Irish singer-songwriter Trev Moran is embracing the holiday season with a newfound sense of joy and purpose. This year’s Christmas holds a special importance for him, marking a stark contrast to the tumultuous holidays of his past.
“Every other Christmas has been quite patchy and a bit of a blur,” he admits, reflecting on a time when anxiety and alcohol overshadowed the festive cheer.
Moran’s journey to sobriety began with a struggle against anxiety and panic attacks that plagued him during his school years. As he grew older, he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, a decision that gradually spiraled into dependence.
“Drinking slowly took over my life, to the point I stopped making music and couldn’t get out of bed without a drink,” he confesses.
Now, 12 months sober, moran is channeling his experiences into something positive. He’s releasing a poignant Christmas single titled “December Ghosts” to benefit Pieta House,a charity that played a crucial role in his recovery.
“I ended up using their services because I had a lot of anxiety and depression growing up,” he explains. “At the age of 13, I ended up dropping out of school because I just had this onslaught of debilitating panic attacks that took me over.I ended up not being able to leave my house for about two years.”
Moran recalls a time when mental health services were less accessible, leaving him grappling with his anxiety without understanding it’s nature. At 16, he discovered alcohol as a temporary escape.
“That anxiety just absolutely fizzled away, just disappeared into nothing,” he says, describing the initial allure of alcohol.
Around the same time, Moran discovered his passion for music, picking up a guitar and finding solace in songwriting. he joined bands, performed gigs, and found himself immersed in a culture where alcohol was frequently enough intertwined with the music scene.
“Alcohol was very much encouraged at gigs and things like that, it all kind of married into each other,” he explains.
Over the next 18 years,Moran’s drinking intensified,becoming a dominant force in his life. “I was quite content being an alcoholic, quite frankly, because at least, in my mind, I didn’t care that my life would be cut short from it, as long as it was keeping me away from panic attacks,” he admits.
However,in his mid-20s,alcohol took a devastating toll. “Priority number one was getting my hands on alcohol, because I needed it to just physically be able to move and get out of bed,” he says, describing the depths of his addiction.
Music,once a source of joy,was abandoned as moran sold his instruments to fuel his addiction. ”The whole thing was going into a terrible downward spiral.The music had been forgotten about, and then for the next few years, it was nothing but alcoholism,” he reflects.
A turning point came on December 4th of last year when Moran woke up in a hospital bed after a drinking episode. Faced with an ultimatum – seek treatment or face the consequences – he chose recovery. That day marked his last drink, and he entered the Tabor Lodge alcohol treatment center in January.
Moran’s time in treatment proved transformative. “It was explained to me the ‘why’ of my drinking, that there wasn’t…”
Irish musician Trev, known for his soulful lyrics and captivating melodies, has emerged from a period of personal struggle with renewed purpose and a powerful message of hope. After battling panic attacks and grappling with past traumas,Trev has found solace in music and is using his platform to raise awareness for mental health.
“I realized something was wrong in my brain, that this was all based on traumas that had happened in my childhood, and the reason the panic attacks were coming about was that I hadn’t dealt with any of this,” he says. “It just flipped my entire life on its head. My perspective completely changed, and I was able to look at it from a very practical viewpoint.”
while the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, Trev has developed coping mechanisms to navigate difficult times. “There’s been scary times, but I’ve learned how to deal with them,” he says. “Every time a panic attack or something like that feels like it’s coming on, it’s now an possibility for me to rewire my brain. Once I breathe through it, and teach my brain that everything is fine, it re-corrects itself.”
Approaching his first year of sobriety, Trev is overjoyed to be back creating music. “I’ve finally got the energy and wherewithal to actually write music again,” he says. He channeled this newfound energy into recording and releasing a Christmas track, “December Ghosts,” in support of Pieta House, an Irish suicide prevention and mental health charity.
“They’re a really important institution, and I hope Ireland has more such institutions to come in the future, because we need them,” he says.
The song, infused with Trev’s signature heartfelt lyrics, draws inspiration from cherished childhood memories of Christmas in Crosshaven, Ireland. “The lyrics began as a little collage of various memories from my own life in crosshaven,” he says. “I always had very lovely memories with pals around Christmas time down here.”
“December Ghosts” also serves as a poignant tribute to a freind who tragically died by suicide ten years ago. “It’s a little nod to people who haven’t yet found a way or an avenue to speak openly and honestly about who they are or how they are,which is something that truly saves lives,” says Trev.
The song is available now through Trev’s social media accounts, where donations to Pieta House can also be made.He has already raised €1,500 for the organization. “Any donations are very much welcome,” he says. “I’m also excited to get the new music out as well.”
As for Christmas plans, trev is looking forward to creating new traditions and memories. “It’s likely that I won’t be spending much time in pubs, so I’m going to have to find myself somewhere else to go,” he says. “It’s something I’m looking forward to though.”
“December Ghosts” is available via @trevscribbles on Instagram and
For more information on the services offered by Pieta House visit www.pieta.ie.
## Facing the Music: Trev Moran Finds Harmony in Sobriety
**World-Today-News**, December 18, 2023 – Irish singer-songwriter Trev Moran is embracing this holiday season with a newfound sense of joy adn purpose. This year’s Christmas holds special importance for him, marking a stark contrast to the tumultuous holidays of his past.
“Every other Christmas has been quite patchy and a bit of a blur,” he admits, reflecting on a time when anxiety and alcohol overshadowed the festive cheer.
Moran’s journey to sobriety began with a struggle against anxiety and panic attacks that plagued him during his school years. As he grew older, he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, a decision that gradually spiraled into dependence.
“Drinking slowly took over my life, to the point I stopped making music and couldn’t get out of bed without a drink,” he confesses.
Twelve months sober, Moran is channeling his experiences into something positive. He is releasing a poignant Christmas single titled “December Ghosts” to benefit Pieta House, a charity that played a crucial role in his recovery.
**A Conversation with Trev Moran:**
**World-Today-News:** Trev, thank you for sharing your story. Can you tell us more about your experiences with anxiety and how it led you to alcohol?
**Trev Moran:** it started in my early teens. Panic attacks would hit me out of nowhere, and it felt like I was losing control. The world seemed to shrink, and I was terrified. At the time, I didn’t understand what was happening or why. It was only when I was older that I realized these attacks were rooted in past traumas I hadn’t dealt with.
Back then, alcohol seemed like a magic solution. it would instantly erase the fear and anxiety, allowing me to feel “normal,” even if just for a while.
**World-Today-News:** How did the music scene and culture influence your relationship with alcohol?
**Trev Moran:**
It definitely played a role. Alcohol was deeply ingrained in the music scene. It was seen as a badge of honor, a rite of passage, and everyone around me was doing it. It made it seem like a normal and expected part of being a musician.
**World-Today-News:** You mention a pivotal moment on December 4th, which led to your decision to seek treatment.Can you describe that moment and what changed for you?
**Trev moran:** I woke up in a hospital bed, completely disoriented and ashamed.The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive. In that moment, I realized how much alcohol was controlling my life and destroying everything I held dear. I had a choice to make: continue down this destructive path or fight for my life.
**World-Today-News:** What has been the most challenging aspect of your sobriety journey?
**Trev Moran:**
Probably confronting the underlying emotional pain that I had been suppressing for so long. Sobriety forced me to face my demons head-on, and it wasn’t easy. But without the alcohol to numb the pain, I was finaly able to heal and grow.
**World-Today-News:** How has your music evolved as becoming sober?
**Trev Moran:**
My music has become more honest and authentic.Now, I’m able to write about my experiences with vulnerability and rawness, which connects with people on a deeper level. I hope my story can inspire others who are struggling to find hope and healing.
**World-today-News:** What message do you have for people who might be battling addiction?
**Trev Moran:**
You are not alone. Recovery is possible, and it’s worth fighting for. There is help available,and people who care about you and wont to see you succeed. Take that first step towards seeking help, and don’t be afraid to ask for support.
**World-Today-News:** Thank you, Trev. Your honesty and courage are truly inspiring.
**The charity single “December Ghosts” has already raised €1,500 for Pieta House.**
