Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Picture of Me, written by Thomas Laurence, is a 157-page journey through anger, grief, depression, and addiction told in poetry and drawings. It serves as a guide for emotions experienced by many and discussed by few. The brutal honesty in pieces like Dark Knight, No Help for the Wicked, and Monster in Me is jarring but necessary. Getting the emotion out helps get the author through to the other side. It is what makes this collection of works so relatable to those experiencing similar feelings. With titles like Dear God, Mercy, Mercy Me, and Gentle Rain wash away my tears, there is still hope in the disturbing but impactful writing.…

Fear didn’t think that I would show up today, But I did, and I’m here Hate thought I’d relate, but it’s the energy of love in which I resonate Anger tried to linger, but I sought out my peace Self doubt came about So I had to heal, let go, release Impatience tried to rush me, I spitefully decided to take my time Insecurity tried to break in So I had to reinforce my mind Trauma tried to hide in the shadows Til’ I decided to shed light on my past Uncertainty said to freeze, But my will and my…

I know that it’s hard Drinking for the day like it’s no tomorrow Through happiness and sorrow Drinking for the day like you don’t want to see tomorrow Or see your scars You fear what you feel when the bottle is gone I know that it’s hard Wake up and take a shot like it’s Tylenol Drown out the pain Make me feel sane Try to bury my demons Thinking maybe I’ll change But they got the reigns Saying, “Take just one more shot.” Until it’s all out of range Til’ you find yourself slipping because your body can’t hang…

Creating a home environment that truly supports you is very important for anyone on the journey to sobriety. The good news is that even the tiniest, most thoughtful changes to your living space can lead to amazing transformations that promote healing, clarity, and a lively mindset. We often think that simply putting the bar cart away or hiding the liquor cabinet is enough. Still, if we’re being honest, those innocent-looking items lurking around the home can have a lot more influence over your mood and cravings than you might think. So rather than just going through the motions and pretending…

The Quiet Struggle I often write about my messy bottom as a nurse—those long, dark nights that ended with me face-planting into rock bottom. But what I rarely talk about is the five-year stint I had in pharmaceutical sales. Yep, as a career nurse, there was this whole chapter in my life that I almost pretend didn’t happen because I’m still a little ashamed of it. It was a time when I swapped my scrubs for suits, but I felt like I was constantly in disguise, hiding behind sales jargon and wine glasses. I wasn’t exactly a corporate superstar, but…

Models Strut Their Stuff in Support of a Cause By Contributor to The Sober Curator: TeQoa Griffith Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of covering a runway show in New York City that was more than just a fashion event. It was a powerful celebration of resilience, beauty, and the human spirit. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, featuring a group of inspiring models who had all undergone breast amputations. The sponsors played a crucial role in making the event successful, providing financial support and raising awareness about their important work. The Break Free Foundation holds a show…

As a sobriety coach, I often receive questions from my clients regarding the challenges of living an alcohol-free life. In this blog post, I will answer the top five recurring questions that are frequently asked. We will address common concerns, such as whether or not one can still have fun without drinking and if thoughts of alcohol ever resurface. So, let’s dive in and explore the joys and struggles of sobriety together. Here are additional insights to support your journey towards a healthier and happier life. 1. Why can’t I moderate my drinking? (Pro Tip: It’s a trap, stay off…

SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD!: The following is a piece written and submitted by Gary Schwind. This is the section of our website where our readers and contributors take center stage, sharing their transformative sobriety journeys. I’m new to the sober lifestyle, with less than a year of alcohol-free days. (I do know the exact number. I write it next to the date at the top of every journal entry.) However, while I can’t boast several years of sobriety, I have learned some things that I think are especially useful to those who are early on their journey of sobriety or those…

Traveling is usually a great adventure—a dance with the unfamiliar that invites us to embrace new sights and sounds. Yet, for those on the path of sobriety, this exhilarating journey can hold its challenges. The allure of exploration often masks the lurking triggers and temptations that can arise in new places, which makes it all too easy to feel lost or adrift without the comfort of familiar support systems. This is why staying connected while traveling is vital for your recovery. In a way, it’s like carrying a fragment of home in your heart—a comforting reminder that the love and…

We are excited to share 5 powerful songs to add to your ultimate sober playlist. These songs represent a part of our recovery journey. This edition delivers a strong dose of redemption and grace because we could all use just a little bit of this. Enjoy the tunes!

Let me break this down for you; here’s how this works. FIND THE TRAILERS, REVIEWS & SO MUCH MORE!​ Welcome to The Mindful Binge at The Sober Curator, where we explore TV series that intricately weave addiction, recovery, and mental health into their compelling storylines. Imagine us as your diligent, bee-zy TV series binge-watchers or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free visual storytelling sanctuary. Have you ever judged a TV series by its title or poster? In our buzzing hive, we’ve meticulously curated shows that delve into these themes, allowing you to flutter through captivating TV series displays. Our digital…

It’s Movie Night with The Sober Curator & The Sobees Rule the Silver Screen. Movie Night with The Sober Curator ????????️ Welcome to Movie Night with The Sober Curator, where we explore movies that intricately weave addiction, recovery, and mental health into their compelling storylines. Imagine us as your diligent, bee-zy movie concierges or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free visual storytelling silver screen. Have you ever judged a movie by its title or poster? In our buzzing hive, we’ve meticulously curated movies and documentaries that delve into these themes, allowing you to flutter through our captivating movie hive. Our…

British Adventurer, Mountaineer, and Guide Oliver Browne and Recovery Coaches Mary Tilson and Carrie May are teaming up to host an awe-inspiring epic guided adventure to Everest Base Camp from April 1 – 12, 2025. Oliver, Mary, and Carrie are all in long-term recovery and share a passion for creating transformational off-grid experiences for others. If ever there was to be a bucket list destination for the sober, adventurous spirit, Everest Base Camp would top the list. This expedition epitomizes the power of challenging oneself, resiliency, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Designed for individuals in recovery, recovery allies,…

I am not the kind of person to attend a still art show. I appreciate fashion shows and moving art. Maybe because I move constantly and don’t slow down enough to take it all in. So, when I take the elevator up to the 5th floor at the Bendix building in DTLA, I am surprised at how moved I am standing still. The room is crowded, full of people standing around in the summer night heat with a slight breeze blowing through a fan in the window. The artist, Catherine Just, is smartly dressed in an oversized blazer with the…

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a preview of a play called Shower Chair before Ben Fallaci and his producers took it to the Edinburgh Fringe. The play is an autobiographical performance that charts the protagonist’s coming of age in Cape Cod and the influence that substances and problematic friendships had on his journey. I was lucky enough to interview Ben about the play, his artistic process, and his sobriety. Read on to find out about Ben’s experience of being sober in London (hint: it’s not always easy), what it’s like to get naked on stage, and his…

Sober spotlight on Jenny Teeters coving coaching, recovery resources, and her new book, Every Day is a New Day: A Story of Faith

In the last couple of years, around 5.4 million Americans decided to make a fresh start overseas, trading in the hustle of life in the U.S. for new adventures abroad. Whether it’s the lure of different cultures or just a change of pace, living outside the U.S. offers people a chance to explore new horizons and experience life from a different perspective. From sunny beaches to charming European cities, Americans are saying yes to the opportunity to hit the reset button and build a new chapter in exciting locales around the world. But with that excitement comes a challenge for those in…

In The Hope Dealer—A Recovery Story by Drew Broadhurst, we dive deep into David’s life and struggles as he navigates the turbulent waters of addiction, recovery, and the tenuous path back to normalcy. This short film showcases the raw and often heart-wrenching journey of addiction and the glimmers of hope that keep individuals moving forward. Trigger Warning: This short film may be sensitive material for those in early recovery. A Card Game as a Metaphor for Life The opening scene starts with Rosie engaging in a card game with her stuffed animals, which becomes a powerful metaphor throughout the film.…

Since joining The Sober Curator, I’ve become increasingly aware of the drinking-related cultural differences between the U.S. and the U.K. It’s not so much that drinkers over here are “worse” or that more British people suffer from alcohol use disorder and addiction. It’s more that the attitude and societal view of drinking are different. I don’t think it’d be unfair to say it’s pretty toxic over here. The U.S. seems to have a bit more awareness about the harmful impacts of drinking alcohol, or they are at least less guilty of normalizing harmful drinking, so there appears to be more…

Over eighteen months ago, my business partner, Susie Streelman, founder of Zeroproof Experiences (ZPE), told me she had decided to arrange an alcohol-free trip to Bali. I thought, “Oh, that’s nice,” deciding then and there that this would be one event I would most definitely pass on. After all, as the Chief Connections Officer for ZPE, I was fully immersed in the events we had already hosted and planned to host all over the US, but traveling to a country more than halfway around the world had no appeal to me whatsoever. This was a place way outside of my…

Our UK Sober Curator, Eve Michell, was invited to watch a preview of Shower Chair. Written and performed by Ben Fallaci, the solo performance orbits around the eponymous shower chair set in the middle of the stage, a device the audience later learns is necessary as the narrator has a broken ankle. Here’s what Eve thought… Ben Fallaci’s one-man comedy show, Shower Chair, presents a bold, vulnerable, and frequently hilarious exploration of a life shaped by the unique milieu of Cape Cod – and the people who party there. This autobiographical performance bravely enacts the trials of growing up as…

The Sober Curator stays up late to bring you this Mindful Binge of Season 3 of The Bear

I could talk for hours about this, I thought to myself. I am surprised more people in recovery or seeking sobriety don’t seem to have a lot of knowledge about what to expect throughout the phases of their recovery. But then again, until I was going through it, I didn’t care much to know either. At about two years sober, when I found myself still experiencing mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and periods of anhedonia, I hit the books. Why was everyone else on a “pink cloud,” and I was in a rainstorm? I needed to understand. That’s about when I…

Did you know that roughly 20% of college students meet the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder (AUD)? That’s about one in five students who could be struggling with serious drinking issues. Also, about 60% of college students aged 18 to 22 admitted to drinking. Of those drinkers, nearly two out of every three engaged in binge drinking. What’s also astounding is that the average age at which young people (aged 12-20) first try alcohol is about 13.9 years. It’s a topic that often stays under the radar and rarely makes headlines, but ignoring it doesn’t diminish the urgency to address…

Summer can be a real test, especially when you’re trying to stay cool without reaching for a drink. But hey, there’s no need to sweat it! We’ve got some great tips to keep you chilled out right from the comfort of your own home. Think DIY mocktail, a refreshing dip in the pool, or even just kicking back with a good book in the shade. Here’s how to make this summer a blast—without the booze! Beat the Heat with Cool Eats Summer is the perfect time to switch up your eating habits with lighter, cooler meals. Instead of hot dishes,…

Do you desire MORE now that you have been sober for longer? Alysse got sober before all the “sober luxuries” that are available now just weren’t available. She was still very young, and her social and professional life revolved around drinks. Thankfully, immediately, she enjoyed some of the benefits of not drinking. However, she still made many of the same bad decisions in dating and managing life. After a few years of not drinking, she knew she didn’t want to go back to substances, but the depression she was experiencing set in deeply. She experienced a sober bottom of around…

I remember the first time I came across Kristi Coulter’s essay, “Enjoli,” the second essay in her book, “Nothing Good Can Come From This.” It took me right back to when the Enjoli commercial debuted on television. I was only thirteen then, and I couldn’t help but dream of becoming a version of the twenty-four-hour woman portrayed in the ad – flashy, skilled in the kitchen, and oozing with sex appeal. I’d watch the commercial, then unfairly compare the glamorous model to my mother, who took us to the grocery store in curlers.  I figured out quickly which woman I…

Sarah Michaud’s *Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction* is a compelling blend of memoir and self-help that invites readers into the profoundly personal journey of a psychologist grappling with her struggles with codependency and addiction. Through a quick-witted and relatable narrative, Dr. Sarah Michaud shares her story and provides readers with the tools to embark on their paths of self-discovery and healing. Michaud’s writing is strong because she balances vulnerability with professional insight. As she recounts her experiences, readers are given a raw and unfiltered look into the life of someone who has faced significant challenges yet emerged…

I never heard of Grayson Murray until a few days ago. I’m not a golfer. The last time I picked up a golf club heavier than a putter was in the eighth grade. I took a five iron and chunked a divot from the Urban Middle School gym floor. Grayson Murray was a two-time PGA Tour winner. According to social media, he had just gotten his card back shortly after he became sober, on May 1st, 2023. So, he had just about a year in. But one thing we do have in common, besides our alcoholism, is that we are…

First things first, let me tell you about this book: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl is a transformative book that offers insights into the human experience and the search for purpose and meaning in life. This book is always on the MUST-READ lists of all the self-help gurus and book recommendation accounts I follow on various social media platforms, so of course, I had to read it. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, explores his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and how he managed to find meaning and purpose even in the most dehumanizing circumstances. He argues…