I see you

That struggle hiding beneath

A look so familiar

seeking relief

The desperation, I hear

inside your voice

“I don’t want to drink again”

Like it’s a choice

Your head is pounding,

your hands, they shake

But for it to stop,

you know what it takes.

A splash in your coffee

To get through the morning

By evening, you’re unsteady,

With speech slurring .

Happening daily

Almost, every time,

In depths of denial

You say “I’m fine”

The daily Necessity

The thought, it consumes

The fermented breath

The odor, it looms

The secrets and lies

You try to keep in

They start to unravel

The facade wears thin

You stop for a while

And think “ I’m okay”

But before you know it

You’re drinking all day

You stops for days

weeks, or more

But that glass bottle grip

Is hard to ignore

By the time night comes

You lie awake

With pain in your chest

Re-living mistakes

You tell yourself

“I’ll be better tomorrow”

All empty promises

You don’t want to borrow

You’ve got to a place

Where you have to accept

You can’t have just one

You’ve got nothing left

You can no longer hide

Or do this alone

You let someone in

And pick up the phone

That’s where it lifts

The shame and the guilt

The fortress of solitude

you’ve steadily built

Those walls, one by one

Start breaking down

Revealing the person

You slowly let drown

It’s then that you see

What you’ve buried within

Like you’ve just woken up

And the healing begins

Your desire to live

And learn who you are

Reveals all your dream

You let stray afar

The light have turned on

Like you’ve come back home

Back to yourself

And you’re not alone

Just like a family

One that you choose

Who fight the same battle

Who’ve walked in your shoes

A safe haven given

Without any strings

The love and belonging,

You’re grateful it brings

Like a breath of fresh air

Unknown that you needed

Until you were lost,

Feeling hopeless, defeated

They say “Drink responsibly”

Like you’re the problem

Not a toxic substance ,

Without a bottom

It’s then that you realize

It was never just you

The truth about alcohol

And the life it consumes

By Contributor: S. Cook

SOBER POETRY: This is a space where recovery and creativity meet. It features heartfelt verses that capture the emotions of sobriety. Written by various Sober Curator Contributors and readers about their recovery journeys, these poems provide inspiration, healing, and reflection for readers seeking solace and connection.

Do you have a sober poem you’d love to submit? ✏️ Submit Your Story to Speak Out! Speak Loud! Reader-written essays and opinion pieces. We publish sharp, specific, witty writing about modern sobriety. Submit your story →

Sober Say What?

GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION + RECOVERY TERMS: Welcome to The Sober Curator’s ultimate guide to the language of sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living—where words hold power, knowledge, and the keys to a vibrant, substance-free life. This comprehensive glossary shines a light on essential terms that offer wisdom, clarity, and connection for anyone navigating recovery.

From the first spark of curiosity to the joyful celebration of milestones, our glossary helps demystify the terminology of sobriety and recovery. Each definition is designed to empower, educate, and support you on your journey toward wellness, self-discovery, and lasting freedom.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources. If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, call 988.