What is Ask a Sober Lady?

Welcome to Ask Sober Lady, a substance use and recovery advice newsletter written by me, Katie MacBride, a health science journalist and sober lady. I quit drinking in 2008—not because I wanted to, but because it had taken over my life and was destroying me mentally and physically. Mine was an extreme case, but substance use and substance use disorders come in all shapes and sizes. There are many paths to recovery and many ways to define what recovery is. I welcome all questions. I’m not a doctor or mental health professional and am not giving medical advice. My responses are suggestions based on my experience, research, and perspective.

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. I used to write a similar column, first for The Fix and later for Paste Magazine.

I answer questions every other week and write a little essay on the off weeks.

Send questions to askasoberlady@gmail.com.

I will always keep you anonymous, and by sending a question, you’re permitting me to post it in the newsletter.

Take what’s helpful; leave the rest.

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