When I realized that I had a drinking problem, I immediately told myself I would moderate how much I drank. If I could just control my drinking, then I wouldn’t have to give it up. I told myself I would only drink on weekends, I would only go out for one beer after work, I […]
Cheers to Tears: Dealing with Post-Party Hangxiety
Whether you drank last night to relieve stress, take the edge off, or “just because,” today you may feel worse than you did before thanks to hangxiety. What is hangxiety? If you have ever been hungover, chances are you have suffered from hangxiety. The term is a combination of the words “hangover” and “anxiety.” Hangxiety […]
Sober October: 31 Days of Clear Minds and Bad Dance Moves
Ah, Sober October—the one month of the year when you actually remember your weekend plans, don’t “accidentally” text your ex, and wake up feeling like a functioning adult instead of a bag of shit. Sound too good to be true? Well, Sober October is here to save you from the clutches of bottomless brunches, questionable […]
Pumpkin Spice and Staying Sober in the Fall
Can you feel that slight hint of fall in the air? I sure can. Autumn weather always brings a sense of nostalgia, and after the dog days of summer, that brisk breeze is a welcome change. However, the change of season can also trigger substance use urges, with spring and fall being particularly challenging for […]
The Surprising Benefits of Getting Sober Young
Sobriety isn’t about what you’re missing; it’s about what you’re gaining. Deciding to get sober at a young age can feel like you’re choosing the road less traveled, especially when everyone around you seems to be in party mode. But here’s the thing: that road less traveled? It’s paved with some incredible benefits that can […]
Down with Disease: Phish Frontman Trey Anastasio Recovers
As the little sister to an enormous Phish fan, I have been dragged to many Phish shows. Like many diehard fans, she has followed the band all around the country, clocking in over 80 shows in the past 25 years. Due to my sister’s undying love and devotion to the band, I have come to […]
In the Shadows: How Active Addiction Leads to Isolation
Even though alcohol is considered a social substance, many people who become dependent on it find themselves feeling alone. When my drinking was at its worst, I could be in a room surrounded by people and still feel absolutely isolated. Active alcoholism kept me separate from my friends and family, my hobbies, my work, and […]
Relapse Is Not Failure: Moving Past A Common Recovery Experience
Five years ago, a medical scare got me sober from alcohol and on my 150th day alcohol-free, I relapsed. I had a family trip to Ireland on the horizon which I was anxious about, and I decided I couldn’t be sober during that trip. So three weeks ahead of it, I drank. After that relapse, […]
Sweet Tooth: Sugar Cravings in Early Alcohol Recovery
I never thought I had much of a sweet tooth. So when I stopped drinking, I was surprised at the amount of cookies, candy, and ice cream I was plowing through each day, particularly at night. I couldn’t seem to get enough sugar, which was odd considering I typically passed on dessert. Many people who […]
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired: Four States That Can Threaten Sobriety
Sober or not, feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired can sometimes bring out the worst in us. But for those in recovery from substance use disorders, these temporary states of being can lead to danger. HALT, which stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired, is a widely recognized acronym in the recovery community, especially in […]
A Heart Struggle: The Misunderstood Phenomenon of Love Addiction
At the age of 18, I entered my first relationship. I was head-over-heels for this dude and in love with being in love. 9 months later, he dumped me for another chick — and I completely lost my mind. I became the crazy ex-girlfriend. I would call him several times a day even though he […]