Florence Welch
Florence Welch, lead singer of Florence and the Machine, has been sober since 2014. In recent years, she’s opened up about her history of addiction and eating disorders. Welch says she grew up with a sense of terror that could only be quelled by music or self-destruction. “I learned ways to manage that terror—drink, drugs, […]
Sober Stories: Beth

What led you to get sober? I was 23 years old, and at that point I had been using and drinking for a decade. I was sitting at my kitchen table in my little mice-infested apartment, and I had this sudden awareness: if I didn’t stop, I would be dead within a year. My life […]
Educators and Addiction
Teachers and professors tend to go into the field because they want to help. They are often eager to get students excited about learning. Educators Face Pressures However, there is a fair amount of burnout in these fields. In one survey of 30,000 teachers, 89% reported having felt enthusiastic at the beginning of their careers, […]
Building Acceptance During Recovery
Many of us in recovery used alcohol or drugs to escape reality. When we’re sober, it takes work to embrace the reality that we’re in, rather than finding other ways to numb ourselves. Being present with what’s happening in our lives is acceptance. If you’re in recovery, you’ve already practiced acceptance. That’s one of the […]
Addiction in the Creative Professions

In every artistic field—music, literature, visual arts, comedy, etc.—there’s no shortage of famous people who struggled with addiction. That’s why there’s a myth that addiction and mental health struggles fuel creativity. While those with creative brains may be more prone to addiction, substance use only holds them back; believing otherwise can stop people from getting […]
There Are Many Pathways to Recovery
The first time I tried to get sober, I followed two friends into recovery and did exactly what they did. It lasted about two months—which was a lifetime of sobriety for me then, but a lot shorter than I meant to make it. When I got sober this time, six years ago and six years […]
Addiction in the Food Service Industry
The food service industry has long been notorious for rampant drinking and drug use. Former server Cinnamon Janzer said, “You’re around alcohol all day and after a long night of dealing with sometimes difficult customers, nothing sounds better than a drink. Then another person gets off of their shift and another and before you know […]
How to Support Someone With Addiction Without Enabling
It’s understandable to worry that helping someone with addiction might enable them, but helping and enabling are two very different things. People who are going through addiction and recovery need to know that they have support; it’s important not to pull away because of the fear of enabling. Enabling is essentially participating in behaviors that […]
Coping with a Broken Heart in Recovery
Heartbreak isn’t always taken as seriously as other emotional experiences, but it’s a powerful form of grief. It’s not uncommon for people to relapse as they deal with the many emotions that arise during a breakup. Heartbreak and Early Sobriety Share Many Similarities The first time I experienced withdrawal was when I was still in […]
How to Stop Addictive Behaviors

Addiction is a prison in itself. A behavior that keeps you addicted takes control of your life, hence the need to stop it and begin your journey to recovery. You can stop addictive behaviors permanently by seeking a suitable addiction treatment program. The first step is to accept that you’ve got a problem. Next, seek […]