Saratoga's Recovery Story

My name is Saratoga and I got sober on June 17, 2019. I'm from Brooklyn, NY and currently live in Milwaukee, WI, which is interesting because it took me moving to one of the drunkest cities in America to finally quit drinking!

I started drinking as a teenager and at the first sip I knew I was in trouble; I loved it, everything about it. I got further and further into the drinking culture at college and it became clear to most everyone but me that I had a problem. My values and passions fell to the wayside to make room for alcohol. I lost myself entirely. For almost a decade.

It took a really long time for me to get sober. I started re-evaluating my relationship with booze after a personal betrayal that led to a period of deep depression and a mental health diagnosis. I kept trying moderation and making promises to myself that I couldn't keep. Finally, one day, hungover as hell, sick as a dog, ashamed of wasting another weekend in a blackout, I decided enough was enough.

I got sober. I initially started with AA, but I didn't feel connected or fulfilled by the program, so I white-knuckled it all by myself for 3 months until I finally joined the sober community on Instagram. Finding like-minded people and sober meetup groups in my city made a huge difference in my recovery. So did my newfound passion for rock climbing.

The best part about being sober is learning who I am, what I like, and what I value. I have a voice now. I have interests and hobbies beyond blacking out. I have actual sober friends. Most importantly, I respect and love myself now.

My advice to people who are just starting to get sober or thinking about quitting is to find your support system. Whether it's AA, sober groups, rehab, online communities, or support from family and friends, it's absolutely crucial. Therapy, medication, exercise, and trying new things is also extremely helpful. Sobriety is tough, but there are literally zero cons and it's so, so worth it.