ADDICTION FICTION

Addiction Fiction Book Review: “Before She Disappeared” by Lisa Gardner

If you love your crime thrillers with a side of recovery realness and a main character who walks the razor’s edge of obsession and redemption, “Before She Disappeared” is your next must-read.

Lisa Gardner introduces us to Frankie Elkin—a flawed, fiercely independent, recovering alcoholic who doesn’t wear a cape but might as well. She’s not a cop, a PI, or a trained investigator. She’s simply a woman in long-term recovery who’s made it her life’s mission to search for the missing people the world has given up on.

#ADDTOCART

#ADDTOCART: Emotional Support Crafts + Gifts for People in Recovery

Let’s get real for a minute. Sobriety isn’t just a lifestyle choice — it’s a full-contact sport. Whether you’ve got 24 hours or 24 years, there are days when white-knuckling it feels like the only option. And when life starts lifey-ing (as it inevitably does), sometimes what we really need isn’t another lecture, book, or quote — it’s a quirky little sidekick on our desk, a comfort object that says, “Hey, I see you. You’re doing the damn thing.”

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND

Unpacking Mel Robbins’ “Let Them Theory” – Boundaries, Sobriety, and the Real Power of Letting Go

Mel Robbins’ book has taken the self-help world by storm for its deceptively simple, two-word mantra: “Let Them.” At its core, it suggests that letting people act how they wish — be it friends, family or co-workers — can be the ultimate move for mental health and sober boundaries. But is “Let Them” truly a theory, a revolutionary idea or simply a catchy phrase rebranded for mass appeal? 

As Dr. Sarah Michaud puts it, the real question is: Can people really do it? “If we could all just say, ‘oh, yeah, let my kid get high, I don’t give a sh*t,’ there would be no Al-Anon; there would be no codependency treatment,” she notes. This zero-BS, real-life perspective — grounded in decades of sobriety and clinical experience — commands you to look beyond the marketing and into the hard work of actually practicing what we preach. #glovesoff

SOBER ENTERTAINMENT

When The White Chip Leaves London, the Conversation Will Continue: A New Interactive Recovery Resource is Live

Thanks to a powerful collaboration between the production team, the University of Oxford, and the visionary minds behind Performing Recovery, a brand-new website now lives on as a lasting, interactive resource for the sober community (and anyone curious about what life on the other side of alcohol really looks like) long after the last curtain falls. (Which won’t be happening for the London production until mid-August 2025.)

#WEDORECOVER

Sober Celeb of the Week: Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway, forever etched in our minds as Andy Sachs from “The Devil Wears Prada,” has been open about her decision to ditch alcohol — and honestly, we love her even more for it. Now over 5 years sober, Anne continues to prove that glamour, grit, and growth can go hand in hand. In our fantasy “Devil Wears Prada 2” universe, she nails it with this iconic line: "Turns out I don’t need vodka to survive Fashion Week — I just need Wi-Fi, a green juice, and the willpower of a woman who’s worked for Miranda Priestly."

Currently, the internet is losing its collective mind after Anne was spotted filming in NYC, giving us all the Prada-soaked goosebumps we didn’t know we needed. And you know we’re dying to find out — will Andy Sachs be sober in the sequel, too? If anyone can make that storyline powerful, stylish, and unapologetically real, it’s Anne. We’re raising our (non-alcoholic) espresso martinis to her this week!

For anyone struggling, know that help is available: 📞 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA Helpline).

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY - NYC

“Sober Songs” Returns to NYC Stage: A Musical Revival of Recovery, Hope & Harmony

This summer, the heart of Manhattan will once again pulse with music, laughter, and raw vulnerability as “Sober Songs” makes its long-anticipated return to the stage. The original musical — written, composed, and lyrically penned by New York Times bestselling author Michael Levin — begins previews on August 30, with an official opening on September 6 at Theatre Row’s Theatre Three, running through September 21.

WHAT A TRIP!

Island Hopping Soberly: Discovering the Unique Charms of the Out Islands

The Bahamas’ Out Islands offer stunning blue waters, secluded beaches, and thrilling adventures, all without the haze of a hangover. These lesser-known islands provide a serene, authentic escape perfect for a sober vacation.

WHAT A TRIP!

Great Ocean Road in Melbourne, Australia: Twelve(ish) Apostles and Twelve Steps

Before I joined a 12-step community — courtesy of a non-optional invitation from the local police department back in 2011 — I distinctly remember sitting on a crusty old couch of unknown origin with my best friend, chugging a room-temperature facsimile of chardonnay directly from the spigot of a dusty, bottom-shelf box from CVS. Classy.