Sober Link-Up – April

A monthly roundup from the alcohol-free Substack community

Welcome! This is our monthly roundup of reads and resources from the alcohol-free Substack community.

We publish twice-weekly posts at Sober App Substack and welcome new and returning contributors. Reach out for submission guidelines.

Now, on to the links.

Below, you’ll find pieces about the moment things start to shift—questioning the “I’m not that bad” story, seeing more clearly what alcohol is doing, and beginning to choose something different. There are honest accounts of relapse and return, and what changes over five, seven, even thirty years of sobriety.

You’ll also find glimpses of what emerges from there: a life that no longer revolves around drinking, friendships that go deeper, and a kind of peace that, at first, can feel unfamiliar. And finally, practical reflections on navigating springtime sober, being around people who are drinking, and regaining focus in sobriety.

Join the conversation by sharing your favorite alcohol-free writers and resources in the comments. If you’re sober, feel free to include a link to your own publication or website—we celebrate all paths to getting and staying alcohol free.

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Seeing it clearly

• For When You’re Thinking “I’m Not As Bad as Her,” Sydney Allen

• One Good Look in the Mirror, Jamey M

• How I used alcohol to cope with anxiety, Rewriting Sober

• Why You’re Still Drinking When You Don’t Want To, Louisa Evans - Beyond Sobriety

The path of sobriety

• five years sober: how hitting rock bottom rebuilt my life, kamil

• Ten Years Up, Five Years in Hell, Thirteen Years Free, Petr Motl

• The Darkroom, Steve Munro 🇨🇦

What opens up

• 5 Things I'm Loving About Being Alcohol Free (Over 7 years in), Samantha Perkins

• Recovery has given me a life that has taken me away from recovery, Kristen Crocker

• What If It Could Be That Good? Josh Luton

• I Thought Peace Meant Something Was Wrong, The Gift of Becoming

Living it

• Navigating sunshine and holidays without alcohol, Ellie Nova

• What to Do When Everyone Is Drinking and You’re Not, Suzanne Warye

• Sober… and Still Can’t Focus? Shane Willbanks

• Good night should-head, Dee Rambeau

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Do you have any sober reads, resources, or recommendations to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

And before you go, would you take a second to tap that little heart? It lets others know there’s something helpful here and grows our sober community.

We know that sharing about recovery and sobriety can feel vulnerable. Like in recovery groups, we ask that commenters in this space refrain from giving unsolicited advice or spreading hate and division. Thank you for helping us foster a kind and inclusive community.

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Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, DTCM is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine offering heart-sourced guidance on body-mind-spirit wellness. She manages Sober App Substack and writes PERFECT HUNGER™, a newsletter devoted to living a more beautiful, nourishing life.

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If you’re sober and interested in contributing to Sober.com, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our newsletter manager and editor here for submission guidelines.