Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Amy Liz Harrison is the bestselling author of two memoirs, “Eternally Expecting: A Mom of Eight Gets Sober and Gives Birth to a Whole New Life…Her Own” and “Eternally Awkward: A Future Mom of Eight Reflects on Mysteries of Anxiety, ADHD, and Coming of Age in the 80’s.” As a mother and a writer, Harrison felt inspired to create the “Kiss Your Brain” series of children’s books in 2023. This series tackles the big mental health topics her family—and all families—face. With five stories written from a child’s point of view, this series addresses substance abuse, eating disorders, and other…

It’s hard to find a celebrity as misunderstood as Britney Spears. Plagued by paparazzi and invasive interviewers, the negative press surrounding Spears has created an echo chamber of speculation and negativity spanning her 30 years in the spotlight. So, when it was announced that her memoir would be published following the end of her 13-year conservatorship and censorship, Britney fans rejoiced everywhere. The Woman in Me, published in October 2023, is Britney’s testimony–a chance to set the record straight. After over a decade of an abusive conservatorship, censorship, and lack of access to her social media, through which she lost…

In The Lower Power, Michele Miller’s upcoming addiction fiction novel, there’s a new drug running rampant in New York. If you try it once, you’ll be hopelessly addicted. It invades your mind, takes over your life, and puts you totally under its control. People are abandoning their families and committing violent atrocities. The city is under siege, while the corrupt police force looks the other way. This sounds familiar to anyone who lived through the crack epidemic in New York in the ‘80s, but Miller adds a supernatural twist to her story. There’s an entity who personifies the drug. He…

For as long as I can remember (over 30 years), I drank alcohol every day. Beer being my biggest drink of choice. Most of that time I was a functioning drinker… go to work, do what I needed to do for the day, then come home in the evening and put down 6 or 8 beers and relax. I have always struggled with anxiety and depression, so this was my way of letting go and feeling ok for the night. This was the way I was for years, and to me, it worked. But the last few years I started…

Hey there, jet-setting teetotalers! As we gear up for the holiday hustle, it’s time to face the harsh reality that travel is about to become a major player in our lives. Whether you’re navigating the open road, riding the rails, or braving the skies, the journey can be tough. Now, for most people, airports are just a blip on the holiday radar – a necessary evil in the pursuit of festive joy. But for us champions of sobriety, airports are like the ultimate obstacle course filled with temptation at every turn. I mean, c’mon! Bars, cocktail-slinging restaurants, and duty-free stores…

Why is a break from booze before the holidays ideal timing? Sober Curator Allyson Sullivan, blogger of Shimmer & Shame, shares her story. My sobriety date is November 28, 2021. That means my first month sober was the month of December. What happens in December? Christmas parties with friends. Christmas movies. Christmas cookies. ALL the Christmas activities with kids. Christmas cooking. Time off work. Downtime with family. All the games. All the music. You know what goes with all those things? Wine. Beer. Christmas cocktails. Spiked hot chocolate. Holiday-inspired mimosas. Christmas-themed shots. Some people may say that starting my sobriety…

I found out after reading Cherry that the book was semi-autobiographical and that Walker wrote it from prison. That makes sense. The world he describes—inside and outside his mind—feels too vivid and authentic to be pure fiction. He was a middle-class white kid who loved drugs and booze (and women) from the start. They helped him escape his mind, which was not a happy place to reside, even though his circumstances weren’t bad. He signs up for the Army because he can’t think of anything better to do, and ends up working as a medic in the Gulf War for…

Two and half years ago I quit drinking. I noticed my sleep got better, I had more energy, my anxiety went down, and all the other annoying things that non drinkers brag about to their friends that still drink. All of those things really did happen, but that’s not what this post is about. It’s about garbage. I figured since I could quit drinking and had more time on my hands I could do other things I’m interested in like running, yoga, writing, reading, and binge watching TV. I also started walking my dogs more, and because I was also…

It’s Fall, Y’all! How sick are you of hearing that? Are you equipped with your pumpkin spice lattes, plaid, and some decorative item that reads “spooky season?” (I admit that I literally have all these things because I am basic.) Fall is fun and exciting because it visually represents change. No inner work needed! See those leaves? They are different colors now. You did it! You made it through another season. Despite the obvious differences in the seasons, Fall is also a time of transition, not just in terms of weather and scenery but also in our own personal journeys.…

Birthdays are an excellent opportunity for self-reflection, goal setting, and health resets. Kind of like a “personal New Year’s Eve,” it feels like a fresh start. My 35th birthday is right around the corner, so naturally, I have been consumed with the “Who the fuck am I?” questions I am flooded with whenever one of my trips around the sun is ending. My mother also reminded me that I will be closer to 50 than 20 the day after my birthday, so that’s great…thanks mom. As I’ve been pondering just who the fuck I am, I’ve been reflecting a lot…

Rachel is one of those alcoholics who has lost her job but gets dressed and takes the train to the city every day anyway, pretending to go to work so that people don’t think anything is wrong. She’s been doing this for about a year while she runs out of money and tests the patience of everyone in her life. Her circumstances are bad, but the climate in her head has become unbearable, so she lives in a fantasy world, imagining lives for the people she sees out the train window every day. She gives them names and elaborate back…

Sober. I hate that word. It sounds so sad. Before I stopped drinking, I basically replaced the word “sober” with “boring.” I didn’t think anyone was sober because they wanted to be. Sobriety was something you had to become because you had a problem. My stance on this has completely changed based on my experience and education on the topic, but I think most people still feel that way, and that’s okay. I have always been good at balancing my different worlds and harvesting different versions of myself based on my current needs. Stretching and morphing myself into the “Allyson”…

Less than a year ago, a woman and Sober Curator named Kate Vitela contacted me from the vibrant canvas of Sober Instagram. She had an intriguing proposition. She wrote a column in an online magazine highlighting sobriety and the role fashion can play in recovery. She wanted to interview me. *Cue imposter syndrome* We chatted on the phone, and she conjured an article that seemed to effortlessly encapsulate not just my essence but the story that had woven itself through the tapestry of my life- a tale of sobriety and sartorial splendor, an artful choreography of self-care. She contacted me…

During our journey to recover from alcohol use, it is only natural that a lot of stagnated energy will be released as we let go of our addictive behaviors. Citrus essential oils can offer powerful support in the release of stagnated energy from our bodies, and they can encourage a healthier, more vibrant flow of energy throughout.  Let’s explore the potential energetic power of four specific Citrus essential oils. BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia) All citrus oils are inherently uplifting, but what sets Bergamot apart is that it is also extremely calming.  This can make the use of Bergamot essential oil a…

In the world of recovery and self-improvement, sponsors play an essential role in guiding individuals through the tumultuous journey of change. Traditionally, sponsors provide support, wisdom, and a listening ear. I love my sponsor. He calls me when I am upset. I talk to him at length about my program and how I’m keeping sober while taking long walks on the beach. Sharing dinners with him is often a joy, as he’s willing to try anything I make. And today I have to put him down. My sponsor – one of them anyway – is Spock, my loyal canine companion.…

Sober in St. Louis? Ladies, are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards empowerment, self-discovery, and a vibrant, alcohol-free lifestyle? I’m thrilled to share a remarkable opportunity with you, especially tailored for the sober and sober-curious women of St. Louis. On September 23rd, prepare to gather with like-minded souls at an event that promises to ignite your inner spark and connect you with a supportive community of women walking the same path. This workshop is a haven for those seeking clarity, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose in their sobriety journey. Whether you’re well on your way…

First Dry January and now Sober October? When did taking a break from alcohol become so trendy? What’s with the trend in sober, curious adventures? In a world that both celebrates and mourns with a clink of a glass, a new movement has taken the stage – the Sober Curious Movement. From Dry January to Sober October, there’s an undeniable shift in the air. But why? Well, because it’s not just about quitting the drinks; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that’s truly liberating. And guess what? It’s happening, and it’s happening now. Let me introduce myself: I’m Sarah Olsen. I’m a…

Hey! What do you get when you cross members of the Phellowship (a group of sober Phish fans) with die-hard Packer fans? You get Section Yellow, the only sanctioned, fan-driven sober resource and ambassadors’ group in the NFL. In this video, I chat with Section Yellow’s founders John Plageman and Thomas Doughman about their experiences in getting the group started, the strength they’ve received from sober fans and their allies, and the hope to expand sober acceptance in an area where drinking is not just part of the culture, it’s often the whole thing. And we talk a bit about…

Willkommen zum Oksoberfest! Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago AF are thrilled to host the all-new alcohol-free and adults-only version of Germany’s classic celebration, Oktoberfest! Visit tents and sample non-alcoholic beers and craft cocktails. Snack on brats and pretzels with mustard flights. Dance with hundreds of new friends to the fun polka sounds of a live Polka band. Snag a spot at a traditional communal-style Oktoberfest table and relax or explore the zoo’s animal habitats without all the crowds! Come for the mocktails, stay for the community. Want to learn about the history of Oktoberfest? Stop by and see our award-winning community partners, DANK…

Help Us End Ableism. When my son Max was born the geneticist said to me “You know there’s a pill you could have taken for that.” My son Max is an individual who happens to have Down syndrome. People look at him and think they know who he is, believe he has no value in the world, or diminish his chances by not giving him opportunities to show them what he can do. THAT is Ableism. He is now 14 years old and surfing, skateboarding, making art, taking photos with vintage film cameras, loves science and is an epic drummer.…

I found this book on a list of addiction-themed novels, but it is not what I would categorize as “addiction fiction,” since the main character isn’t an addict or alcoholic, and addiction is not a central theme. Chappie (later Bone) smokes a lot of weed, has a birth father and friends who are drug addicts and a stepfather who is an alcoholic, commits tons of crimes, was abused as a child, yet he never develops anything resembling an addiction. I kept waiting for it to happen, and was my primary motivation at times to keep reading, but instead this turned…

A little over two years ago, an email arrived that sparked an exhilaration within me, an individual on the path to sobriety, and a fervent sports enthusiast. The message conveyed that I had secured two tickets to a minor league baseball game, and these were no ordinary tickets—they granted access to the all-you-can-eat-and-drink section. The prospect of indulging in an endless flow of beverages aligned seamlessly with my history, yet this time, it was profoundly different. Die Hard (Sober) Sports Fan Those who know me are aware that I live and die by my support for the Milwaukee Brewers. I…

Ashley Ryan is a podcast host, an award-winning screenwriter, producer, and personality who illuminates the little-understood aspects of philosophy, theology, history, and Western esotericism. Ashley has been a partitioner of the occult for over half her life working with candle magick, Tarot Cards, and Ceremonial Magick. After earning her BA in Philosophy and Theology, she was a professional ghost hunter/tour guide for two years. In 2019, Ashley began her online occult identity as her persona “Pythian Priestess” garnering thousands of followers and international press. Ashley Ryan is sharing her special Magical Mocktails for those looking to explore and expand their consciousness…

Hey there, sports enthusiasts, and sober champions! Welcome to our revamped corner of the internet where we’re shaking things up and blending sports with sobriety. What? Sports? Here? Isn’t this supposed to be a site about #Quit-Lit, sober fashionistas, mocktails, and other stuff that is so not sports? Sports play a vital role in many of our lives, even during sobriety. We don’t hang up our cleats, stop cheering, or turn off the game when we embrace a sober lifestyle. Just like we don’t stop going to concerts, reading, or creating. Instead, we celebrate how sobriety adds a whole new…

Essential oils make an incredible addition to a sober support plan, as they can help you navigate various emotions by providing calming, relaxing, grounding, and uplifting effects. However, with countless essential oils available, it can be challenging to determine which ones suit your needs best. To ease your search, I’m delighted to share my top five favorite essential oils for sober support. I love them because: 1. They are known for their calming, relaxing, grounding, or uplifting properties. 2. They are budget-friendly options. 3. Each oil offers a unique aroma, ranging from woody to floral to citrus. 4. They are…

This is a beautifully written book that is quite different from the usual action-packed “Addiction Fiction” thrillers and crime stories I’ve reviewed so far. It was Leslie Jamison’s debut novel. The narrative is split between the first-person perspectives of Stella and her estranged aunt Tilly, a lifelong alcoholic and former prostitute who lives in isolation in the middle of the Arizona desert. The voices of these two characters combine to paint a picture of the family’s suffering across generations. Relationship and addiction problems run in the family, although they manifest very differently across the narrators and other characters. Stella suffers…

Lawrence Block has written 22 books featuring Matthew Scudder, his ex-cop/unlicensed private detective. Eight Million Ways to Die is the fifth in the series. I started here because I’m an Addiction Fiction nerd and this is the volume in which Scudder admits to being an alcoholic. Eight Million Ways to Die The book was published in 1982. It’s a time capsule that took me back to the New York City I knew as a kid. The subways were badly vandalized and covered in graffiti back then, taxis wouldn’t go north of 125th Street, and drug dealers ran Bryant Park. Pay…

The path to sobriety can be extremely challenging, but it’s also very rewarding. It’s a journey that demands coping mechanisms to deal with overwhelming emotions, and yet, you can find tremendous comfort in your new way of life. Aromatherapy can help you feel more in control of your experience because it offers very specific therapeutic benefits to support you through the ups and downs of the process. How Essential Oils Work Essential oils, the heart, and soul of aromatherapy, are composed of specific chemical compounds that indicate their distinctive benefits. When you inhale an essential oil, its molecules are swiftly “read” by the…

Anyone who reads crime fiction is familiar with the alcoholic ex-cop private investigator character. Randy Chalmers is an ex-cop who gets sober and makes millions as an architect, but when his sponsor dies of an apparent overdose he steps into the role. He goes around town, roughing people up, shaking them down for information and trying to find out what happened and who was at fault. Deep down, Randy knows that it was his own fault – at least partially. Life got good for him in sobriety. He got busy and drifted away from AA and his sponsor. If he…

This is the first book by Michele Miller that I have read, and it was excellent. It starts as a hard-core zombie story set in NYC, with a great cast of characters. There are all of the requisite guts, gore, and brains splattering…. It is not my usual genre, but it is brilliantly done. The recovery aspect of the story is barely mentioned in the first few chapters. It comes on slowly and naturally. Eventually, the cast figures out that alcoholics and addicts are “immune” from the zombie disease (the Walking Dead can’t smell them), so they are ultimately the…