The Sober Mom Life

Alcohol Doesn’t Make Things Special with Real Sober Mom Sarah H.

Mar 10, 2025

Sarah H., a mother of three, shares her enlightening journey of sobriety after realizing that alcohol, once seen as a fun addition to celebrations, had negative effects on her behavior and well-being. She recounts how her perception of drinking changed during motherhood, leading her to explore a sober lifestyle starting with Dry January. Sarah's powerful reflections on grief, empowerment, and the importance of shared stories highlight her evolution towards embracing sobriety, transforming her life and inspiring others along the way.

47:27

Episode guests

Sarah H.

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Sarah's realization that alcohol does not enhance enjoyment, but rather masks genuine connections, led her to embrace sobriety.

Coping with grief after her mother's passing became more manageable for Sarah due to her commitment to facing emotions authentically without alcohol.

Deep dives

The Role of Alcohol in Social Settings

Alcohol has often been viewed as a means to enhance social interactions and create memorable moments. This connection began early on, with experiences at sleepovers during childhood and continued through high school and college, where drinking defined social activities. The idea that alcohol makes events 'special' was ingrained, leading to the perception that alcohol was necessary for enjoyment or bonding. However, reflecting on these experiences reveals a reliance on this substance to facilitate socialization rather than addressing genuine connections.

Intro

4min

Nostalgia and the Illusion of Alcohol's Specialness

4min

The Evolution of Alcohol in Life's Celebrations

6min

Navigating Sobriety: A Personal Journey

15min

Navigating Grief and Sobriety

14min

Empowerment Through Awareness: The Journey Towards Sobriety

2min

The Power of Shared Sobriety Stories

3min

Sarah believed a myth: Alcohol Makes Things Special. She believed that alcohol was a special ingredient to make things fun ever since middle school when she took her first drink at a slumber party. This belief followed her through college and into adulthood, and because she didn’t experience intense hangovers or blackouts, she never gave the belief a second thought.

Once Sarah started having children, however, her experience of alcohol began to change. She noticed the sluggish, brain foggy nature of hangovers more than she ever had before. More worrisome for her, though, was her realization that drinking made her more aggressive. She wondered - did she like herself better when she was sober? Sobriety didn’t seem like an option, though. How could she enjoy a sober life when alcohol was the ingredient that made things special?

In 2022, Sarah tried Dry January and realized that something about sobriety worked for her. Thus began her two year journey of drinking with the blinders off, until she fully quit after having a surprising realization: She’d enjoyed her one sober night on her birthday trip more than any of the nights that she drank.

Slowly, Sarah started sharing her sobriety in public. The response was inspiring. So many women approached her wanting to know more, sharing their own worries about alcohol, and asking for advice. This fuels Sarah to live her sober life loudly!

At six months sober, Sarah’s mom passed away unexpectedly. The experience rocked her world, and she was so grateful that her sobriety was well intact. It helped her truly sit in her grief instead of reaching for the distraction of alcohol.

Check out Sarah’s article about sobriety on Indianapolis Moms!

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