SoberStack™
An annotated directory of Substack newsletters focused on addiction recovery and sobriety, featuring writers from diverse paths of recovery
Updated 27 May 2025: Explore 168 Substack newsletters focused on addiction recovery and sobriety below.
Welcome!
This annotated directory of Sober Substack—or SoberStack™, if you will—highlights publications dedicated to addiction recovery and sobriety. It turns out there are many of us! The list below is updated regularly and continues to grow.
My hope is that anyone landing on SoberStack™ will “see themselves” reflected here—discovering voices that resonate, feeling less alone, and expanding their sense of what’s possible.
A Beautiful, Diverse Community
Below, you’ll find writers with varying lengths of sobriety—ranging from newly sober to decades of continuous sobriety and everything in between.
We also represent a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, beliefs, recovery paths, sober-specific challenges, and areas of focus, including:
Non-AA recovery
AA-specific recovery
Spiritual, soulful, and faith-based paths of recovery
Agnostic and secular recovery
Early sobriety and recovery
Long-term sobriety and recovery
Writing and creativity in sobriety
Dating, sex, relationships, and breakups in sobriety
Sobriety as a gay, queer, trans, and/or non-binary person
Sobriety as a neurodivergent person
Being sober in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond
Sobriety in the Midwest
Sobriety in the Deep South
Sobriety on an isolated Scottish island
Sober parenting from the perspective of moms and dads
Navigating mental health challenges while sober
Addiction recovery in a wider sense than just alcohol and other drugs
And so much more!
I included publications that:
Are written by people who consider themselves in recovery or recovering. (This isn’t a directory of writers discussing how to navigate other people’s addictions and recovery—even if those individuals are loved ones.)
Focus on addiction recovery and sobriety as a clearly defined niche. (There’s some wiggle room if a writer is sober and primarily focuses on a different niche but frequently discusses sobriety in their work.)
Have at least five published posts, are active on the platform, or, if on a publishing break, have a robust archive. Additionally, they must have a completed About page, making it clear what the publication is about.
Do not revolve around promoting an addiction treatment center, program, or other professional services. (While many included have regular calls to action, they don’t read like one big sales pitch.)
Do not present their perspective on recovery as the only valid option or demonize other paths or groups of people.
Do not promote or discuss drinking alcohol as a deliberate, intentional part of recovery. (I recognize this is controversial. I fully support harm reduction and respect each person’s path of recovery. However, there are plenty of spaces for those who drink and discuss alcohol, including mindful drinking communities. I’ve made this decision to support my own recovery and that of other sober people in this community. If you consider yourself “sober-ish” or a “mindful drinker,” you’re absolutely welcome here. The same applies if you’re not sober at all—I just won’t include your newsletter in this directory.)
Do not appear to be primarily AI-generated.
Important note: I’m not endorsing the content of the publications listed below simply by including them. Even when I subscribe, endorse, and head-over-heels adore a publication, I rarely agree with everything the author posts. I don’t expect my subscribers to agree with everything I post either!
It’s fine to disagree and natural to have differing opinions, beliefs, and understandings. The recovery space is vast and, like all spaces, comes with diversity and debates aplenty. I encourage you to explore and find what resonates with you.
If your publication is listed below and I did not accurately convey its essence or made any errors, please accept my apologies and email me so I can make amends: hello@danaleighlyons.com. Also, please let me know if anything has changed and needs updating.
If you consider yourself in addiction recovery and your publication focuses on this niche, please share it in the comments. Also, feel free to shout out anyone I may have missed or (kindly) review those included.
I update this directory regularly and keep it in the navigation bar so that folks can find it with ease.
With that, welcome to SoberStack™! It’s a fantastic starting point for anyone who’s sober curious, newly sober, sober for decades, or anywhere in between.
Thank you, from my heart to yours,
Dana
78 Sponsors: Margaret Estelle is a perimenopausal librarian, aspiring addiction counselor, and professional tarot reader exploring Tarot as an intervention tool. Join her free newsletter and community to receive chapters from her book-in-progress and engage in a mix of open-ended and themed conversations about recovery through the lens of Tarot.
AAFathers: Roscoe created AFF to “help dads overcome their addictions, prosper in recovery, and become better fathers.” Through raw, honest essays, he empowers dads “to get sober and stay sober while building a strong, healthy, and fulfilling life in recovery.” Sober parents are giving their kids a tremendous gift, and I love knowing there are people like Roscoe supporting them.
Aaron Emerson Recovery Newsletter: Aaron Emerson is sober himself and works as the intake coordinator for a sober living program. Arron’s Substack features articles on his own recovery, stories from other people in recovery, and trends and recovery resources in Michigan.
A Phoenix’s Hut: Hōan Taishin Michael Augustin is a Soto Zen Buddhist Priest in the Phoenix Cloud lineage of Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi and resident of O-An Zendo, a small Soto Zen Buddhist temple in central Pennsylvania. He shares personal reflections on Buddhist teachings and recent Dharma talks, along with his “ever-changing story as a Zen Priest in recovery.” Head over for the heart-touching cat pics; stay for his wise explorations of how we can recover through Buddhist teachings.
Aging, Sober & Still Smiling: Deb Palmer and her husband Sandy found freedom from alcohol and found their passion and profession in antique sales. They also co-wrote In Spite Of Us: A Love Story about Second Chances. A freelance writer, Deb has published fiction and non-fiction articles in numerous print magazines and online journals. On Substack, she writes about her love of God, her dog Cooper, aging, sobriety, and stories from the past and present—often with a side of humor.
Alcohol and the Mind-Body Connection: Gillian May is a “former mental health nurse and recovering alcoholic” living in a small fishing village along the Pacific coast of Mexico. In her words: “I got sober in 2016 with the help of psychedelic plant medicines and other non-traditional healing modalities. Even though my background is in mental health nursing, I found little healing there during my own dark moments.” Gillian shares stories from her personal journey and her journey in supporting her father through his death from alcohol-induced cirrhosis. Her Substack spotlights how alcohol affects our health and mental health while also addressing how trauma and mental illness can fuel alcohol use disorder.
Alcoholics Anonymous + Internal Family Systems: In Bill’s words: “Internal Family Systems parts work led me to understand and admit that I was powerless over alcohol and to start the adventure of recovery. With the leadership of my Innermost Self, my parts agreed to start Alcoholics Anonymous. I’ve found parts work to be vital to my 12 step work.” His Substack combines IFS and the Big Book, in effect “re-mixing” the Big Book according to the principles of IFS.
A Little Fantastic Sober Life: Ellie Nova is a mother, writer, sober mentor, and soon-to-be sober coach based in Lewes, East Sussex. In Ellie’s words: “Here you’ll find my reflections on living an alcohol-free life, how I continue to build a loving relationship with myself and be there for myself through all the ups and downs of being a human being.” Her essays overflow with heart-sourced honesty, tenderness, and care.
Anti Hangover Drinking Club: Sam is the founder of Third Place Bar, a series of alcohol-free pop-up events in New York City. Along with sharing upcoming Third Place Bar events, her newsletter covers other alcohol-free events, activities, and “third spaces” in the city. Sam also writes about alcohol-free beverages and sobriety more generally.
Ask A Sober Person: Samantha Perkins is a best selling author, TEDx speaker, and mental health/sober living advocate. Her newsletter offers “tips, thoughts, ideas, complaints, and validation” from a middle-aged mom living alcohol free. To quote Samantha’s essay on how to tell if you have a drinking problem: “It wasn’t until I stopped that I realized how caught up I was in using alcohol to enhance my life. Again, scientifically, it does not do this. Sure, a buzz feels good at first, but alcohol dims your senses and disrupts almost every single bodily function. If we heard our friend who uses cocaine say ‘but nothing will be fun without it?’ We would say to them… you have a problem. Drinking is no different.”
Ask Anonymous: Author Jamey M. explores the AA program of recovery through the lens of personal reflections and examples. I find Jamey’s discussion of AA as pertains to daily life and practice a reminder that many of us are having kindred experiences—even if we lean into different programs, texts, and frameworks.
Ask a Sober Lady: Katie MacBride is a health and medicine journalist who took her last drink in 2008. Ask a Sober Lady is her substance use and recovery advice column. In Katie’s words: “There is no one ‘right’ way to seek recovery, but everyone needs help sometimes; this column is my attempt to support anyone who needs it.”
Astral Projections: S.J. Perkins shares essays at the intersection of recovery, spirituality, and culture—both as a practice of self-accountability, growth, and catharsis and as a channel for reaching, inspiring, and expanding others. A published science writer and researcher, S.J. is now venturing into trauma science, spirituality, psychology, and metaphysics. In their words: “I have long treated myself as a research project, diligently collecting data, formulating hypotheses and undergoing tests, both internally and externally. It is a striking challenge to remain objective when performing such analyses, but it is, in my opinion, possible and potentially necessary for the advancement of knowledge in subjects like consciousness and mental health.”
Astrology, Alchemy, & Honest Recovery: In the space of about a year, Maria Luz O’Rourke got sober, left her corporate career of 29 years, and began a healing practice using the tools which most helped her: astrology, hypnosis, and psychic mediumship. In addition to sharing these tools with readers, she offers a series called “My Alcohol Story,” in which she shares journal entries from her first year of sobriety.
Back From the Dead: Sober since 2013, Tabitha Vidaurri is a health and wellness copywriter with a background in standup and sketch comedy and penchant for horror movies. Back From the Dead “is for folks who want to take their mental health seriously, and at the same time, not take life too seriously.” It wins massive originality points for combining “practical advice on navigating life in recovery,” “thoughtful insights into the horror genre,” “really good, really specific mixtapes,” and “essays on getting your shit together after quitting drinking.”
Becoming Unstuck: Leeroy Stagger is a singer-songwriter, record producer, trail runner, painter, maker, husband, father, and Buddhist in long-term recovery. In his words: “AA got me sober but Art and Spirituality saved my life… I have always felt some sort of higher power connecting through me when I let myself fully feel. And art is usually, almost always my conduit to those feelings.” Along with essays, Leeroy shares music, conversations, photos of his life in Canada, and heart-sourced blessings for peace and healing.
Bex Weller: Bex Weller writes about “love, life, and the strength and potential of the human spirit. Her books have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, and her work has been featured by the Sunday Times Magazine, Telstra Business Awards, Fast Company, Sydney Morning Herald, Huffington Post, The Australian, MindBodyGreen, Better Homes & Gardens USA, SBS Food, Good Health Magazine, Marie Claire Australia, and Elle Quebec.” Bex also shares about choosing to reenter the corporate world after a decade of running her own business: Sexy Sobriety.
Beyond the Basics: Embracing the Fellowship of the Spirit: Terry invites readers to join in for conversation centered around The Big Book. At Beyond the Basics, the focus is on diving deep into matters of mind and spirit, seeking “to unravel the patterns that have kept us trapped and discover a life filled with purpose, joy, and meaningful connections.”
Beyond Liquid Courage: Tawny Lara is the author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze, co-author of The Sobriety Deck, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the vinegar-based botanical beverage, (parentheses). On Substack, she writes about booze-free dating and relating, entrepreneurship and the NA drink scene, book publishing, and mental health.
Beyond Sobriety: Louisa Evans is a therapist with personal experience overcoming alcohol addiction. Sharing insights from sobriety, she emphasizes that quitting drinking is just the beginning—unearthing your true self is the real goal. Paid members gain access to exclusive content, including hypnosis and relaxation audios, monthly challenges, AMA sessions, and curated resources to build a vibrant, alcohol-free life.
Blood and Pine: Justin is a sober social services director and nature lover who is passionate about self-improvement, social work, and the outdoors. He weaves reverence for nature intro his exploration of sobriety, change, and transformation—also sharing beautiful, deeply calming photos.
Boozemusings’s Substack: In 2016, on the one-year anniversary of their sobriety, Winged Victory launched Boozemusings, a blog featuring the voices of those who have inspired them. A year later, they created a Mighty Networks community called Boom Rethink the Drink, which now has an associated free publication on Substack. In their words: “In a world where you may be questioned for not drinking with the crowd, we encourage you to find your own path. Our Boozemusings community is filled with compassionate souls who have been writing our way free together since 2017.”
built by sobriety: Kelly B. shares stories from two decades of addiction, how she got sober, and how she’s maintaining long-term sobriety. In her words: “I want to be able to talk more about my story and give more details about how addiction looks first hand. I want others to know what it’s really like inside the world of someone who is addicted. I also want to share how things look now for me, at 5 years sober, and revelations that have come since I began doing the real work of staying sober.”
Caravan: Bree Stillwell is a sober writer, mentor, and personal development coach sharing stories from her work and life, along with actionable insights. In her words: “I believe storytelling holds tremendous power, and so write here about things that have fueled my curiosity, sustained my interest, lit a fire, pissed me off, created a hole. Much of this is through the lens of my professional work, so you’ll see a lot of personal stories interwoven with behavioral science and psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology, personal development strategies and actionable insights for making the hard decisions in life.”
Charlie & Company: Charlie Boyy is an addict in recovery sharing essays, poems, and explorations from this side of sobriety. In his words: “February 11, 2020 was the last time I was revived by paramedics. I’m thankful to have made a full recovery from my last overdose but many don’t share that same luxury. My brother didn’t. Feb 15, 2020 my life changed drastically without warning. Over the course of grief, despair, highs and lows, sadness, mental health struggles, substance abuse struggles, generational trauma, and a beaten but not broken spirit, I wrote my first poem. That first poem turned into my first page and those writings lay the foundation of who I am developing into today.” My own sober birthday is February 11, 2020, so while I don’t know Charlie, I love that this date connects us.
Christopher Robin’s Nebulous: Christopher Robin is a writer, podcaster, and self-described “slacker and humorer” with “two years sober, many years weird.” I first connected with Christopher on Medium and was thrilled to rediscover his stellar writing on Substack. He writes about mental health, addiction, and parenting—sharing art in ways that open the mind and touch the heart.
Circle of Chairs: Caroline Beidler invites “outcasts, ragamuffins, misfits, and anyone who is looking for hope in the grit” to join her in the downstairs church—the one where we can “share and celebrate our stories of recovery and resilience without judgment and without shame.” Caroline, who lives in Tennessee with her husband and twins, enjoys hiking in the mountains and cultivating her community’s local recovery ministry. She’s the author of Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery, has nearly 20 years in leadership within social work and ministry, and is currently the Membership and Outreach Manager for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education.
ClearLife: ClearLife arose out of Cecily Mak’s “exploration of what it means to ‘live clear’ or without dimmers that can interfere with an intentional, present, and embodied life.” Such “dimmers” include alcohol, but also other substances and behaviours. Cecily shares from what she’s named The Eight Awarenesses. In her words, these focus on “choice, self-awareness, healing, embodiment, and service.” They offer “a tool for anyone seeking to reframe a troubling relationship with any form of escapism” and embrace a “chosen sober” life.
Clover Stroud: On The Way Life Feels: Clover Stroud is a confessional writer and the author of four memoirs (with a fifth in progress). Alongside exploring her emotions and how to express them, Clover writes about creativity, motherhood, imperfectionism, grief, sobriety, sex, and joy. In Clover’s words: “As a writer I need to write with a radical honesty, which is probably the reason I write memoir rather than novels, as what happens inside me, in my head, everyday in real life is weird and wild enough not to need fictionalising.”
CON(CULTURE)TEXT: Taylor is a sober writer and researcher based in Kansas City. With a background in tech SaaS and B2B, performing arts, and theology, he explores how AI, politics, men’s issues, and Christianity intersect with ethics, morality, and modern societal challenges. When Taylor’s not researching or writing, he enjoys spending time outdoors, finding inspiration and creative fuel in nature’s simplicity.
Control Issues: Dr. Paul Chadwick is a clinical and health psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping children, adults, families, and communities transform their lives. He calls quitting alcohol “the single most transformative experience of my adult life” and has spent his career bridging clinical practice and academia to develop behavior change programs that improve health and address social injustice. A pioneer in applying clinical psychology to public health, Paul received the Paris Peace Prize for his work to reduce gender-based violence in low-income countries. He created Control Issues to let people struggling with alcohol know they’re not alone and that change is possible.
Creative Sobriety: Kristen Bear is an actress, writer, and sobriety advocate who got sober in 2020 and lost her mother in 2021. She writes about sobriety, grief, and the creative life. In Kristen’s words: “Making sense of it all is a full time job. We are all innately creative beings, let us heal.”
The Daily Draft with Zac Small: Zac Small is a family man, author, key note speaker, and sober Navy veteran. He writes about fatherhood, marriage, masculinity, sobriety, and a “Leave Me The Hell Alone political angle that is geared towards awareness and not anger.”
DARE TO BE: Allison Derany is a sober mom and lawyer who “dreams of being a writer” (but she’s already a writer!). Her beautiful, powerful shares offer a safe, caring space for folks exploring their relationship with alcohol and other unhelpful patterns. They’re also infused with curiosity, possibility, discovery, and hope—reminding us of the everyday magic and miracles on this side of sobriety.
Dear Jon: Jonathon M. Seidl is a dad, husband, entrepreneur, and storyteller who describes himself as a “recovering alcoholic all about messy sanctification, radical vulnerability, and God’s grace.” He’s also the #1 bestselling author of Finding Rest: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life. In Jon’s words: “I write about faith. About life. About my struggles and my trials. I’m radically vulnerable, maybe to a fault. In an age of filters and heavily edited videos, I bring a raw and real component to my little corner of the internet.”
Decidedly Dry: Jess Steitzer is a married mom of two boys who loves coffee, secluded hikes, and country music. In her words: “I live in a present-day ‘mommy-wine-culture’...smack dab in wine country and I’m doing it sober.” The Decidedly Dry newsletter and podcast cover sobriety, motherhood, homeschooling, books, and her “ever-growing God curious journey” and “love/hate relationship with running.” While Jess has stepped away from posting, you can still access her archive.
Deep Fix: In Alex Olshonsky’s words: “Most of my essays tackle psychology, psychedelics, culture, work, spirituality, and the potential for transformative change through their integration. Some weeks, I share personal stories, drawing tales from overcoming a near-fatal addiction and being a recovering Silicon Valley bro. Who knew, they were twin pursuits.”
The Dented Wagon: Peter Stromberg shares his “raw and real journey towards growth and transformation”—including how, without booze, everything is easier. Along with his own story, he features a collection of uplifting, heart-touching stories and oral histories from others.
Dharmaholic: Mike Mather writes about “Buddhism, alcoholism, and growing up.” His Substack aligns with AA and the 12 steps but from a Buddhist (rather than Christian) perspective.
dialoguing: Kaitlyn Topolewski is a psychotherapist, life coach focused on well-being, and business owner located in Denver, Colorado. Drawing on more than a decade of professional practice, she delivers wisdom about “our collective condition of humanness to your inbox every Monday in a concise (or at least an attempt at concise), digestible, and joyful manner.” Alongside writing about mental health more generally, Kaitlyn shares personal insights from her life in sobriety.
Discovering Me: Jamie Magnant is a licensed educator and creative facilitator, leader, trainer, writer, curriculum creator, project developer, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and world traveler. And yet, even when her “work-hard-play-hard lifestyle” appeared to be working, she found she’d lost track of herself and what mattered. In Jamie’s words: “I had no idea who I was, what I wanted, what I was doing anymore, or why. On April 8, 2021, I began a journey of returning. A continuous unfolding of discovery and it began with getting sober.”
Down the Rabbit Hole: Kasey Reilley is a sober mom in her thirties sharing what’s working for her in recovery while connecting with kindred community. Head over for “outlandish ideas, followed by mindful and sometimes mindless banter,” as Kasey shares her inner workings and makes space for creative expression and connection.
Dry Humor Me: Allison Marie Conway is writer, recovery coach, wife, and mother living in Southampton, Pennsylvania. She “explores, dissects, and celebrates the strange wonder of living a sober life while still surrounded by a booze-drenched culture she was once so deeply caught up in that she couldn’t even see it.”
Dry Runnings: Daniel Danciu shares notes and essays on running, recovery, sobriety, and self-discovery. Drawing insights from marathon training, he offers clear, inspiring teachings about staying the course with recovery and making each day a practice in discipline and devotion.
dumpster yoga: Bille Oh is a sober, queer writer and yoga teacher whose work has appeared in a variety of literary journals, including So to Speak, Cosmic Double, and Calyx. In their words: “i believe in the power of words. i believe in the power of attention. i believe in radical honesty, and forgiveness. i believe that yoga and spiritual practices should be accessible and useful and integrated into fabric of our lives. i believe words and movement and movement and words can be combined in beautiful and transformative ways. i believe in connection and community. toward that end—i want to find ways share practices more widely.” Billie’s newsletter features powerful essays and poetry, as well as a gorgeous series of virtual practices focused on the yogic yamas—weaving in guided meditations, poetry, and teachings.
The Elephant In The Room: Tina Morales is a relentless optimist, mentor, and motivator as well as “mother to two men and a little lady.” In Tina’s words: “Many years ago a woman from Texas said: it takes someone who has been there to talk to someone who IS there. That resonated with me, and kept me sharing my story.” Tune in for heart-sourced essays and poems about substance abuse disorder, divorce, rebirth, self, spirit, and being of service.
Elizabeth’s Substack: Elizabeth Jannuzzi is the operations and communications manager at Project Write Now, a nonprofit writing organization. She writes essays on loss, motherhood, and recovery, openly sharing her experiences to help reduce the stigma of alcoholism. Her work also explores themes of marriage and parenthood.
Evans’ Ramblings…: Evans Wroten, who’s been in recovery for more than 30 years, shares daily meditations full of honesty, accountability, and love. These short offerings read like prayers—acknowledging challenges, pulling towards hope, sourced from body-mind-spirit.
Everything is Holy Now: jessica star rockers is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, writer, musician, and recovering addict. She has served congregations as pastor and preacher throughout the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her family and other animals. In her words: “I share sermon videos, short essays, and stories of my honest struggles. Every post ends with a musical benediction. It’s like a little worship service sent to your inbox every Sunday. You share your thoughts, experiences, and wonderings. Together we create a conversation, a communion, a community.”
Evidence of Grace: Serena Menken is in long-term, 12-Step recovery from an eating disorder and also sober from alcohol. She explores parenting teens with mental health challenges, having walked her daughter’s struggles with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder—and continuing to walk that path as a woman in recovery. In Serena’s words: “I write from the intersection of 12 Step principles and spirituality through a Christian lens, although my desire is to make my Substack welcoming to anyone, the way a 12 Step room feels!”
Exploring Sobriety: Benya Clark quit drinking in 2016, stopped smoking in 2019, and has been blogging about sobriety since 2018. Benya’s essays draw from personal experiences in long-term recovery and sobriety.
Fellowship of the Spirit: Terry S. embraces “the belief every alcoholic should have an opportunity for freedom from alcohol and drugs” and invites readers to join a conversation about The Big Book and a 12-Step approach to living. By sharing tips, stories, insights, and inspiration on how to live a sober and happy life, Terry helps others in recovery feel more connected and less alone.
From This Corner: Jacob Ames shares poems and reflections about nature, the importance of movement, and healing from trauma and addiction. In his words: “I’m not a trained writer by any means, but I have goals. I want to hone my voice, present questions of the soul, and ultimately tell a good story. Whether that be through my poems or reflections, I know there’s value in sharing.”
Gone Dry: Josh Luton is a husband and dad to two girls who’s living an alcohol-free life. In Josh’s words: “What will this space be? If I had to guess, it will be more notes than newsletters. More of me sharing daily quips, musings, and nuggets of self-knowledge gleaned from my own writing journey; which is also my healing and coming home to self journey. But, the best part is: I don’t know what this space will be. And, I’m committed to showing up and discovering, with you, what it will become.”
Gray Area Drinking: In the months leading up to my decision to quit alcohol as a “gray area drinker,” I binged Jolene Park’s podcast (EDIT: Editing Our Drinking & Our Lives). Later, I was thrilled to find her on Substack and to see how she weaves together conversations on sobriety, supportive eating, functional medicine, aging, and spirituality.
The Great Reality: Chandni Challa is a sober lawyer, writer, and astrologer delivering insights about addiction, recovery, and mental health to facilitate spiritual awakening. She explores a range of topics that have supported her own journey in sobriety, including spirituality, metaphysics, neuroscience, and psychology.
HADaFEW: Jim shares stories from the beginning of his drinking days to their end and beyond. In Jim’s words: “My substack isn’t about offering advice; rather, it’s a reflection of what happened to me and how I’ve navigated life after ending my drinking days. It’s about transforming old addictive habits into positive pursuits and reclaiming my identity beyond being defined solely by my past struggles with alcohol.”
Home + the World: Jodi Rhodenis is a sober writer and a therapist working with women with opioid use disorder. In another life, she started a “dreamboat of a cake shop” and wrote a book about it. Her newsletter explores “the ways we become exiled” and “the ways we create belonging” through personal essays, links, recipes, and recommendations. Did I mention there’d be cake?
Hopping Off the Bus to Abilene: Ben T G writes about sobriety, poetry, fatherhood, basketball, aging, garden paths, and trying to answer the question: “What do you want?” He’s a captivating storyteller who includes his own delightful illustrations.
I’m Quitting Alcohol: Comedian David Boyle writes and podcasts about his transition “from Alcoholic maniac to sober lunatic.” More than four years sober, he draws on “20 years of booze soaked mayhem” to encourage others while making them laugh.
In Media Rez: Alfred Walking Bull is a writer, artist, radio producer, and host sharing about “recovery, Indigeneity, queer practices over theory, abolition, politics and movement spaces in the in-between.” I’m especially drawn to their exploration of the intersections of queer, Indigenous, and recovery identities as well as Indigenous perspectives on mental illness and mental health. In Media Rez offers a needed alternative to and reprieve from hegemonic narratives.
Into the Woods: Brigit Anna McNeillis is a writer, eco-psychotherapist, guide, botanist, forager, herbalist, naturalist, and mother “learning how to compost, transform and grow over and over again.” Her newsletter features “writings and explorations on being human, the nature that lives outside & inside, recovery and re-wilding the human psyche.” In Brigit’s words: “I have an obsession with nature and how it has helped me in my own journey of recovery and cptsd.”
Janey Lee Grace - Sobriety Rocks..& The Woo Works: Janey Lee Grace is a sobriety coach, host of the Alcohol Free Life podcast, author of several books on holistic living, a TEDX speaker, and founder of The Sober Club. She shares tips and inspiration for holistic, alcohol-free living and welcomes folks who are sober curious, newly sober, in long-term sobriety, and anywhere between.
Jeff’s Soberer Substack: Jeff Stevens is the founder of alcohol-free beverage company WellBeing Brewing. On Substack, he shares stories and wisdom from his own recovery and sobriety while inspiring others to drink less and do more to support their wellbeing.
Jessa’s Substack: Jessa Frances is a writer, artist, mother, gypsy, and “Absolute Wackadoodle” who works as a non-alcoholic beverage consultant and holistic health and wellness coach. She shares news and updates from the non-alcoholic beverage industry plus personal musings on holistic health, mindset shifts, and more. For those who wish to go deeper, Jessa’s Memoirs series tells her story through the lens of clarity, forgiveness, and love.
Jesus Loves A Hot Mess: Jessica Herman, sober since 2011, aspires to “provide a safe space to plug into a community to connect with Jesus and other women rocking recovery.” In Jessica’s words: “It’s my vision to create what I needed and still need today. A safe space where you can be around others who get it, all while continuing to work recovery in a way that keeps us focused on Jesus.”
Joy Juice: C.P. is a writer, hospitality strategist, and non-alcoholic beverage consultant who’s passionate about reimagining life without booze. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, C.P. shares insights on sobriety and what to drink when you’re not drinking. Joy Juice is a space for anyone curious about drinking less, quitting altogether, or exploring what truly fills their cup.
Justin’s sober newsletter: Sober since 2017, Justin shares what it was like to get sober while working in the tech industry and offers clear, wise guidance and reflective exercises for others on a kindred journey. In his words: “This newsletter shares ideas and topics I wish I knew earlier in my life, which could have helped me embrace sobriety sooner. If you’ve had experiences similar to mine, you might find these insights relatable, or perhaps they might resonate with someone you know. My mission is to inspire at least one more person to consider the path of sobriety.”
Kara Westerman’s Suitable Vessel For Magic: Kara is a published fiction author, journalist, teacher, podcaster, oral history facilitator, and leader of East Hampton Writer’s Collective (aka, The Writers Collective Out East). On Substack, Kara is serializing parts of a double memoir featuring herself and her husband—a trans man she met in recovery and who died in 2020 at the start of lockdown. The memoir, told from both points of view, traverses the territory of recovery, transformation, and Dharma.
Learning to Use My Words: Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez is a Midwesterner turned New Yorker writing about “life, gay stuff, spirituality, sobriety, and everything in between.” I especially appreciated Tim’s post celebrating two years sober and how expansive and connected life is on this side of sobriety.
Lessons from Recovery: Ron draws on more than 50 years of recovery from alcohol addiction—sharing insights from his journey and outlining specific steps and teachings that worked for him. He also acknowledges that there’s “no one-size-fits-all path to recovery” and offers myriad ideas for applying and integrating supportive teachings and principles.
Let Go and Be Free: Author Ron Vitale writes and podcasts about being an Adult Child of an Alcoholic. For those unfamiliar, there are distinct ACA groups within AA. There’s also close overlap between folks who grew up surrounded by alcohol abuse and who are now in recovery (or struggling with addiction) themselves. While I did not follow an AA path of recovery, I attended some ACA meetings and found their Laundry List of traits very familiar. Many such traits and ways of being in the world are just as addictive as alcohol.
Life after Trauma: Clare Egan is a queer, award-winning writer and freelance journalist based in Dublin. In Clare’s words: “I stopped drinking alcohol a few years ago because it made me feel shit. At the time, I was struggling to manage my mental health (primarily C-PTSD) and alcohol just messed with my body and brain too much. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” In Life after Trauma, Clare shares intimate essays and actionable resources to help survivors feel less alone.
Life with Jamie Marie: Sober since 2019, Jamie Marie draws on her own journey of addiction and trauma recovery, self-discovery, and healing to support and inspire others. In Jamie’s words: “My approach is centered around connection, support, and love, aimed at breaking down barriers and exploring wounds and traumas in a safe environment. Through curiosity, exploration, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone you can truly transform your life.”
The Light Today: Sober since 2019, heather marie morse is an astrologer and lunar-centric yoga teacher. Through her writings and teachings, she helps others “synchronize their inner rhythms with that of the universe, harnessing the moon’s energy to deepen their daily practices and cultivate self-awareness.” By uniting the tenets of yoga with lunar astrology, she provides “a path for individuals to navigate their inner cosmos, discover their potential, and align with the universe’s cyclical dance.”
Like a Normal Person: Julie Fontes has given up drinking, smoking, watching commercials, and sometimes sugar. She writes about getting sober while navigating a midlife crisis and parenting her adult child and herself. I was especially captivated by Julie’s Sober Bachelorette Party essay, which actually tells the tale of two bachelorettes—one while drinking, one while sober. It’s horrific and beautiful and I couldn’t stop reading.
Living the Questions: Priscilla Harvey is a mother, wife, lawyer, and seeker who writes about her journey through sobriety, faith, doubt, grace, God, spirituality, motherhood, marriage, therapy, sorrow, and joy. In her beautiful words: “As long as I’m seeking contact with the Divine and listening for the knowing of my soul to guide me, grace always finds me.”
Love Sober: Love Sober’s co-founder Kate Baily shares her journey of living, learning, and creativity as a sober woman, mother, coach, and author. Her Substack helps readers “discover the joy of alcohol-free living,” with tips, tools, and an abundance of inspiration.
Love Story: In my first months sober from alcohol, I devoured Laura McKowen’s beautiful, powerful book: We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. She went on to write another bestseller, founded an international sobriety support community, and emerged as a leading voice in today’s sober space. On Substack, Laura writes about addiction, recovery of all kinds, relationships, writing, and book publishing.
Loving the Dark Parts: In 2016, after “a break up and what felt like the end of the world,” Kaitlyn Ramsay quit her corporate job and booked a one-way ticket to Australia. In her words: “I was great at running away from things when they got hard; but this act of fleeing led me to a destination I never could’ve expected.” Since then, Kaitlyn has gotten sober, travelled the world, learned astrology, embraced her artistic talents, and stepped into sharing her gifts with confidence and presence.
THE MAIZE: I first connected with Michele Maize on Medium, where she drew me in with her authentic, sometimes heart-wrenching shares with tons of real talk about the normalized, glorified toxin that is alcohol. I feel affinity with Michele as a fellow yogi. I also feel awed to the point of tears by how she shows up as a sober mom.
Make Pure Thy Heart: Paolo Peralta credits mindfulness for playing a pivotal role in her choice to get sober and her long-term sobriety. Along with enjoying vegan dishes and an abundance of yoga, she’s a guitarist and tattooist who shares beautiful, heart-sourced writing, illustrations, and reflections.
The Manifest: Tom Gentry is a writer, husband, father, and addiction professional who has been sober since 1996. With the mind of a journalist and a heart for baseball, he offers thoughtful commentary on sobriety, culture, relationships, intimacy, emotional literacy, men’s issues, and personal growth. In Tom’s words: “We’re here together, on a vessel, setting off toward a better place. You’re on the manifest.”
The Mediocre Parent: Stephanie Gibbons writes about “recovery, parenting, and...growing up.” Head over for “part creative writing awkwardness/part personal essay (still awkward)” along with resources that Stephanie found helpful on her non-AA path of recovery.
Michelle Marano With The Sober Angle: Michelle is a sober stay-at-home mom and freelance communications writer covering the sober beat. In addition to sharing her own sobriety story, she showcases perspectives from sober experts and exposes the dark side of alcohol abuse disorder and “mommy wine culture.”
Midlife…Don’t Call it a Crisis: Amanda Younts is a midlife quitter, nontraditional Gen Xer, and self-described positive psychology antithesis. She writes with authenticity, compassion, sarcasm, and a stellar playlist, tackling tough topics like recovery, work, death, and life’s messy realities. Join a bold, unconventional community ready to defy the norm and spark lasting change.
Miss Sober Jane: Jane has been sober since January 1, 2022 and offers a window into the early years of sobriety. She shares her experiences, offers support, and creates a safe space for others on a sober path. In Jane’s words: Let’s “laugh and cry and celebrate together.”
Molotov Cocktails: Margaret Murray is a sober mom processing her past and stepping into her next version and expression. In her words: “this a place to put it all out there—the details about losing my shit but also finding my (new) flow at 41. I might talk shit about start-ups and motherhood while I’m at it.”
My Secret Sobriety: Kate Davidson created this newsletter to break her silence on recovery and share strategies and insights from 10 years of sobriety. I especially appreciate Kate’s lists of Recovery Tools, which are full of resources and ideas for curating a sober tool kit and finding support and community. I also appreciate her nuanced discussion of recovery terminology (even or especially because we differ on a few things). Kate is helping me see certain aspects of the recovery space from new angles.
Neurowavy Thoughts: Ren Riley (she/they) is a late-diagnosed AuDHD person sharing life through the lens of neurodivergence, sobriety, and everyday reflections. They explore the challenges and joys of being autistic and ADHD with insight and a playful touch, offering thoughtful yet entertaining perspectives on life’s journeys.
newly sober: Paulina Pinsky’s niche is covering what early sobriety looks and feels like in real time. As the sober sphere grows, I love hearing from folks newer on the path. It makes me nostalgic for those scary, beautiful, magic, intensely alive early days.
The Next Write Thing: Writer and web/graphic designer Nan Tepper (she/her) is “a happily aging kid raised in the 1960s” who lives in upstate New York and performs in local Story Slams. In her words: “The Next Write Thing is about recovery. Recovery from eating disorders, recovery from depression and trauma. It’s about love and community. It’s about coming out in the 1970s and having a gay dad. It’s about the 12 Steps, one step at a time. About patience, honesty, and growth. About being human. About being alive. So, it’s about almost everything.”
No Thanks, I’m Sober: Tendani Mulaudzi shares her story as a woman “rediscovering who she is after years of addiction and dysfunction.” Several years clean and sober, Tendani navigates this new world “like a toddler, stumbling curiously and inquisitively” through a life with “so much to discover.” Tendani’s raw, honest way of showing up on the page has me hooked.
Of a Sober Mind: Sober since 2009, Dee Rambeau shares “essays and stories about living in the present; formed by experiences of the past and guided by hope for the future.” I love this line from Dee’s About page: “I’m still learning all over again every day. I promise no preaching—only revelations.”
Open Mike: Mike is a sober author, podcast host, business leader, recovery and wellness coach, former ATP Tour pro, and divorced dad of three. In Mike’s words: “I’m a survivor. I’m resilient AF. I’ll talk about a lot of stuff I’ve gone through and work with other people on - getting well, becoming stronger, beating addiction, overcoming abuse, and handling trauma.”
Our Night Sky: Greg is a sober writer and photographer whose work explores mental health, addiction recovery, and the power of hope. Through his platform, he shares stunning images of the night sky alongside devotionals that weave together scripture, inspiration, and celestial wonder. His work reflects a deep faith and a belief in the human spirit’s capacity for transformation and healing. Rooted in his own recovery journey, Greg uses his creative gifts to bring light and encouragement to those walking through darkness.
Pearls of Wisdom: Sober for more than 14 years, Louise Atthey now shares about sobriety here on Substack in addition to offering 1:1 mentoring and working at The Luckiest Club. In Louise’s words: “Sobriety has been my greatest gift. Writing about it gives me a chance to continually pass on what I’m learning.”
PERFECT HUNGER: I’m
, a sober writer and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine living in Thailand. PERFECT HUNGER is a space to receive inspirational, nuanced, open-minded, non-judgmental teachings for a more aligned, joyful life. I offer a window into the simple, accessible wellness practices that have helped me and so many of my patients, blended with compassion and guidance to help you feel better.
pink heart emoji: C ♡ is “a virgo with a libra stellium, a dyke who’s friends with most of her exes, an anxious attachment apologist, and a sparkling water enthusiast.” In addition to sobriety and recovery, she writes about lesbian dating, astrology, and queer media.
The Practice: Parker Gates has been sober for over two decades, has practiced meditation for more than 12 years, and has studied the Dharma for the past 10 years. He is an ICF Certified Coach (PCC), trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and teaches executive education at Stanford’s d.school. In Parker’s words: “This newsletter is my collection of learnings and reflections from decades of doing my own work as well as working with others. There are stories of transformation, of people rebooting their lives, of folks finding recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction. And plenty of content on how to cultivate mindfulness as a means of dealing with life on life’s terms.”
Predisposition: Sam is a “late diagnosed Autistic person” writing about “identity, masking, being sober, and navigating the world of ‘normal’ people” while trying to be himself. In addition to exploring his experience of autism, Sam writes about recovery, alcohol use, and eating disorders.
Quiet the Noise: After getting sober in 2020, Kezia Calvert embarked on a journey to get to know herself beneath and beyond her addictions. In Kezia’s words: “One of my most startling discoveries in sobriety is that I am neurodivergent (specifically ADHD).” She created Quiet the Noise as a community where neurodivergent women in recovery can share their experiences and find support.
Rat Park with Carl Erik Fisher: Carl Erik Fisher is an addiction psychiatrist, Columbia University bioethicist, writer, and person in recovery. Seeking a way to make sense of addiction for himself, his family, and his patients, he wrote the bestselling book, The Urge: Our History of Addiction. In Carl’s words: “This Substack newsletter is an experiment in continuing that process of sense-making, learning, and sharing in a more direct way, with a focus on what addiction and recovery have to teach us about thriving and flourishing.”
Recovered Life: Damon Frank offers an inclusive, resource-rich Substack featuring information and conversations on recovery-related topics. I’m all about this descriptor: “We ditch the dogma and foster a lively atmosphere where people in recovery can find their unique path to recovery, regardless of background or beliefs.”
Recoverettes: Kristen Blanton Crocker is a mother, stepmother, and advocate for normalizing the discussion of alcoholism among strong, smart women. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho in 2013, and now makes a living selling tree work. Kristen writes about sobriety and parenting and also hosts a private Facebook group focused on recovery.
Recovering: Holly Whitaker’s former online recovery program and bestselling book, Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol, played a pivotal role in my early sobriety. In her words: “I see the world through the lens of our collective and individual addictions, and the world—as we all know—is on fucking fire, and so it follows that I see the solution to all we are facing through the lens of a shared recovery. Whatever I publish here won’t necessarily be constrained to the subject, but recovery will be the thread that sews what I write together.”
Recovering Trans Mystic: Jo Christian (they/them) is a nonbinary, asexual poet, mystic, and Ph.D. student at Southern Illinois University. They write about the deconstruction of faith, 12-Step spirituality and recovery, creativity, writing, queerness, and even baking! Along with essays about alcohol addiction and recovery, Jo explores other addictions, including to food and shopping. Their raw, poetic shares always linger a while.
Recovery Writing: James Ryan created this newsletter as a place to share ideas and practices that didn’t make it into his book by the same name or which emerged from his ongoing research into the connections between writing, healing, relationship, and spirituality. In James’s words: “Each month, I present a new way of writing—or a way of thinking about writing—that I hope will serve you in your ongoing recovery.”
reflections of a beginner sober: S. is newly sober and shares honest, heart-sourced reflections, challenges, and questions from the early days of addiction recovery. I love that S. is on the ground, reporting from the trailhead of a new path and life-changing journey. They’re helping make it safe for others to do the same. Rooting for you, S.
Rehabitus: AdamT, who describes himself as a “practical recover-ist,” created Rehabitus as “a platform for sustaining a sober life and unlocking personal growth post-addiction.” His mission is to “provide real-world strategies, support, and resources designed for individuals who have taken the significant step toward sobriety or have found themself in the limbo of post-addiction life.”
Renew Collective Newsletter: If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, don’t miss this one! Rachel Radcliffe shares a monthly round-up of sober meet-ups and social events. Her newsletter also lists ongoing events and sober support groups, both in-person and online.
Repurposed Kate: Kati Kate Katherine is a “dedicated dog mom” in her fifties who enjoys “delicious food, self-reflection, quiet time & conversations, caring for animals, and the company of people who avoid the company of people.” In her words: “This newsletter is my survival testimony for fifty years of codependency, unaddressed childhood trauma, and believing that I didn’t have a right to have opinions. It’s also my accountability that’s going to make sure I keep posting the things that are difficult to say. There’s no shortage of difficult to say around here.” She writes for herself but also for others, offering a beacon of hope for those who feel hopeless.
The Reset by Sam Delaney: Sam Delaney is a writer and broadcaster from London. In Sam’s words: “I used to drink way too much and work way too hard. I am better now and learning to live a calm and happy life without going all weird and boring.” In addition to sharing advice, tips, and personal experiences on mental illness, addiction, recovery, anxiety, and “generally resetting your demons,” Sam hosts a weekly podcast in which he talks to other men about their struggles with addiction and mental illness.
Return to Your Trees: Esther Nagle is a recovery and embodiment coach, nature connection guide, yoga and meditation teacher, writer, and mama. Esther advocates for defining our own path of recovery, creating a recovery life that works for us, and choosing empowerment over powerlessness. Her Substack is full of tips, strategies, and inspiration for anyone choosing to get sober and embarking on a joyous, abundant life in recovery.
Rosemary Writes and Recovers: Rosemary is a sober writer and poet sharing about love, life, death, sex, and relationships. She describes herself as an “anxious Big Feeler doing this human-ing thing sober” and writes in order to learn, grow, and heal.
Savvy Goes Surfing: Savannah Murray describes herself as “100% writer and 50% surfer, storyteller, dog mom, wife, and entrepreneur who revels in words, not numbers.” She writes about recovery in an expansive sense, shares heart-sourced poetry, and delves deep into “the process of healing the things below the surface.”
Self Made: Dani Cirignano is a writer, coach, and recovery advocate located in San Francisco. She writes about recovery, creativity, community, and San Francisco and “prefers the margins over the middle every damn time.” In Dani’s words: Self Made “is a rebellious recovery community that empowers you to liberate yourself from societal programming and to step boldly into a life of your design.”
Seltzer Rocks by Sarah Levy: Drinking Games author Sarah Levy got sober four days after her 28th birthday, “a decision that felt scary and impossible at the time.” Seltzer Rocks is the newsletter she wished existed when she was struggling with binge drinking and hangovers in her 20s. In Sarah’s words: “I was so curious about what a sober life really looked like, and Seltzer Rocks is a closer look at mine—relationships, identity, exploring new passions, and prioritizing self-care. I thought my life would be over when I first got sober, but it was actually just getting started!”
Session Zero - D&D led recovery: Jan is a D&D player in recovery from alcohol addiction and has one of the most original, creative angles I’ve seen in this space. I’m especially intrigued by the parallels Jan draws between “Session Zero” in D&D and figuring out (and building) new worlds in sobriety.
Sisters In Sobriety: Along with sharing their personal recovery journey, Sonia and Kathleen offer a 7-day alcohol-free reset, a course on creating new habits in sobriety, and a Sunday chat for subscribers. They also host a sobriety-focused podcast.
Sixburnersue: Susie Middleton is a cook (and author of four cookbooks!), gardener, writer, editor, sometimes photographer, and former (and future) small farmer. Over at Sixburnersue, she writes about finding serenity in nature and navigating long-term sobriety with tools and lessons learned while growing flowers and food, cooking, and spending time outdoors on her island home in Martha’s Vineyard. Her tapestry of nature, creativity, and sobriety is pure delight!
the small bow: the small bow is mostly written and edited by A.J. Daulerio and always illustrated by Edith Zimmerman. They share essays, interviews, and delightful illustrations about long-term recovery. Expect: “Lots of stories with a huge heart that manages to be hilarious and easy while making you question everything you were certain of about yourself.” —Esquire
Snake Dog Journal: SDJ is a Los Angeles based writer and creative director reporting from the intersection of sobriety and culture. Describing getting sober as “the most punk rock thing I’ve ever done,” SDJ sets out to “spotlight sober people in creative industries crushing work and life and (hopefully) debunk the myth of the drunk creative genius once and for all.”
Sober App Substack: This is a companion newsletter to Sober App, a free, downloadable app to “help you discover freedom through sober living.” Each week, you’ll find new essays by sober writers of diverse backgrounds sharing their stories, offering guidance, and cheering you on. I work as part of the Sober.com Substack team, so reach out if you’d like to be featured as a contributing writer.
Sober at 40’s Substack: Sober at 40, from Northern England, quit drinking at age 40 and celebrated one year without alcohol in July 2023. In his words: “I turned 40 and thought bollocks to booze, something I did not believe was possible. I currently write about how that decision is working out.” Head over for honest reflections, encouragement, and inspiration.
Sober Banter: Sober Banter is a sobriety and alcohol-free comedy podcast hosted by Colin and Rachel, who both stopped drinking in 2021. Their podcast covers topics such as marriage, parenthood, work, and daily stressors in sobriety. In their words: “We’re here for the brave, the inspired, and anyone looking for a humor based sobriety podcast. Because life might be dry, but it should never be dull! Come as you are, and leave a little lighter!”
The Sober Cinephile: Zac Gall is a writer, English teacher, and parent of four kids living in the Kansas City area. His newsletter sits at the intersection of writing, community, film, and sobriety. In Zac’s words: “Writing is an act of boldness, even daring, and like socializing at a party, many of us predisposed to introversion have reached for the assistance of alcohol to drum up the requisite courage.” The Sober Cinephile offers an alternative, fostering the sort of “clarity of thought and purpose” that many discover upon choosing sobriety and an expansive, creative, inspired life.
The Sober Creative: Josh Woll helps artists and creative professionals navigate sobriety while reconnecting with their authentic creative voice. With nearly 20 years behind the camera and a personal journey through growth and recovery, Josh shows how clarity of mind can unlock the creative potential that substances often suppress. He offers support, strategies, and community for those seeking balance, purpose, and integrity in both life and art. His work is rooted in the belief that when we let go of what no longer serves us, we make room for what truly does.
The Sober Founder: Brian D. Miller is a Simon & Schuster author, creative professional, and entrepreneur who writes about startups and living alcohol-free. As the founder of Seir Hill, a premium non-alcoholic spirits brand recently sold to Better Rhodes, Brian shares his personal journey as a sober entrepreneur. He offers insights and reflections on building a business while embracing sobriety.
Sober Gemini: Lindsey Goodrow is a queer and sober essayist writing from Long Beach, California. She is obsessed with unearthing and unraveling life’s addictive feelings. Her work has also been featured in the The Gay and Lesbian Review. Here on Substack, I was especially captivated by Lindsey’s raw, resonant essay on relapse, love, and a sober breakup.
Sober Girl in Paris: Alcohol free since 2023, Apolline Birch writes about what it’s like to quit drinking in a country famous for its wine. In her words: “[I]t’s more about imagination than deprivation. It’s about getting back in touch with oneself, rather than losing oneself. It’s about discovery and adventure, about learning new things and also about deeply reconnecting with the authentic person inside, who’s been there all along, and who wants to be heard.”
the Sober Glow: In Mia’s words, head here for “musings from a teetotaling, silver-haired broad.” You’ll find the free Sober Glow newsletter as well as The Feel Good Studio, which includes a robust suite of resources for making sobriety feel good.
Sober, Introvert, Slave to a Chihuahua: Though retired, Jennifer Trainor is living (and sharing!) a creative life through words, music, and images. She’s sober, an HSP introvert, and companion to a rescue chihuahua named Chloe. Alongside original artwork, Jennifer shares a window into her recovery journey, including how she returned to a creative life and learned to thrive after “chronic depression and alcoholism.”
Sober Living In The Music Industry: Tim Bailey is an elder emo, sober, and a proud introvert with 18 years of experience in the music industry. Now a senior label manager, his past includes roles as a national concert promoter, journalist, and electro house DJ/vocalist signed to an indie label. Join him in exploring life, music, and wellness from a sober perspective.
Sober Millenial: Tacita B. is “a somewhat functioning 29 year old with a manila A5 notebook plastered with colorful motivational quote stickers, the contents of which is basically my continuous stream of piping hot brain-dump personified. Golden nuggets and golden fuck its. The posts on this Substack will be my inner monologue but refinedish. I will write about being a sober millennial Londoner and everything in between (the nuance be nuancing).” I mean, I couldn’t not share that fabulous bio! Expect a real, raw, hard-to-put-down read.
Sober-Minded Mom: Jaime Green is a sober wife and boy mom who lives on 40 acres in northern California. She writes about 12-Step recovery, her relationship with God, and how sobriety is connected to…everything. Jaime also offers thoughtful, helpful responses to questions she’s received since choosing sobriety at the end of 2021.
The Sober Shaman: Doctor of Chinese Medicine and shamanic practitioner Randal Lyons (who happens to be my partner) shares a holistic approach to escaping addictive cycles and finding long-term sobriety. My favourite feature on The Sober Shaman is Medicine wRites, a series that includes audios of Randy drumming while guiding shamanic writing exercises. Randy is coming up on 30 years sober and has been working in the field for more than two decades.
Sober & Social: Emily Syphas is the founder of a lifestyle brand and community that empowers and inspires hangover-free living. She’s a Transformational Life Coach and Addictive Behavioural Coach, has completed Recovery Coach training and alcohol assessment and brief intervention training, and is working towards a trauma-informed coaching credential.
Sober Sundays: Each Sunday, Obii Ifejika shares a new poem or story in audio and text format. Sober Sundays is raw and honest. Obii’s voice is magic.
Sobering Thoughts: Sam Wilson considers writing an essential part of his sobriety and started his newsletter one week after getting sober. Sam offers an open and honest perspective on sobriety, sharing about his own struggles and successes and what helps him stay on track—including health-conscious habits and fitness. A new dad, he also talks about healing trauma and navigating recovery and mental health challenges while parenting.
Sobriety Doesn’t Suck: Jim Savage is a veteran drug and alcohol counselor dedicated to helping people find sobriety that makes them feel good about themselves. He focuses on transforming sobriety into a journey of happiness, excitement, and spiritual fulfillment. Jim’s approach is rooted in positivity and self-empowerment, guiding individuals toward a fulfilling, sober life.
Soul Eruptions: Jennifer L’Esperance began her sober journey in 2009 and, after a brief relapse in 2017, celebrated six continuous years of sobriety on January 1, 2025. A Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience, her recovery is rooted in women’s AA meetings and authentic connections with women healing from past trauma. In her newsletter, she shares her ongoing journey toward peace and stillness, writing about recovery from alcohol, childhood trauma, abuse, and the path to self-love and acceptance.
Special, A Serial Memoir: Sondra Primeaux is an upcycle designer and maker, photographer, former podcast host of The Unruffled, and writer sharing a serial memoir alongside expansive, insightful conversations about creativity, recovery, and midlife. Also look for podcast interviews and imagery of midlife women in recovery, Zoom meetings on the Enneagram, and other special surprises!
The Spittoon: Matt Andersen has the best tagline: “Sober writer. Addictive stories.” He shares non-fiction articles exploring addiction through his personal lens, original short stories, and posts featuring others and highlighting community.
Stoic Street Smarts: A best-selling author and former heavyweight boxer with a degree in Physics, Ed Latimore has been sober since 2013. He shares “insights, perspectives, and practices gained from a childhood in the hood, a mindset forged by boxing, and humility shaped from overcoming addiction.” In Ed’s words: “Now I teach people what I learned the hard way so they can live a better life themselves.”
Suzanne Writes: Suzanne Warye is a fashion influencer turned sobriety advocate, podcaster, and author. As the host of The Sober Mom Life podcast, founder of The Sober Mom Life Community, and a writer on Substack, she strives to normalize sobriety, debunk the myth of moderation, and empower sober women and mothers.
Taking Personal Inventory: A self-described “recovering alcoholic on a Scottish island,” Cams Campbell has been sober since 2005 but sees recovery as an ongoing journey. In his words: “The problems that plague all creators—creative blocks, self-doubt, low self-esteem, impostor syndrome—would all lead to my self-harming through means other than alcohol. I was destroying relationships through being unkind and selfish, bingeing TV shows, judging everyone, ignoring my family, and, the most harmful of all, sugar.”
The Teacher’s Way: Molly Moynahan is a novelist, essayist, and writing coach in long-term sobriety. On Substack, she shares powerfully rendered essays about growing up amidst the pain, violence, and heartbreak of addiction. She also shares her story of breaking free and choosing something different, in addition to essays about teaching, writing, parenting, culture, and “living with grace and humor.”
The Temperate Gentlewoman: A Temperate Gentlewoman shares beautifully rendered dispatches about life, zero-proof drinks, and recovery. In her words: “Whether you are sober (for whatever reason), sobercurious (for whatever reason), convalescing in a rehabilitation facility in the Alps (for whatever reason), or merely of a discerning palate, this epistle is for you.”
Thanks For Letting Me Share: This is the newsletter of Miss Sober Jane and T.B.D., self-described “addicts and alcoholics” who got sober though AA and working the 12 Steps. In their words: “We came to see that the Big Book and the Twelve Steps were really a series of prompts and questions that invited us to see ourselves and our place in the world differently. Working the Steps did way more than help us stop drinking, it transformed us and our lives.”
There’s Nothing Wrong With You (And There Never Was): Kelly Thompson is the founding editor and curator of The Rumpus Original Column Voices On Addiction, and her essays, interviews, and poetry have appeared in Memoir Land, BOMB, LARB, Guernica, Proximity, Fatal Flaw, Yoga Journal, and other literary magazines. On Substack, she shares “the HOW of recovery in specific, concrete actions because recovering is lifelong, and this journey is a wild adventure that keeps on giving.” Kelly is an LCSW who lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
This Middle Life: Tracie is documenting her sober journey and exploring what it means to meet midlife not as a crisis, but as an unfolding. Sharing some backstory, she says: “I left a 27+ year career recently (terrifying) and explored a completely new direction. It’s been a bit bumpy along the way, but has been absolutely necessary and I’m finally finding my place. I hold certifications and training in workplace wellness, health, recovery and career coaching, along with extensive leadership experience.”
Toward Wellth: Ed Rodgers s a sober “dad, husband, friend, improvement scientist, wellness advocate, servant leader, music and arts lover, euchre expert, and occasional weirdo.” He’s currently creating a business plan and forming partnerships to open an alcohol-free social space, with the brick-and-mortar slated for 2025. On Substack, he’s creating an online space for setting the tone and building community.
The Ultimate Mom Challenge: Award-winning writer, mom, and marketing professional Celeste Yvonne covers parenting, mental health, and sobriety. She’s a founding host of the Sober Mom Squad and an advocate for mothers who struggle with addiction. Not drinking is one of the most precious gifts a parent can offer a child. Heart-sourced gratitude for people like Celeste providing a healing, hopeful counterpoint to “Mommy Wine Culture.”
Unapologetic Woman with Rosie Pryor: Rosie is a sober mom “with a knack for finding medicine and meaning in every encounter.” As she puts it: “Chaos magic is my specialty, but I write and sing and poem and play guitar too sometimes.” She talks about the challenges of getting sober and how to navigate motherhood, relationships, and creative life in sobriety.
Unshattered Sobriety: Kimberley Kearns is a writer, wife, and mom to three kids. After relying on booze for more than two decades, she embarked on a life of sobriety in November 2020. She’s passionate about sharing her story in the hopes of inspiring others and offering a window into the joy and freedom of an alcohol-free lifestyle. In Kim’s words: “We recover out loud so others don’t have to suffer in silence.”
Valley Haggard: Valley Haggard shares flash nonfiction micro-essays about “recovery, addiction, writing, healing, and learning how to human.” Paying subscribers can also access the series “God Is My Boyfriend.” In Valley’s words: “Ok, this is the Big Stuff. The original wound stuff. The always lurking beneath the surface stuff. Join me in recovery from sex + love addiction and my quest for the divine.”
The Velvet Hammer: Em Biever is a life coach, writer, and alcohol-free lifestyle advisor, as well as the founder of The No More Bullshit Project. A passionate truth-seeker and BS-buster, she shares hard-won lessons from single motherhood, sobriety, entrepreneurship, and romance. Her writing speaks to those ready to shake things up and embrace a bold, unapologetic life.
Victoriously Sober: Tori H. is a 30-something-year-old living in the Detroit metropolitan area and writing about recovery, addiction, mental health, and her struggles around discovering that she was donor-conceived. I especially like Tori’s monthly list of what’s working for her in sobriety. She also shares cute pics of her rescue pup—a “doofusy, loving, drooly Pitbull mix named Scooby.”
The Way of Persephone: Marina quit alcohol and drugs in September 2014; quit “unhealthy sex practices, sexual misconduct, and codependent love relationships shortly after”; and is “still ‘dancing’” with her relationship with food and coffee.” In her words: “This publication is about sex. And sexuality. And kink. And spirituality. And the psyche. And how these affect the psyche and can go hand in hand, and serve as a vehicle on one's path to becoming who they truly are. I will be sharing (mostly) from my own experience.”
Wildly alive: Miriam is an x-ray technologist working at a rural hospital in a cowboy town. Her third book, Everything Is Broken and Completely Fine, came out in 2023 and explores her journey with mental illness, how she self-medicated with alcohol, and the toll of the pandemic. On Substack, she writes about “mental health, relationships, sobriety, and becoming brave.”
Worth Your Time: Erika Andersen is a freelance writer who focuses on faith, culture, politics, sobriety, and motherhood. In her words: “If you are a momma who cares about a deeper relationship with God in a chaotic, crazy word, you’re here! … Be a part of the mission to show how modern Christian Mommas with curious faith are welcome in Christianity. The church of your past is not the church of your future, friends.”
Wreckage to Recovery: Tim Lineaweaver is a counselor, writer, and speaker on addiction, trauma, and recovery. He’s been clean and sober since 1984, and has spent the past 30 years working with others to overcome their addictions. In his newsletter, Tim shares personal stories, practical suggestions, and resources to help you progress on your journey of recovery, stability, and personal growth.
Writing Your Discovery: Journalist, bestselling author, psychotherapist, and TEDx speaker Ann Dowsett Johnston shares heart-rendered wisdom on sober living, aging, and memoir writing. She worked at Maclean’s magazine for more than 25 years, is the author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, and offers workshops on Writing Your Recovery. For my fellow writers and aspiring authors, hard recommend.
Zero Proof Nation™️ by Laura: Laura Silverman is the founder of Zero Proof Nation™ and has been “a booze-free babe since 2007.” Along with NA beverages, she loves karaoke, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, world travel, and nature. Zero Proof Nation™️ is a global hub for AF beverages and resources, featuring a map of AF establishments all over the world.
But that’s not all!
This is a growing collection that I update monthly. Feel free to share your own Substack or recommend others in the comments. You’re also warmly invited to drop in and say hello—even if your recovery journey isn’t something you write about on Substack or make the primary focus of your publication.
Thank you for being here. Wishing you strength and serenity.
-Dana
I feel honored and humbled that Dana mentioned my publication in her newsletter. I look forward to connecting with others amongst the "SoberStack." If you are looking for quality newsletters regarding sobriety and recovery, I highly recommend taking a gander at some of these publications! I follow several of them already, and I can't get enough of them. Thank you again, Dana.
So honored, Dana! I'm going through and following the other folks on this list. It's so great to connect with other folks in the SoberStack (great word, btw!) space.