“Alcohol is liquid dessert.” The line lands with a thud of recognition — half confession, half revelation. On this week’s episode of The Sober Curator Podcast, the crew (Alysse, T-Boog, Megan Swan and Amy Liz Harrison) scoop into the complicated relationship between sugar and sobriety, and it tastes… familiar.
Why “Liquid Dessert” Makes Sense
Early recovery has a way of rearranging cravings. You swear off wine and suddenly you’re courting cake. Alysse calls it the “ice cream era,” that stretch when a pint becomes an emotional support item and church-basement trail mix is both a sacred offering and a hazard (inspect for cat hair, just saying). Megan puts language to it: alcohol — sweetened or not — often acts like a sugar delivery system. Remove it and the body asks, “Where’s the glucose we agreed on?”
Which is how a lot of us find ourselves at a gala, under twinkle lights, scanning for relief. Amy tells the story of staying sober through a fancy waterfront event by choosing cake — three slices, to be precise. “It actually really helped me that night,” she says. No moralizing here; the win is the win. The brain got something sweet, the glass stayed empty and Amy left with her sobriety intact.
If you’re nodding, you’re not alone. Many people report a sudden sweet tooth in early sobriety. It’s chemistry, sure; it’s also culture. Sugar is our ritual language: birthdays, holidays, consolation prizes, breakups, makeups — sprinkles on the highs and lows. The ice cream truck, that wheezy song of summer, still makes adults want to sprint. Nostalgia has muscle memory.
The crew trades favorites like confessions. Tamar: Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough, equal parts cookie-dough joy and chocolate-cookie swirl. Amy: the cult of Baskin-Robbins Daiquiri Ice — limey, tart and borderline obsession. Megan: Moose Tracks, because peanuts, chocolate and caramel are basically a committee meeting that should’ve been an email. Alysse? Vanilla soft-serve, quiet luxury in a cone. It’s the variety for me; recovery rarely looks identical from freezer to freezer.
Joy on Purpose (Without the Pint)
Of course, there’s the “then what?” After the early weeks (or months) of grace, many of us realize we swapped a nightly wine ritual for nightly spoon aerobics. That’s when small, non-dramatic adjustments do the most good. Tamar found that going out for ice cream worked better than bringing it home — a built-in portion control that preserved the ritual without inventing a new compulsion. Sharing dessert — once unthinkable — became possible some nights and unnecessary on others. The point isn’t purity; it’s presence.
There’s also a case for choosing joy on purpose. Cones at home. Waffle cones you can smell as they’re pressed. A silly sundae with someone you like. The crew’s “Sober Scoop” Instagram Lives during the pandemic captured that spirit: no booze, lots of laughter, flavors as conversation starters. Connection is the point. Sugar is the prop.
If “liquid dessert” helped you survive parties, replacing the ritual matters. Keep texture and temperature in the mix — sparkling waters with citrus and salt, crunchy snacks, herbal tea with honey. Build a sweet plan for the days you’re wobbly. Decide what feels like relief and what feels like regret before you’re in pajamas with a pint.
Choose Connection Over Compulsion
Mostly, remember that recovery isn’t scored on nutritional perfection. It’s a relationship with yourself that deepens over time. Some nights, the win is splitting a brownie. Other nights, it’s ordering your own and not apologizing. Occasionally it’s choosing cake at a gala instead of a glass — and leaving with your dignity, your humor and your keys.
Which brings us back to that line. “Alcohol is liquid dessert.” It explains a lot without excusing everything. It invites us to get curious about what we’re actually hungry for: sweetness, comfort, nostalgia, connection. Ice cream can be a doorway to all four — especially if you’re listening to yourself while you lick the spoon.
When you’re ready, press play on the full conversation. We’ll be the ones debating push pops, laughing at froyo-era toppings and reminding you that sober doesn’t mean silent — or flavorless.
Getting sober is one thing—but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins.
This show is for you if you’ve ever wondered:
– Where can I find inspiring sober podcasts, apps, and creators?
– How do I give back or stay plugged into the sober community
– What are the best sober-friendly drinks and travel tips?
– Where do I find the good NA drinks that don’t taste like regret?
The Sober Curator is your go-to for sober pop culture, booze-free travel, apps, creators, and community.
We’re not here to help you get sober.
We’re here to help you live sober—and love it.
In this gripping episode, Alysse sits down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty for a powerful conversation about the business behind addiction recovery — and why too many families are left carrying shame, confusion, and financial devastation while trying to save their loved ones. Benjamin’s documentary exposes the economics, ethics, and emotional fallout inside the modern treatment industry, while also honoring the parents, advocates, and survivors who continue fighting for change.
From medically assisted treatment debates to the insurance inequalities that shape who gets quality care, this episode goes deeper than most sober conversations dare to go. It’s raw, urgent, and grounded in truth — the kind of discussion that can only happen in a space built for honesty.
Takeaways:
Families aren’t alone. Many parents attend screenings thinking their child’s exploitation or treatment experience was “their fault” — Benjamin’s film shows the systemic patterns behind the pain.
Recovery has an economic engine. Benjamin describes the shocking moment he realized how profitability shapes care, access, and outcomes in the treatment world.
Insurance determines who gets humane care. Both Benjamin and Alysse reflect on how “good insurance” gave them safe recovery environments — an advantage many don’t have.
Pop culture shapes our understanding. Films like Dopesick, Painkiller, Pain Hustlers, Body Brokers help raise awareness but flatten nuance; documentaries add back the complexity.
Conversations spark courage. When parents meet each other at screenings, shame lifts and the real healing begins.
Key Timestamps:
00:06:40 — Benjamin’s turning point: quitting alcohol & cocaine in high-pressure advertising
00:07:45 — The myth of “the next milestone” that will magically fix everything
00:08:20 — Why treatment is the only major health process most people don’t understand
00:26:26 — Parents finding relief and validation through the film
00:27:00 — The economics of recovery: what families aren’t told
00:28:00 — Alysse shares her own insurance-based experience and privilege in treatment access
00:28:20 — Pop culture portrayals of recovery & exploitation (Body Brokers, Painkiller, Dopesick)
00:41:56 — The media Benjamin loves — and what representations resonate most
Resources & Links:
Website / Film https://www.stoptheshuffle.com/
Instagram: @benjaminflaherty
YouTube Trailer: OFFICIAL TRAILER | SHUFFLE
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
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About:
Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK at The Sober Curator is your audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. We’re your bee-zy sober podcast enthusiasts, curating the best shows that educate, inspire, and entertain in the alcohol-free space.
Our archives are neatly organized so you can easily explore Recovery Podcastland—featuring our favorite recovery-based podcasts from across the globe—and the TSC Podcast Network, where we share our own original shows on sober lifestyle, pop culture, travel, entertainment, and more.
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A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
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