Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett Sobriety, Shame and Singledom with John Robins
May 8, 2026
John Robins, comedian and author of Thirst, talks about quitting alcohol and learning he was alcoholic only after stopping. He recounts early drinking, blackout memories, and shame from performing drunk. He explores meditation, 12-step tools and why he now values being single, seeking peace over constant happiness.
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Earliest Memory Of Drinking As A Plan
- John Robins remembers first seeking out alcohol aged six or seven, sneaking to a kitchen and drinking wine from a bottle and glass then mixing it with orange juice.
- He frames that episode as planning and executing a drinking plan, not an innocent sip, showing early purposeful behaviour toward alcohol.
First Major Inebriation At Fourteen
- John got drunk for the first time at 14 and suffered alcohol poisoning, waking choking on vomit and being turned over by someone likely saving his life.
- He says every subsequent heavy session tended toward blackouts, passed outness or vomiting, showing an early pattern of extreme intoxication.
Alcohol's Effect Starts With The Thought
- For John the power of alcohol was not just physiological but psychological: the thought of a drink hours earlier altered his mood and made tasks seem possible.
- He could feel effects from one sip or even from anticipating a drink eight hours later, highlighting alcohol's anticipatory pull.
