Breaking Myths About Recovery
Before I got sober, I only had one close sober friend. I didn’t learn much about sobriety from him until after I got sober, because once he entered recovery, I often avoided him. I thought people in recovery were miserable and bored—or, worse, boring. I didn’t think I could have fun around someone in recovery, […]
Common Fears About Sobriety
Getting sober can be scary. It’s a huge change that affects almost all aspects of your life—not to mention that addiction changes your brain so you come to rely on the substance to get through life. Below are some common fears about recovery that I, at eight years sober, have found to be false: I […]
Why Recovery Is a Gift, Not a Punishment
In the years I knew I had a problem before I got sober, I had two ideas about sobriety. 1. It would be the end of all that was good, dooming me to a life of denying what I wanted, and 2. Sober people who touted the miracle of recovery were exaggerating or lying. Nearly […]
Sober Role Models
There are a lot of stigmas about addiction that keep people from seeking help. If you don’t know (or think you don’t know) any sober people, those stigmas have room to grow. When you speak to a person in recovery, it challenges preconceived ideas about what addiction or sobriety looks like. Sponsors In 12-step fellowships, […]
Making it Through Challenges Sober
When we get sober, our lives tend to improve significantly. I can’t think of any aspect of my life that hasn’t changed for the better since I entered recovery over seven years ago. Still, life is life; there will be hard times. Active Addiction Makes Life Harder Whatever you’re going through—whether it’s grief, stress, job […]
Top Five Sober Activities to Do in Gaithersburg, Maryland
A big question many people ask when they first get sober is, “What will I do for fun?” Luckily, there are so many answers to that question. Below are five fun sober activities to do in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Watch Live Performances, Take Classes, and Experience Art at the Arts Barn The Arts Barn is a […]
Staying Sober on Halloween
7 Ways to Stay Sober on Halloween Halloween in recovery—especially early recovery—can be a challenge. Most parties involve alcohol. However, there are many fun ways to celebrate the holiday sober. Halloween is also a kid-centric holiday, meaning that most of us actually do have experience celebrating it sober, even before we enter recovery as adults. […]
Moving Past Fears of Sobriety
When it comes to getting sober, many people have lots of starts and stops. Six years before I got sober for what I hope to be the last time, I quit drinking for a couple months—only to pick up right where I left off. There were many times throughout active addiction that I tried to […]
How To Maintain Your Sobriety During The Holidays
Holidays can be a fun and exciting season of the year. There are plenty of parties, gatherings, and seasonal activities that call everyone to eat, drink, and be merry. For people in their recovery journeys from alcohol or drug addiction, holidays may not be a fun time. Holidays have a lot to deal with, from […]
3 Mocktail Ideas for This Holiday Season
While many Americans are busy planning their Thanksgiving menus and making travel arrangements to visit family, you may be worried about how to maintain your sobriety. The holidays can be an enjoyable time to spend with loved ones, but they can also be a very stressful time, especially if you are in recovery. Thanksgiving dinners, […]