Author: Alysse Bryson

The Sober Spotlight is a section on our site that highlights extraordinary people in recovery doing really cool things. Today we are shining a light on Justin Lamb. He puts the EXTRA in extraordinary in the very best of ways. Justin is a husband and cat dad that produces a super cool podcast, called Friend Request.

Justin Lamb, Founder of Friend Request Podcast, has in-depth interviews with people he follows on social media, as well as his own social media followers. Friend Request dives deeper than the likes and comments. With each episode, Justin tries to create a more meaningful conversation about each individual he’s connected with. Justin ties each interview together with the commonalities and struggles that not only are extremely relatable but also fall across the entire spectrum of the human experience. Episode 071 – Alysse Bryson Alysse Bryson is the founder of The Sober Curator and an all-around badass. Alysse discusses growing up…

WEconnect Health Management believes that recovery should be accessible to everyone. They know connection is crucial to staying in recovery from addiction because we’ve been there ourselves. WEconnect was born from our co-founders’ personal journeys in long-term recovery. It’s a free mobile app with a focus on supporting those in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Online Support Meetings WEconnect offers over eight daily online recovery support meetings, open to individuals at all stages of recovery and from various pathways. The app provides instant access to our online recovery support meetings, led by our WEconnect peer recovery support specialists, from…

Sober Fall Fashion is here! Is that even a thing? We are making it so! Take a listen to this SOBER POP podcast episode from Wednesday, September 8, 2021, where we discussed Recovery Lifestyle Brands that we love to #ADDTOCART. Is shopping your cardio? Have you been thinking of starting up your own sober merch shop? Then, you are not going to want to miss this kick-ass line-up of special guests from just a few of our favorite recovery lifestyle brands. Sober Pop Recovery Lifestyle Brands Special Guest Line-Up: Get Those #ADDTOCART Fingers Warmed Up! Sober Pop Pro Tip: Talking…

Brian Compton is a recovery coach from Concord, North Carolina. He started his own recovery coaching business after discovering for himself that a life of freedom from addiction was possible. Frustrated with traditional methods of recovery, and refusing to resolve to go to meetings for the rest of his life, he sought recovery from a more holistic perspective. Brian is a recovery consultant who helps humans struggling with addiction to maintain sobriety and THRIVE – not just survive – life in recovery. He has personally helped dozens of those struggling to escape the trap of addiction by creating a shift…

In 1989, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) launched National Recovery Month to increase awareness surrounding mental health and substance abuse. At the same time, they wanted to celebrate the success stories to illustrate that living in recovery is possible. Each year, the SAMSHA selects a theme, highlighting an area of focus and creating a toolkit for organizations to use. NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH The month provides a platform for services and professionals to educate the public about substance abuse treatments and mental health services. While substance abuse and mental health services are nothing new, the stigma attached to them remains. September…

Ritual Rum Alternative tastes like warm vanilla, toasted spice, and the velvety decadence of a dark rum. This is not going to be the Rum & Coke you remember from your drinking days.

Growing up in Beverly Hills, Amy Dresner had a top-notch private school education, the most expensive summer camps, and even a weekly clothing allowance. But at 24, she started dabbling in meth in San Francisco and unleashed a fiendish addiction monster. Soon, if you could snort it, smoke it, or have sex with it, she did. Smart and charming, with Daddy’s money to fall back on, she managed to keep it all together. But on Christmas Eve 2011, all of that changed when high on Oxycontin, she stupidly “brandished” a bread knife on her husband and was promptly arrested for…

Today we are shining a Sober Spotlight on Joseph Conniff. He recently published his first book called Causes and Conditions: A Life Experience in Addiction and Recovery. This book takes a comprehensive look at both his battles with addiction and his journey to find recovery. Through his sixteen years in active substance use, Joe takes us through his experience of growing up in the prescription opioid crisis, post 9/11 military life, and eventually homelessness and despair on the streets of Seattle. This book offers a perspective into the author’s experiences with addiction, trauma, the criminal legal system, and programs and…

The Sober Rapper a.k.a Pop Buchanan shares on his latest single a soft hearted and passionate letter to fellow addicts worldwide. In his latest project “Dear Addicts”, Pop Buchanan shares words of encouragement to the addiction community. This heartfelt song shares Pop’s passion and love for the addiction recovery community. The Brooklyn bred Lyricist suffered from alcoholism in his 20’s and found his sobriety on December 15th, 2012. Pop Buchanan devoted his life to expressing why sober is dope and to share his recovery testimony through podcast, hip hop, and clothing. The Sober is Dope CEO is serious about recovery.…

Get ready to meet our Mascots! In honor of our one-year anniversary, we gave careful consideration to the best way to celebrate. Earlier this year we had so much fun making our Sober Curators magazine cover mock-ups, we thought what better way to celebrate our one-year anniversary than to celebrate it with our fur babies?!?!?! Plus, it was a fun excuse to create magazine covers of our four-legged friends (and one special fish) that have been by our side through all the ups and downs of the last year. Sobriety combined with a global pandemic has been challenging, to say…

Thank you, Google. Whether you are a person that identifies with the 12-step community or not, this commercial is a Gold Medal WIN 🥇 for the recovery community at large. Thank you @google for acknowledging how many new people are exploring their relationships with alcohol and substance use disorders … starting over from scratch. Thank you for positioning recovery in a way that it’s just as normal as starting to date again, working out, and vacationing. Starting from scratch sounds much better than hitting rock bottom, overdosing, losing a job, or getting a DUI. Why is this Important? Headlines and the CDC…

Here is a recap of the Sober Pop Tips on one-liners and witty comebacks for people asking us why we aren’t drinking. Bring on the snark or practice being the best version of your sober self – you decide! Notes as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, July 20th, 2021. One-Liners, Zingers, and Clever Comebacks – FUNNY One-Liners, Zingers, and Clever Comebacks – PRACTICAL SOBER POP Tips is a collaborative effort to help those new to sobriety and recovery navigate real-life situations. Sober Pop on the Clubhouse app was active during the pandemic. We’ve covered…

Here is a recap of the 9 Tips on how to handle a friend or loved one that is in active relapse, while also protecting your own boundaries. Practicing these suggestions can help you be the best version of your sober-self, as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021.

This Sober Spotlight is about Ninety 90 Pictures, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit film and television production company that provides jobs and peer support to people in recovery from drugs and alcohol. They were founded by Scott Langer and Rachel Ellner in 2020 and are based out of Downtown Los Angeles. Ninety 90 Pictures Mission Their mission is to help people in addiction recovery achieve long-term stability through gainful employment in the film industry and connect people going through recovery to those who have been through it. What They Do They hire people in all stages of recovery for…

Cork Hill Sorrel is a small family owned business that produces three flavors of Caribbean Hibiscus Tea. Traditionally, Sorrel is enjoyed during the holidays. However, they are ready to change that. Inspired by their treasured family recipe using simple, wholesome ingredients, they have created drinks you can celebrate every day with.

Today we are shining a Sober Spotlight on Kenneth Watson of Jacksonville, Florida. He is a Veteran who recovers out loud by sharing his battles with alcoholism and how he kicked this deadly addiction. His Background Kenneth was born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in San Diego, California. The youngest of five, two brothers and two sisters. His parents are divorced. Kenneth went to four colleges and universities before obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Radio Broadcasting. He has also earned a minor in Ethnic Studies from St. Cloud State University back in 2003. Kenneth served in the Army for six…

Whether you watch Red Table Talk on Facebook Watch or listen to it on Apple Podcasts, this is an episode you will not want to miss. Join Jada Pinkett-Smith, her daughter, Willow Smith, and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, as they open their home for a series of groundbreaking and healing conversations. That’s three generations around one table with no filter, and we are here for it! The Nut(ty Professor) and Bolts of this Conversation Jada, sober for 22 years, and Adrienne, sober for over 30 years, candidly talk about their past struggles surrounding addiction. Self-claimed as a “walking miracle,” Jada…

Molly’s Dry Bar & Bottle Shop will be hosting their very first pop-up in Seattle on Saturday, July 24th in the form of an alcohol-free cocktail party!

Here is a recap of the 10 Tips and Tricks for navigating weddings, Birthday Parties, Miscellaneous Celebrations, and Family Gatherings in early recovery. Practicing these suggestions can help you be the best version of your sober-self, as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of taking good care of yourself and preparing to attend any event can seem overwhelming and even a completely foreign concept. SOBER POP Tips: 11 Tips and Tricks to Navigate Weddings, Birthday Parties, Miscellaneous Celebrations, and Family Gatherings 1.)…

The REVA Recovery movement and meditation-based program will teach you how to establish the conditions necessary to liberate yourself and begin your beautiful recovery journey. At REVA, they believe you already have everything you need to create the life you want. They are simply here to help you unlock it. If you suspect your life could be more vital and enjoyable without drugs or alcohol, you’re probably right. But many people struggle to transition to a sober lifestyle on their own. And traditional meetings and treatment programs aren’t right for everyone. Meet the Founders of REVA Recovery Erin Ranta (Sober…

All of us at The Sober Curator and at the SOBER POP Club on Clubhouse are big proponents of giving and being of service. Whether it be time, talent or money, we all have unique gifts to share with others. Besides wanting to be a good human, there are many reasons to give. Multiple studies on the topic reveal that people who give time and money are happier, live longer and feel more connected. This aligns nicely with our recovery journeys, right?

Here is a recap of the 10 Recovery Selfie Care Practices to be the best version of your sober self, as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of taking good care of yourself can seem overwhelming and even a completely foreign concept. SOBER POP Tips: 10 Self Care Tips to be the Best Version of Your Sober Self 1.) Practice Affirmations – Regardless of where you are in your recovery journey, it’s probably a good time to reprogram negative and obsessive tendencies.…

Here is a recap of How to Navigate Shopping Situations in Sobriety as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of the grocery store can be overwhelming. One wrong turn and you can end up in the booze aisle. For some, this can be very triggering. Depending on what state you live in, the visual triggers can be overwhelming with alcohol placement displays even near check-out registers. SOBER POP Tips: 10 Useful Tips on Navigating Grocery Stores and Various Shopping Experiences 1.) Enter the…

Inspired by a true story, Four Good Days is a painfully accurate depiction of the real-life struggles of heroin addiction. Four Good Days (clean) is what Molly, played by Mila Kunis, needs in order to qualify for a much-needed opiate-antagonist shot that will keep her body from responding to heroin for 30 days. Her mother, Deb, played by Glenn Close, is reluctantly there to support her yet again after enduring over a decade of many (many) failed attempts. Our story begins as Molly shows up at her mother’s front door seeking a safe place to detox. Molly (Kunis) is barely…

Tawny Lara is an NYC-based millennial who writes about the intersection of sex and sobriety. Her work is featured in Playboy, Men’s Health, Huffington Post, Writer’s Digest, Mic, The Temper, Audiofemme, a sex column for SheSaid, and two essay collections: The Addiction Diaries (LaunchPad 2020) and the forthcoming reimagining of Sex and the Single Girl (Harper Perennial 2022). She is the co-host of Recovery Rocks podcast and the story developer for the Webby-Award-winning podcast, F*cking Sober. Sitting down via Zoom with Tawny felt so surreal. I’ve been listening to her podcast, Recovery Rocks, for over a year. In fact one of the very firsts podcast reviews I did for The Sober Curator featured Tawny…

Here is a recap of How to Navigate Live Concerts & Festivals as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of attending concerts and festivals, places we used to attend (sometimes very) inebriated, can seem overwhelming. Does this mean we have to give them up? No, it doesn’t. We’re sober, not boring. That said, we do need to make a plan before putting ourselves in these types of environments. SOBER POP Tips: 10 Useful Tips on Navigating Live Concerts and Festivals 1.) Change…

Here is a recap of Finding a Therapist Tips that were discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of finding a therapist can be overwhelming and daunting. How do you navigate finding the right person for you?

Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster by Kristen Johnston is an excellent #QUITLIT recovery memoir to add to your home library or must-read list. This two-time Emmy Award winner will take you from tears of laughter to tears of pain. This sober gal truly spills her guts as she recounts the final days and weeks in London that led to her start of her journey in recovery. Maybe you know her from her famous role as Sally Solomon in “3rd Rock from the Sun”. Perhaps you recognize Johnston from that episode in Sex & the…

The Creative Independent just dropped Sober 21. A “Zine” of essays by, and interviews with, sober musicians. It’s a free resource for musicians who want to begin or are on the journey of getting clean and sober from drugs and alcohol.