“Recovery isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold — it’s about finding what sets you free.”
In Episode 6 of “You’ve Been Selected,” I break down my personal recovery framework — one that’s built on experience, humor and the hard-won lessons of sobriety. I call it the Faucets of Freedom, and it’s not some secret cure or magic trick. There’s no shortcut to sobriety — just a willingness to show up and do the work. WHAC is simply an acronym I put together to highlight key components that have helped me along the way.
At its core, WHAC stands for Willingness, Honesty, Humility, Humor, Abstinence and Consistency — the faucets I turn on every day to keep recovery flowing. These aren’t rigid rules; they’re practices. Some days, I get it right. Other days, I don’t. But by focusing on these principles, I’ve built a life in sobriety that feels sustainable, empowering and yes — even fun.
Breaking Down the WHAC Framework
🔹 Willingness – You don’t have to know all the answers, but you have to be open. Open to trying. Open to failing. Open to getting back up again.
🔹 Honesty (The Triple Threat: Honesty, Humility, Humor) – It’s not just about telling the truth. It’s about seeing yourself clearly. Honesty means facing reality, even when it’s uncomfortable. Humility means knowing you don’t have all the answers. And humor? Well, without that, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Recovery is messy and absurd, and if we can’t laugh at ourselves, we’re missing out on a powerful survival tool.
🔹 Abstinence – Whatever that looks like for you, it’s about removing the things that keep you stuck in the cycle. For me, that meant alcohol, but it also meant letting go of toxic patterns and beliefs.
🔹 Consistency – You don’t recover in a day. Small, repeated actions — showing up, doing the work, leaning on support — create real change.
Why WHAC Works (When You Work It)
This framework isn’t about perfection — it’s about practice. Some days, I suck at honesty. Other days, my willingness is shot. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to check these off a list and call it a day — it’s to return to them, over and over again, as guides.
If you’re looking for a recovery approach that’s real, practical and maybe even a little funny, Episode 6 is for you.
🎧 Listen to Episode 6 Now:
YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED: Sober Curator Contributor Kate Vitela has been an RN in Pacific Northwest for over two decades and sober since 2018. You’ve Been Selected is a column that describes her journey through coaching, addiction, eating disorders, and what is now known as Drunkorexia.
WALK YOUR TALK: This must-read section is a haven for sober fashionistas, delivering original content from our fabulous Sober Curators – Kate Vitela and Alexandra Nyman. Living a sober life doesn’t need to be dull, and we’re here to smash the stigma surrounding addiction by showcasing that life can indeed be lived to the fullest without alcohol and in fabulous outfits. If you were anything like us in your drinking years, getting dressed to party and the pre-funk that went with that was usually part of the plan. After putting down the bottle(s), we’re even more excited about getting ready for life, and you should be too!
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK: Tune in and let your ears experience the audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. Buzz into the sobriety soundscape at The Sober Curator. Here, we delve into the world of our favorite sober and recovery-based podcasts. Picture us as your bee-zy, sober podcast enthusiasts or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free audio oasis. Our digital archives are neatly categorized into TSC Recovery Podcastland & Network.
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.
