TSE: Alex can you start by telling us what lead to your sobriety journey?
Alex: Sure. Well, I’ve been in the corporate world for over 25 years—had my own legal business for that long, too. But about seven years ago, I started having eye problems—90% vision loss in my left eye, and my right eye began to deteriorate rapidly. Doctors still don’t know what caused it. It was a really scary time, and I think that’s when I began to lean heavily on alcohol as a crutch.
TSE: That must have been terrifying.
Alex: Yeah, it was. And being from a generation where you didn’t talk about emotions or weakness, I bottled it all up. My drinking escalated quickly from social drinking to a full-blown daily dependency—hiding it, drinking from the morning. It spiralled to a point where I didn’t care if I lived or died. Nothing seemed to matter, not even my family.
TSE: That’s such a dark place to be. Did people around you notice?
Alex: Oh, for sure. People close to me, like my wife, knew something was off. I was still functioning on the outside, but inside, I was completely reliant on alcohol. Eventually, I went in and out of rehab for two years, spending months at a time in different places, trying to break free of it.
TSE: Was there a turning point where things started to change?
Alex: The real turning point was when my son, who was 17 at the time, said to me, “Dad, I need you.” That hit me hard. I realised I had to stop running from the truth. I did a final stint in rehab, and that’s when it clicked. I wasn’t going to win the fight with alcohol. Accepting that I’d gone past the point of no return made it easier to move forward.
TSE: It sounds like acceptance was key for you.
Alex: Absolutely. Once I stopped fighting and accepted that I couldn’t control it, things became clearer. That’s when I started thinking about how I could show others that life can be just as fun without alcohol. I wanted to prove it.
TSE: Is that when you started Claritee?
Alex: Yes! We created Claritee to throw sober events where people could have an amazing time without the need for alcohol. Our first event was at my house with about 50 people—performers, music, fire-breathers. It was a huge success! People couldn’t believe they had such a good time without drinking.
TSE: That’s incredible. How did your friends react to the idea of a sober party?
Alex: It was mixed! Some people were supportive and came along, while others didn’t get it and declined. But the feedback from those who came was amazing—they couldn’t believe how much fun they had.
TSE: I imagine it’s challenging to get people to try something new like that, especially in a culture where drinking is so ingrained.
Alex: It’s definitely tough. We focus on creating an experience that’s engaging and entertaining, so people don’t miss the alcohol. And surprisingly, the connections people form at our events are so much more authentic because there’s no drinking involved.
TSE: That’s so true. You’re more present when you’re not focused on the next drink.
Alex: Exactly! We’ve been running Claritee for 19 months now, and we’ve expanded into corporate events as well. It’s about showing that you can build genuine team connections without alcohol. We’ve even partnered with charities like Ripple to bring more awareness to mental health and suicide prevention.
TSE: That’s such important work, Alex. You’ve built something really special.
Alex: Thank you. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s worth it. We’ve also started Club Claritee, which is more for individuals, not just corporate events. We’re creating spaces where people can come, socialise, and have a great time sober. The response has been amazing.
TSE: I love that! It’s creating a new social norm for people, especially for those of us who don’t want to drink but still want to have fun.
Alex: Exactly! It’s all about giving people the choice and showing them that sobriety doesn’t have to be boring. And the connections people make at our events? They’re real, they’re deep, and there’s no judgment.
