What is Ask a Sober Lady?

AASL is a free, weekly newsletter featuring an advice column, essays, interviews with interesting folks in recovery, and analysis of substance use and addiction tropes.

It’s written by me, Katie MacBride, a health and medicine journalist and sober person. I quit drinking in 2008—not because I wanted to—but because it had taken over my life and very nearly ended it. I’ve spent nearly two decades researching, writing about, and living the process of addiction recovery.

This is a judgment-free space, and I don’t advocate for one-size-fits-all treatment or any predetermined path. Substance use and substance use disorders come in all shapes and sizes. There are many paths to recovery and many ways to define it. I welcome all questions.

I’m not a doctor or a mental health professional, and I am not providing medical advice. My responses are suggestions based on my experience, research, and perspective.

I will always keep you anonymous, and by sending a question, you’re permitting me to post it in the newsletter.

Take what’s helpful; leave the rest.

Why subscribe?

All posts are available for free to anyone who subscribes, because I believe information about substance use, addiction, and recovery should be available to everyone. But publishing a weekly newsletter takes time, research, and energy—and I need paying subscribers to sustain it.

If you want to support this work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. If that’s not possible right now, I totally understand; all subscriptions, shares, and likes are appreciated!

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