“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.
It’s been 30 years since Trainspotting splashed into our lives with all the grit, grime, dark humor, and cultural punch that made it an instant classic. In this episode, Alysse, Tamar, and Sober Curator contributor Tony Harte take a wild, witty, and brutally honest deep dive into the most iconic addiction film ever made. From the infamous baby scene to the “Choose Life” manifesto to the worst toilet in Scotland, we unpack why Trainspotting still hits differently—especially when you watch it sober. Buckle up: this is pop culture autopsy meets sober storytelling at its finest.
Takeaways:
Trainspotting remains one of the most accurate depictions of addiction—messy, funny, tragic, and painfully human.
Irvine Welsh’s books are even darker than the film (yes, it’s possible).
Renton’s detox sequence is still one of the most iconic portrayals of withdrawal on screen.
The film’s religious symbolism is subtle but rich—from “Mother Superior” to the baptism-like toilet dive.
The soundtrack (Iggy Pop! Lou Reed! Underworld!) is a cultural time capsule of 90s grit and rebellion.
Key Timestamps:
[00:02:00] — Meet Tony Harte and his legendary Trainspotting bucket hat
[00:03:00] — Why no one watches Trainspotting sober and feels nothing
[00:07:00] — Ewan McGregor on-set: very much not sober
[00:14:00] — The brutal reality of Tommy’s storyline
[00:17:00] — The baby scene: the rawest depiction of addiction’s cost
[00:23:00] — Fun fact: Trainspotting won Seattle’s Golden Space Needle Award
[00:28:00] — Hidden religious symbolism throughout the film
Resources & Links:
Tony Harte — Sober Curator Contributor & Stoic Sobriety writer
Trainspotting book review on The Sober Curator (by Tony)
–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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