Joshua is a Warlpiri/Tiwi man from the Bagot community in Darwin, Northern Territory. Alcohol caused a lot of problems in his life — trouble with the police, hospitalisations, and mental ill health. But today, after giving up drinking, he is proud to set a good example for his son and his community.
When Lauren Pettis (35) and her husband, Phil, began trying for a baby at the end of 2020, the couple made the conscious decision to go alcohol-free for their pregnancy journey.
Warning: This story contains details that may be distressing. No parent expects their child’s life to be cut short by alcohol. My son Dylan was just 26 when he died from alcohol-induced hepatitis, or liver inflammation.
I’m Rodney and I work in policy and research at FARE. I’m someone with a personal experience of alcohol dependency. I don’t fit some of the stereotypes of alcohol dependency – I didn’t experience significant trauma and didn’t use alcohol until my mid-20s. But I did end up using it excessively and compulsively for many years.
When you think of an old-fashioned stand-up comedian, you can’t help but think of smoky bars, endless drinks and lots of big nights. But the industry is changing, with more comics now opting to drink little or no alcohol.
Pauline was never a big drinker. But to deal with the challenges presented by COVID-19, she started relying on a glass of wine or two every night.
When I was 11, my dad told me about his alcohol dependence. I remember him sitting on the end of my bed, doing his best to make it make sense. Pieces of early memories started falling into place.
It has been 30 years since Dave Hughes gave up drinking for good. Today, he is one of Australia’s most successful comedians, television and radio hosts and all-round entertainers. But before becoming this person, he was living a different life.
As a young person in the bodyboarding community, Tyler became immersed in the partying and alcohol culture that came along with it. But alcohol didn’t just remain a social thing – Tyler came to associate alcohol as a ‘reward’, giving himself ‘permission’ to drink often.
Throughout her early adulthood, Kathryn was a binge drinker – so much so, she says, that it felt like part of her identity. Later, as a mum of three sons, a ‘morning after’ moment on a family holiday led her to decide to take a break from alcohol. so, she says, that it felt like part of her identity. Later, as a mum of three sons, a ‘morning after’ moment on a family holiday led her to decide to take a break from alcohol.
Who doesn’t like an inspiring story? Whether it’s a thought-provoking magazine article, a powerful TV documentary, or a heartfelt social media reel, stories have the power to move people and start honest conversations about the issues that our communities face.
Recently, I celebrated my 30th birthday. On the same day Celeste, one of my sisters, celebrated her birthday as well. We are not twins — we just have so many siblings that two of us were bound to pick the same day of arrival. My family loves babies. My mum has six of her own […]
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
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