You asked for more puzzles. We delivered.
Welcome to Sober Search, the newest addition to The Sober Curator’s puzzle lineup. If you’ve been playing Clued In (our monthly crossword), you already know we take sober brain workouts seriously. Now we’re giving you another one.
Same energy. Different format. Zero proof required.
What Is Sober Search?
It’s a word search. But make it sober.
Every month we hide 19 words inside a 15×15 grid. Your job is to find them. Words go in every direction: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards, backwards. Some are hiding in plain sight. Others will make you stare at the grid for an embarrassingly long time. We don’t judge.
This Month’s Theme: Happy Every Hour
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which means the timing couldn’t be better for a puzzle dedicated entirely to NA beverages. We packed this grid with the brands, tools, and terms that make zero-proof living taste incredible.
You’ll be hunting for NA brewery names you should know by now, cocktail tools that belong in every sober bar cart, and a few TSC-specific terms that prove you’ve been paying attention.
Think you know your NA beverage game? Prove it.
How to Play
Online: Play Sober Search right here → Click and drag across letters to select a word. Works on desktop and mobile. Found words light up in blue and cross off your list. There’s even a hint button if you get stuck (no shame).
Prefer Pen and Paper?
Prefer analog? Same. Download the printable PDF below, grab a pen, and circle to your heart’s content.
DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE PUZZLE →
Need the Answer Key?
This is where things get interesting. Starting this month, answer keys for both Sober Search and Clued In live exclusively inside BACKSTAGE, our private cultural membership.
BACKSTAGE members get instant access to every answer key, plus a whole lot more. Not a member yet? Join BACKSTAGE →
Or, you know, just keep staring at the grid. We believe in you.
The Sober Curator Puzzle Pack
Sober Search joins Clued In as part of our growing monthly Puzzle Pack. Two puzzles. One theme. Dropped the first of every month.
This month, both puzzles are all about NA beverages from our HAPPY EVERY HOUR channel, so if you haven’t played the April crossword yet, go do that too. Your sober brain deserves the double workout.
PLAY THIS MONTH’S CLUED IN CROSSWORD →
A new Sober Search drops the first of every month. Subscribe to The Sober Sip so you never miss one.
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
CLUED-IN: The Sober Curator’s Monthly Crossword Puzzle
Welcome to The Sober Curator’s ultimate hub for SOBER ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS —a vibrant space where living alcohol-free is anything but boring.
In the TSC Library, explore book reviews across three standout genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and even NA Recipe Book reviews.
On-screen? The Mindful Binge TV series reviews, Movie Night movie reviews, and Recovery Podcastland + Network podcast roundups all use our signature Sobees Scoring System, so you know exactly what’s worth your time.
More ways to get inspired:
- Music: Discover tunes to motivate your sober lifestyle
- Sober Sports: Stay in the loop on active, exciting events
- Sober Events: Find alcohol-free happenings in your community
- Sober Pop Culture & Celebrities: Get the latest buzz on sober stars and trends
From binge-worthy shows to can’t-miss events, this is your go-to destination for entertainment that fits your alcohol-free life.
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.
Follow The Sober Curator on Facebook
What is Sober Search?
Sober Search is The Sober Curator’s monthly word search puzzle. Every month, we hide 19 words inside a 15×15 grid tied to a different theme in sober culture. NA beverages, recovery terms, sober celebrities, wellness, travel, you name it. It’s part of our growing Puzzle Pack alongside Clued In, our monthly crossword.
How do I play online?
Click and drag across the letters to select a word. You can drag in any direction: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards, and backwards. Here’s the rundown:
- Click and drag across letters to highlight a word
- Found words light up in blue and cross off the word list
- NEED A HINT? Click to expand the hints panel for clues on every hidden word
- REVEAL ALL shows where every word is hiding (no judgment)
- RESET clears your progress so you can start over
- Works on desktop and mobile (touch and drag on your phone)
Can I print it?
Absolutely. Every issue comes with a free downloadable PDF designed specifically for printing. White background, clear grid lines, plenty of room to circle words with a pen or pencil. Click the download button on the puzzle page.
What directions can words go?
All of them. Horizontal (left to right AND right to left), vertical (top to bottom AND bottom to top), and diagonal (all four diagonal directions). Some words are hiding in obvious spots. Others are backwards and diagonal just to keep you honest.
Where is the answer key?
The answer key for Sober Search is available exclusively inside BACKSTAGE, The Sober Curator’s private cultural membership. BACKSTAGE members get instant access to answer keys for both Sober Search and Clued In, plus a whole lot more. [Join BACKSTAGE →]
Is Sober Search free?
The puzzle is always free. Play it online, download the PDF, share it with friends. The only thing behind the BACKSTAGE membership is the answer key. We want everyone to play. We just want to reward the people who stick around.
How is Sober Search different from Clued In?
Clued In is our monthly crossword puzzle where you solve clues to fill in answers. Sober Search is a word search where you find hidden words in a grid. Same monthly theme, different format, different kind of brain workout. Together, they make up The Sober Curator Puzzle Pack.
How often does a new puzzle come out?
Once a month, on the first of the month. Every issue has a different theme tied to our content pillars and cultural moments. Subscribe to The Sober Sip newsletter so you never miss a drop.
What’s this month’s theme?
April’s theme is “Happy Every Hour,” our NA beverage pillar. The grid is loaded with NA brewery names, zero-proof cocktail terms, barware, and a few TSC-specific terms. It drops during Alcohol Awareness Month, which felt right.
I found all 19 words. Now what?
First of all, respect. Second, screenshot your completed puzzle and tag us @thesobercurator on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, or X. We love seeing it. Third, go play this month’s Clued In crossword if you haven’t already. Your sober brain clearly has bandwidth to spare.
Can I use Sober Search at a sober event or meeting?
Yes, and we love that idea. Download the printable PDF and bring copies. It’s a great icebreaker for sober events, recovery meetings, retreats, or any gathering where people could use a fun, low-pressure activity. If you’re hosting an event and want a custom puzzle, email thesobercurator@gmail.com.
I have an idea for a theme or hidden word.
Send it our way. Email thesobercurator@gmail.com with “SOBER SEARCH” in the subject line. Tell us the word, why it matters, and what theme it fits. If we use it, we’ll give you a shoutout.
Something isn’t working / I found a bug.
Let us know. Email thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us @thesobercurator on Instagram. We want this to work perfectly on every device.
Will there be an archive of past puzzles?
Yes. As we build the series, past issues will be archived so you can go back and play ones you missed. Between Sober Search and Clued In, we’re building a whole library of sober brain workouts.
