Sobriety is quickly becoming the new social trend, as many people choose to avoid alcohol and other substances. More and more individuals recognize the benefits of leading a sober life. This includes improved physical health, mental clarity, and enhanced productivity. The decision to choose sobriety can be difficult for some. Yet, taking that leap of faith can also open up an entire world of possibilities. Whether seeking a break from drinking for a short time or looking at living sober for the rest of your life, you are part of an ever-growing movement that values clear-mindedness and self-care over substance use.
If you know me, it’s no secret that I’ve been obsessed with magazines for as long as I can remember. When I first got sober, I was told that if I stayed the course, my life would unfold in ways I couldn’t imagine. That promise came true within my first year of recovery when I accepted an Account Executive sales position at a big lifestyle magazine in Seattle. As a teenager, I wallpapered my bedroom walls in full-page ads and magazine editorials like Vogue and Vanity Fair. (Yes, there was probably a bit of Cosmopolitan and Tiger Beat mixed in there too.) Years later, into recovery, I would end up as the Publisher of that magazine, a dream that drunk Alysse would have never thought was possible.
Back in the day
When I got sober in 2006, social media was coming online, and recovering out loud was not how we see it today. I’ve had a front-row seat of the sobriety runway show as thousands upon thousands of people started recovering out louds on social media, podcasts, and even mainstream media. Prior to 2010, if you saw a celebrity in this space, the headlines were usually focused on their addiction and public mental breakdowns. Example: In February 2007, Britney Spears famously shaved her head in a Los Angeles salon. The incident sparked widespread media coverage and speculation about the singer’s mental health.
So, it’s refreshing to see the turn of the tides with so many celebrities recovering out loud. I love seeing the focus turning to proactively talking about mental health and substance abuse in a way that has started chipping off the big block of the stigma that has surrounded these headlines for so many decades. It is commonly said in recovery circles that the opposite of addiction is connection. With more thoughtful interviews, like the one below with Cara Delevingne, I believe that more people needing help will start seeking it sooner. While my recovery was perfectly timed and a divine intervention, I often think those early years might have been a bit easier if the content available today in 2023 was readily available back then.
Cara Delevingne Opens Up About Sobriety & Healing | Vogue
Curated list of Vogue articles on sobriety
- 2022 – Vogue US “Has Everyone Stopped Drinking?”
- 2022 – Vogue US “9 Hard-Earned Lessons From 365 Days of Sobriety”
- 2021 – Vogue US “It’s Hard to Stay Sober in a Pandemic”
- 2019 – Vogue India’s “31 Days of Self-Care” feature included an article encouraging a sober lifestyle
- 2018 – Vogue Russia interviewed model Daria Charusha about her journey to sobriety
- 2017 – Vogue Japan spotlighted artist Takashi Murakami’s sobriety in the “Identity and Future” issue
- 2016 – Vogue UK published an article on why ‘Sober is the New Sexy’
- 2015 – Vogue China separated fact from fiction in their article “Sober Life: What We Should Know About It”
WALK YOUR TALK: Sober Fashionista Kate Vitela celebrates fashion and the role it plays in our recovery. Getting ready for life can be just as fun if not more fun, now that we’re sober…because drunk never looks good.
Living a sober lifestyle? Us too! Our goal is to help smash the stigma surrounding addiction, showing that sober is not boring, by providing positive content on living life to the fullest. The lifestyle section is a catch-all for all things sober living.
#ADDTOCART features unique sobriety gifts, swag, products, and miscellaneous merch we adore. Plus, we love discovering and featuring small businesses founded by people in recovery.
SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
Resources Are Available
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.
