It was the summer of 2007.  Lost, The Office, and Gossip Girl graced the cathode rays of television sets. You likely had an iPod (where Daughtry and P!nk were spitting out hit after hit), a digital camera, and a flip phone -- or a QWERTY keyboard Blackberry if you were so lucky. The web was very 1.0 and I was two years post-college graduation.  I was also two hospitalizations in for alcohol poisoning by that time. After the first one, I swore off the sauce. Forever. But slowly, I got used to the idea that maybe, just maybe, I could tame my drinking. I thought I could have only liquor ..read more

I’ve been sitting on this for months because I didn’t want to “offend” anyone. But I’m reclaiming the narrative and taking back my voice. This movement is the future and it’s a HEALTHY one at that. I originally wrote a piece in May 2019 for a prominent collegiate recovery magazine. Seeing as college students are at increased risk of binge drinking as a means to self-medicate through feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, peer pressure, fear, and more — it’s important to provide non-alcoholic options that don’t feel lame, to put it plainly. Meanwhile, a global trend of zero proof beverages and bars is ..read more

If this video about Aaron Thompson’s recovery doesn’t make you cry, I don’t know what will. Please enjoy his song “Back to Where We Started” and all tissues are sponsored by Kleenex. xo, Laura ..read more

I went to a women’s only Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting this morning with a sober gal pal of mine. It’s been a loooooong time since I’ve been to an AA or Al-Anon meeting and to be honest, I wasn’t necessarily super excited about going. That said, I was open to going because I think there’s value in checking in on things periodically, even if you previously felt it wasn’t for you. As a woman and as a sober woman, I have evolved significantly since I last attended a meeting and I think with evolution comes the opportunity to hear old information with new ears. So I went. And I’m glad that I ..read more

This Sunday, July 14th, I’ll be turning 12. In sober years. A larger post may accompany that milestone because it’s been a massive undertaking — and at the same time, it’s been a string of 365 days after 365 days. In the beginning of my sobriety, I just needed to not drink. And that was hard enough. But as time wore on and I became more comfortable in the recovery path of my choosing, which took the form of many different things over the years (12 steps, therapists, SSRI for anxiety/OCD, yoga, She Recovers, podcasts, blogs, nature, friends, family, exercise, starting this blog, finding a digit ..read more

Are Mocktails Gaining Momentum in D.C.? Booze-free pop-up Sans Bar takes place May 4, and other area bars are beefing up their alcohol-free options. BY LAURA HAYES for WCP APR 30, 2019 1 PM D.C. is the next stop for a national roving pop-up bar that doesn't serve booze. Sans Bar was founded in Austin by addiction counselor Chris Marshall. He teamed up with Bethesda resident Laura Silverman for the D.C. event on May 4. Like Marshall, Silverman is in recovery and runs the blog The Sobriety Collective. But Sans Bar is "not just for 12-step fellowship," accordin ..read more

5.4.19 | 7-10pm | the viva center DC The Sobriety Collective and The Viva Center DC proudly present Sans Bar DC, a monumental event in our nation's capital! As a stop on The Sans Bar National Pop-up Tour, Washington DC could not be more stoked to have a night of authentic connection with delicious spirit-free beverages. Music includes tunes spun by Raveclean's DJ FM - more details to come so follow us on Instagram @sansbardc for all the latest news and special offers. Get your tickets today! Powered by Eventbrite ..read more

Hear ye, hear ye! All you Austinites and SXSWers: Sober by Southwest is this Saturday, March 16th at Sans Bar in Austin, TX! This joint effort is brought to you by Chris Marshall of Sans Bar and Tricia Lewis of Recovery Happy Hour. Do not miss this amazing musical lineup - not to mention food trucks, arcade games, healthy and delicious spirit-free beverages, and authentic connection. Plus…I’ll be there! BUY TICKETS Beverage sponsors: Dry Soda, Topo Chico, and Portland Syrups! Other SBRxSW sponsors: MSW Lounge, Clean and Sober Love Dating App, Game Flash, We are 4. Hope to see you there! Co ..read more

Editor’s note: Beverly is a dear friend of mine. She nudges me when I need nudging and my life honestly would not be as full without her in it. Thank you, love <3. I help people use their recovery process for greater purpose and good. But did you know that most people can't even get to living their purpose in recovery because their soul work is priority. Truth... You may (or may not) have heard of a spiritual bypass. Same is true for a purpose bypass. You can't jump into purpose work without doing your own inner work. Well, you can...but it won't be pretty. Been there, done that. Part of m ..read more

Maybe you boozed it up over the holidays and want a liver detox and a mental reset. Maybe you notice you drink without thinking about it — if it’s a happy occasion, you drink; if it’s a somber occasion, you drink. You just drink. And you want to change. Or maybe you’re in recovery and you already get it - but you want an article to send family and friends outlining statistics (and some spirit-free recipes to boot). We have you covered with this amazing and informative piece compiled by Healthline in collaboration with the American Liver Foundation. Just take a peek at some of these elegant al ..read more