycling.  

“I didn’t put a timeframe on it – I didn’t put pressure – I just knew it needed to happen’” 

“A thought will come in – you’ll have that thought and you’ll say, OK, not now. I’m good for now. I’m good for now”.

Brendan’s now been alcohol-free for more than a year. He found that without alcohol he could still socialise, still have meaningful interactions with friends and be more present with his family.  

 “None of that changed – I didn’t lose any friends”. 

“I love my mates whether we’re having a coffee or you’re riding a bike or you’re having a beer …. but I just choose not to take that beer”.  

“The change with cutting out alcohol – especially parenting, it’s night and day. I’m a lot more calm, a lot more patient, a lot more present, and it’s just, it’s nothing but the world of good”.