Why I'm starting an addiction recovery advice newsletter

I'm not a doctor or mental health professional, just a person who was very addicted to alcohol, managed to quit drinking, and spent the next 16 years learning a few things.

It sure feels weird to put a picture of myself here, but I am not sure what else to do for an intro post. So hi, that’s me.

Why am I starting an addiction recovery advice column?

Put simply, I used to write one, and when I did, people seemed to like it. I’ve been told it even helped a few people. I’m not a doctor or mental health professional, so my advice shouldn’t be construed as medical or therapeutic advice. But I do know what it’s like to be addicted to a substance, recover from that addiction, and figure out how to live without the drug that used to be my singular obsession. I also know what it’s like to love someone who is struggling with chemical dependence. 

I’ve learned a lot since January of 2008 when I woke up in an emergency room after what would be my last bender. Some of that knowledge came through experience, some through hours of research as a health and medicine journalist, but all of it has been valuable to me. I’m starting this newsletter because it might be valuable to you or someone you know.

All of the recovery advice here is free in every sense of the word. You are free to take or leave it. I will never put the advice posts behind a paywall.

If you appreciate what I do and are in a position to become a paid subscriber, please sign up for one of the paid options. The more subscriptions I get, the more often I can share what I hope will be helpful advice. Plus, you’ll get bonus posts, expert Q&As, community features, and other very cool things that I haven’t thought of yet (if you have ideas, let me know!). 

I’m planning on adding more features and resources, but this is my first foray into the world of Substack, so please bear with me as I figure it out.

For any of this to work, I NEED QUESTIONS!

Send questions and feedback to askasoberlady@gmail.com. By sending a question, you agree to let me reprint it in the newsletter with your name redacted or changed. Emails may be edited for length or clarity.

I’m not a doctor or mental health professional, so my advice shouldn’t be construed as medical or therapeutic advice. You are free to take or leave it.