As the pandemic subsides and people seek to break the drinking habits that may have been creeping in, “sobriety” is emerging as a new holiday-inspired milestone. greeting cardcocky language coffee mug A growing social media presence.
Important reasons: Due to the continuing stigma of alcoholism, too many people feel that quitting and staying sober is a significant achievement.
The concept of a “sober birthday” Or sobriety anniversary is almost as old as the 12-step meeting, but the prevalence of the catchy coined word – sobriety – is a meaningful cultural watershed.
- It gives dignity and respect to those in recovery, helps people to open up about their struggles and seek help, and encourages patients to seek help.
- “I quit drinking on August 17, 2008, and celebrate the day each year with a travel splurge,” said Carly Benson, a 41-year-old recovery coach from Naples, Florida. to greece.
News promotion: Accustomed to living out loud, young people are abandoning Alcoholics Anonymous’ principle of “anonymity” to post proud photos of their “sober” celebrations.
- On Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms, people are holding up signs and balloons showing how many years they’ve been sober. tattoo their no-smoking day using the hashtag #soberversary.
- Cold “merchandise” on sites such as Amazon and Etsy can be solemn gifts (recovery journals or bracelets with inspirational quotes) or comical gifts (with slogans like “Cold AF”). sweatshirts and mugs).
- Seamus Kerst, a 32-year-old Brooklyn writer who has been sober for 10 years, said it was “inspiring” to see other people’s posts celebrating 40 years sober and other notable numbers. Told.
- “I think it’s kind of normalizing to talk about drinking and addiction,” Kerst told Axios. To show, people feel less lonely.”
Celebrities are lending momentum: Supermodel Chrissy Teigen marked her first sobriety in July with a long sentence Instagram post.
- “Not one drop of liquor in 365 days!” she said. “Sometimes I miss the whimsical, carefree feeling, but to be honest, towards the end, it just didn’t feel fun anymore.”
- Ann episode ‘Jersey Shore’ castmate Snooki is back to observe the coolness of Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino.
Backstory: to AA system Chips, keytags and medallions are awarded to people in honor of various sobriety milestones. This is a tradition that dates back to the early days of the Fellowship.
- Clarence Snyder, who founded the third AA Group in Cleveland in 1939, said, “On February 11, 1938, I had my last drink, and until shortly before my death on March 22nd, I worked with a silver dollar and a watch fob.” 1984” according to A 12-step website called Big Book Sponsorship.
- That tradition continues today, with a modern twist: groups such as Sober Girl Society (founded in 2018) sell Various sober pins and jewelry in bubblegum pink.
And then a calm person appeared As a cause for a poignant, if not public, celebration. “These commemorative events can mark drinking for 100 days, 300 days, a year, or any period related to you and your life. according to Sober Living America, which runs an addiction recovery program;
- “Some people prefer to spend their Soberversary alone and quietly reflecting, while others prefer to celebrate through trips to new destinations and celebrations with family and friends,” observed Sober Living America. doing.
- Online women’s magazine Bustle It was published Tips on how to monitor your coolness. (Suggestions include learning to meditate and hanging out with friends.)
- Benson, a sobriety coach who offers sobriety courses on her site MiraclesAreBrewing.comshe went kiteboarding in the Dominican Republic after her first year of sobriety.
- “My one-year sobriety was a turning point. ‘You know what? I don’t want to go back. I like this life,’” she told Axios.
To the point: Soberversary is a decidedly modern type of celebration, alluding to a kind of intense joy that can only hint at the struggle and anguish that precede it.
“This is a good counterbalance” To all the bad news about drug and alcohol abuse, Kerst said, “On the one hand, we’re seeing the dark side of addiction, how dangerous certain substances can be, but on the other hand, we’re also getting messages about people who have overcome it.” I have.”
