An article came out this week in the NY Times that was titled “The New Sobriety,” in which the subheading “every one is sober now, even if they drink a little?,” took on a life of it’s own, negatively impacting the views of the article. While I do think the article and it’s attention is a net positive, I also … Read More
Drinking Alcohol Is Not Self-Care
Self-care is the practice of taking action towards preserving or improving one’s health & well being. Let’s stop with the cutesy memes that get it royally twisted and create a false, unnecessary narrative that drinking alcohol is ‘caring’ for ourselves because it’s NOT. Alcohol is a deterrent to our health. Not a preservative. Alcohol causes cancer 1, depression, anxiety 2, … Read More
What It Really Took To Get Sober
When I got sober on August 17, 2008, after yet another happy hour turned sunrise, something inside of me had snapped. I remember standing on the balcony earlier that morning, just as I had run out of cocaine, chain smoking as the sun started to remind me what a degenerate person I had become, or at least that’s how it … Read More
10 Reasons To Stay Sober During The Holidays
Tis the season to be jolly…for most people, that is. However, for others, it can be a season of anxiety about staying sober during the holidays. This will be my ninth holiday season without alcohol as the centerpiece, and I can attest, while it may seem scary at first, the holidays are SO much better sober and you CAN avoid … Read More
The Moment You Know You Have To Begin Again
On August 17, 2008 I dropped to my knees in a prayer born out of desperation as a result of my cocaine and alcohol addiction coupled with Anxiety & Panic Disorder. It had all become too heavy to carry. In that moment I knew everything had to change; that I had to start over and try something new. After that … Read More
4 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Addicted
No one begins their drinking or drugging career thinking they’d like to develop an addiction. You don’t start out boozing, snorting lines of coke or taking pills with the notion that you would like to make this your daily routine. It’s not something you aspire to work towards or some glorious thing you set out to do. “They” tell you … Read More
Dear Alcohol, This Is Goodbye.
Oh dear “friend” Alcohol, what a long, weary road we have traveled together… When I first met you at the ripe age of 15, I had no idea what an impact you would make on my life – and not the good kind, unfortunately. I hate to tell you, but no one starts out their relationship to you with the … Read More
Sobriety Is A Wake Up Call
When I got sober almost 9 years ago, I had no idea what was coming next. My initial goal was to stop using cocaine and in order to do so I knew I also had to quit drinking. What I didn’t realize is that I was answering a much bigger call. My sobriety hasn’t just been a call to clean up … Read More
I Don’t Drink Because It Doesn’t Make Me Feel Good
As I approach almost 9 years of sobriety, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be sober: to live a life without alcohol or drugs. I can’t tell you how many of my coaching clients come to me saying they wish they could just be “normal,” with drinking. Or that they didn’t think they had a … Read More
5 Guiding Principles That Transformed My Sobriety
Walking the path of sobriety and living in recovery takes bravery and a great deal of willingness. I work with a lot of people now in my sobriety coaching practice and so many of my clients have similar fears and questions. How do I get sober? Where do I start? How do I explain it to friends and family? Does me not … Read More