Whether you're on it, off it, or somewhere in between
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
I set out to write about my experience at inpatient detox, hoping it would encourage or inspire people to go to detox if they were considering taking the leap. However, after having written a draft, I was fearful my story would dissuade someone from going — because my experience was not great. So, I tossed […]
Many times throughout my drinking career, I tried to sober up, and each time I had the dilemma of when to tell people. It was really nobody’s business but my own, but for whatever reason, I felt the need to tell people right away. Maybe I wanted to hold myself accountable, or perhaps it was […]
When I decided to get sober, I sought help from a recovery program to help me stop drinking. Based on countless “whiteknuckle” attempts at sobriety on my own, I realized I could not do it alone and I needed help. In my desperation, I decided to give a recovery program a try — even though […]
I knew my relationships were going to change when I got sober, and once I learned I could live life without alcohol, I became less focused on drinking or not drinking and more focused on my personal growth. I did not want to be a dry drunk, so I knew that I had to make […]