Updated 22 November 2023: Find three new additions below, bringing the total to 88 and counting.
Hey. Dana here.
This annotated directory of Sober Substack—or SoberStack, if you will—features publications devoted to addiction recovery and sobriety. Turns out, there are a lot of us! What you’ll find below is updated regularly and will continue to grow.
My hope is that folks landing on SoberStack will “see themselves” in here somewhere—finding voices that resonate, feeling less alone, expanding their sense of what’s possible.
You’ll find writers of many different ages and with varying lengths of sobriety—from newly sober to decades of continuous sobriety and everywhere in between.
They also represent a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, paths to recovery, sober-specific challenges, and areas of focus, including:
Non-AA recovery
AA-specific recovery
Spiritual, soulful, faith-based paths of 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, and/or non-binary person
Sobriety as a neurodivergent person
Getting sober in your 20s, 30s, or 40s
Staying sober in your 50s, 60s, or 70s
Sobriety in the Midwest
Sobriety in the Deep South
Sobriety on an isolated Scottish island
Parenting, homeschooling, and staying sober amidst mommy wine culture
Navigating mental health challenges sober
Addiction recovery in a wider sense than just alcohol and other drugs
And so much more!
Focus on addiction recovery and sobriety as a primary, clearly defined niche
Are written by writers who consider themselves in recovery or recovering (Meaning, this isn’t a directory of folks writing about how to navigate other people’s addictions and recovery—even if those others are loved ones.)
Do not revolve around promoting an addiction treatment centre, program, or other professional services (Many that I’ve included do have regular Calls to Action but don’t read like one big sales pitch.)
Didn’t appear to present their perspective on recovery as the only valid option or path or to demonize other paths or a particular set of people
Did appear to be active and publishing regularly
Important note: I’m not endorsing the content of the publications below by putting them on this list. Even when I do 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 poke around and find what resonates with you.
If your publication is below and I did not convey its essence accurately or made any errors, please accept my sincere apology and email me so that I can make amends: hello@danaleighlyons.com. (Also feel free to email just to say hi and introduce yourself.)
If you consider yourself in addiction recovery and your publication focuses on this niche, please tell us about it in the comments. Also shout out anyone I’ve missed or (kindly) review anyone included.
I update this directory every few weeks and keep it in the navigation bar so folks can find it with ease:
With that, here’s to SoberStack! It’s a fantastic starting place for anyone who’s sober curious, newly sober, sober for decades, and anywhere in between.
Thank you. I appreciate you. I’m rooting for you.
Dana
: is a writer and addiction counsellor from South Africa. Alongside (which you’ll also find below), she created Addict’s Digest as a place to feature young people in recovery. In Tendani’s words, head over to meet “a bunch of Gen Zs who I’ve grown to love with my entire heart.”: offers advice on navigating sobriety while building and maintaining relationships with your kids. They also “share raw and honest experiences and insights into the life of a recovering alcoholic.”: Author 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.: , sober since 2013, 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.”: Author and Sober Sexpert writes a dating, sex, and relationships advice column for the sober and sober curious life. It’s for anyone (sober or not) interested in “alcohol-free dating, relating, and hooking up while also unpacking the trope of liquid courage.” Find my interview with the amazing, inspiring Tawny here.: is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer sharing about health, business, family, travel, and living in sobriety. Tim’s also working on a book and shares chapters in progress via public drive links embedded in posts. I was especially touched by this quote from Grandpa Richard: “Tim, you’re going to want your recovery to happen fast, but I hope you let it go slow. Slow is beautiful.” Yes. Yes, it is.: 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.: 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 arose out of ’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.: 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.”: makes a case for romanticizing life without booze and “explores the possibilities of decadence and bliss in the absence of alcohol.” I especially love her weekly menu of fun, doable challenges to bring more novelty and delight into everyday life.: 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.” : is a sober-focused 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.: 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.”: In ’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.” From what I’ve read so far, hard recommend. : Peter (aka, Dented) 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. : writes about “Buddhism, alcoholism, and growing up.” His Substack aligns with AA and the 12 steps but from a Buddhist (rather than Christian) perspective. : 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 had 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.”: is a 44-year-old 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.” : , 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.: 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. : 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 lives behind the paywall and offers a robust suite of resources for making sobriety feel good. : is 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.: In the months leading up to my decision to quit alcohol as a “gray area drinker” without “a problem,” I binged ’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 supportive eating, functional medicine, aging, and spirituality. I consider Jolene a kindred spirit, am a paying subscriber, and recommend, recommend, recommend.: is a 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?: Comedian 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.: 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. : , 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.”: Kimberly Kearns (aka, ) is the author of On the Edge of Shattered. In Kim’s words: “After relying on booze for over 20 years, I discovered a life of sobriety during the pandemic in November 2020… Along my journey, I have found so much joy and freedom on this side… We recover out loud so others don’t have to suffer in silence.” Thank you for sharing your voice and your light, Kim!: 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. : Author 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.: 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. That one will stay with me a while. It’s horrific and beautiful and I couldn’t stop reading. : is an award-winning journalist and recovering addict who launched his Substack while in a treatment program and now continues from “the real world.” A Baltimore-based advocate of punk music and em dashes, Logan writes about addiction, the working class, and U.S. politics. : Love Sober’s co-founder 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.: In my first months sober from alcohol, I devoured ’s beautiful, powerful book, We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. Her Substack offers “an honest look at relationships, recovery, and writing.” Also, we’re both die-hard Swifties, which feels important to mention. : I found Messy Recovery while compiling this list and became a fast fan. Maki 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.” Everything I’ve read from Maki is abundant in mindfulness, consciousness, and wisdom. She also quotes some of my favourite poets and authors, including May Sarton.: I first connected with 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.: is a 31-year-old from Mason, Michigan, who’s been sober for nearly three years 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.: 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.” : 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.: ’s niche is covering what early sobriety looks and feels like in real time. As the sober sphere grows (along with the number of seasoned “experts”), I love hearing from folks newer on the path. It makes me nostalgic for those scary, beautiful, magic, intensely alive early days.: shares her story as a 30-year-old woman “rediscovering who she is after years of addiction and dysfunction.” Three years clean and sober, Tendani navigates this new world “like a toddler, stumbling curiously and inquisitively” through a life with “so much to discover.” I found Tendani while compiling this list; her raw, honest way of showing up on the page has me hooked. : Sober since 2009,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.” : is a lifelong outdoor athlete and a multi-lingual world traveler and adventure guide. In Bowen’s words: “I was also a teenage boozehound until just before I turned forty-eight, unhealthy, addicted and depressed, anxious, unsettled, lonely, dissatisfied and disconnected from a sense of identity, self, and direction. I was often plagued by a feeling that I didn’t know what to do, didn’t want to do ‘it’ alone, and I couldn’t imagine escaping the increasingly dark state of mind that I found myself in far too often.” In An Ordinary Disaster, he shares chapters from his serialized memoir as well as in-depth essays and interviews on addiction, depression, masculinity, adventure, and more. : Sober for more than 14 years, 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.”: 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.: is a “faith-based father, husband, sibling, and friend. Part philosopher, part digital media pioneer long ago turned digital apostate, part entertainer, part nonfat dried milk.” He writes about the “default meta-addiction to all things media and all things digital” and offers ways out. I’m drawn to Jeff’s free-thinking perspective and focus on the pervasive, deeply destructive nature of digital addiction in our times.: 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.”: It’s hard for me to write about ’s Substack or wider body of work without sounding like an over-the-top, medium-obsessed fangirl. Holly’s book, Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol, and former online recovery program played a pivotal role in my sobriety. I’m a paying subscriber of Recovering, devour every word, can’t get enough.: 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.”: 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.: 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.: A best-selling author and former heavyweight boxer with a degree in Physics, 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.” His about page alone is full of deep wisdom and stoic street smarts. : Ron, of , draws on 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.: 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.”: Drinking Games author 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!”: is a D&D player in early 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.: 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 is mostly written and edited by and always illustrated by Edith Zimmerman. They share essays, interviews, and delightful illustrations about long-term recovery. While their Substack is new, the small bow is not! It’s an extension of their website by the same name, where they have more posts, Zoom meetings, a podcast, and more. 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: , 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.” Now 41, he shares challenges and reflections to encourage and inspire others.: , a writer living in Long Beach, California, shares “sobering thoughts on addictive feelings.” I was especially captivated by her raw, resonant essay on relapse, love, and a sober breakup. : 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.: 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.: is “your neighbor with all the best seltzer, a variety of tarot decks, and a stack of books exploring recovery and creativity.” Since getting sober in 2019, she’s come to see freedom from addiction (whether to alcohol, food, technology, love, or anything else) as a doorway to so much more. Each week, she covers a “universal challenge from a sober perspective.” A transplant to Savannah, Georgia, she also explores being sober in the Deep South.: Doctor of Chinese Medicine and shamanic practitioner (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 29 years sober and has been working in the field for more than two decades. : Hey—that’s me! I’m , a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and writer. Here on Sober Soulful, I share raw, unfiltered writing about sobriety and soulful living (with counter-narrative rampages thrown in the mix). My intention is to offer intimate, resonant shares on recovery from all manner of addictions—whether to alcohol and other drugs, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive patterning, online technologies and social media, overwork, perfectionism, external validation, fucked-up relationships, etc. : is a Black woman, poet, writer, and “seeker of the sweetness of life.” Her raw, lyrical shares skip the pretence and go straight to the heart. One of my favourite parts about sober circles is when people show up fully, in all their humanness. SlimPickenss does exactly that—poetically and powerfully.: Each Sunday, shares a new poem or story in audio and text format. I’m new to Obii’s work, but, so far, the posts that I’ve read and listened to weren’t about sobriety and recovery in an obvious way…yet absolutely resonated with my experience of sobriety and recovery. Sober Sundays is raw and honest. Obii’s voice is magic.: works in technology PR by day and helps run a sober non-profit in Chicago by night. In her words: “As a born & bred Midwesterner who loves a fancy dinner party, I was inspired by the Supper Club culture as the basis for this newsletter—a place to connect and swap stories among friends. The twist is that we’re focusing on sobriety and changing drinking culture, but enjoying ourselves while doing it.” I love how Kerry tackles (infuriating, harmful) trends, such as alcohol at “wellness” events and spiked versions of soft drinks. : writes about long-term sobriety and recovery, including as relates to parenting, relationships, and being yourself. In Amy’s words: “Emptying the cup was only the first step... The lessons never stop. It’s relentless in a way that I love most of the time.”: considers writing an essential part of his sobriety and began Sobering Thoughts 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. : is the founder of Sober & Social—a hangover-free 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 studying for a trauma-informed coaching qualification. You can read Emily on The Socializer and consider attending her live workshops and events!: has the best tagline: “Sober writer. Addictive stories.” In The Spittoon, he shares non-fiction articles exploring addiction through his personal lens, original short stories, and posts featuring others and highlighting community. : Sober since 2019, highlights the beauty, creativity, and possibility in a life without drinking. Her inspiring shares illustrate that how we live is an artistic expression, a gift, and an act of service. In Jamee’s words: “I am an expert on how to build and nurture a lifestyle that’s free of alcohol and its side effects. I’m not a teacher, a sponsor, a guru, or an influencer. I am a friend that leads by example. I am a mirror reflecting back to you the ways your life can change too.”: is “a black writer, a wife, a Catholic who curses like a sailor, and a native New Orleanian.” Her Substack is a serialized memoir sharing her “experience living at the intersection of trauma (i.e., complex trauma and racism-related trauma) and sugar addiction.” I mean, I’m hooked already! A new, numbered entry drops each month.: A self-described “recovering alcoholic on a Scottish island,” has been sober since finding AA in 2005 but came to see recovery as about more than booze. 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.” Over the past few years, Cam began taking inventory, embraced a growth mindset, and developed new, supportive habits and practices. I love seeing glimpses of his handwritten morning pages (and even hearing which pens he used!). His Substack also includes a podcast featuring: “Honest talk from a 1971-born Scotsman who got sober in 2005 and quit opioids in 2017. No holds barred—philosophy, spirituality, addiction, recovery, mental health, pressures of life, gratitude.”: is a novelist, essayist, and writing coach in long-term sobriety. In The Teachers Way, 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.”: This is the work of (see above) and , self-described “addicts and alcoholics” who got sober though AA and working the 12 steps. My own experience with AA is limited, but I appreciate their take on the program: “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.” While I’m new to TFLMS, they are clearly building a robust resource with extensive, diversified offerings. : Writer and illustrator shares tender, personal reflections about life and food addiction through wise words and original art. I especially love her gentle reminders that we are not our addictions. They may be part of us, but, in Karen’s words: “We are always more interesting than our stickiest problems.” : Award-winning writer, mom, and marketing professional 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.”: 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.”: 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.”: 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 and her sobriety. She also shares cute pics of her rescue pup—a “doofusy, loving, drooly Pitbull mix named Scooby.” : offers one of the most original combos I’ve seen in this space, advocating for “engagement over despair in a crazy world as it relates to addiction, spirituality, libertarianism, conspiracism, business, and comedy.” I appreciate how Patrick examines dominant narratives from unexpected angles, sharing his reflections and reactions. In a world (and recovery space) where mainstream conversations all start to sound the same, I place great value on getting curious, asking questions, and looking through an alternate lens.: 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 Wildly alive, she writes about “mental health, relationships, sobriety, and becoming brave.” : is a 29-year-old American living in Ireland who quit drinking three years ago, as she was completing a Ph.D in Consumer Psychology. Upon getting sober, she left academia to become a sober coach for high-achieving professionals. In Melissa’s words: “Working Sober is a place for me to tell you the stories that have shaped my life. I share with you all the lessons I’ve learned and hope you’ll walk with me as I navigate through the final chapter of my 20s.”: Journalist, bestselling author, psychotherapist, and TEDx speaker 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.This is a growing collection—expect new entries every few weeks.
Meanwhile, please shout out your Substack or others in the comments. Also feel invited to drop in and say hello (even if your own recovery journey doesn’t involve writing about it on Substack or making it the primary focus of your publication).
With love,
Dana
SoberStack: Addiction Recovery & Sobriety Substacks
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.