Hi, we are Openly Sober!
We are here to challenge the stigma of sobriety and recovery.
Your story could change or save someone's life.
Representing 52,322+ Collective Days of Sobriety
Sobriety Isn't Just for Celebrity Headlines
We've all seen the tabloid rehab stories. Look around work culture or social feeds, though, and society still cheers for day drinking while whispering about recovery. For a long time, even when regular people got sober, the unspoken rule was to stay quiet, not make a scene, and guard it like a secret.
Founded by Butler Raines after getting sober in 2017, Openly Sober was built to flip that script. Sobriety isn't about perfection or waiting for a movie-style rock bottom — it's about everyday people choosing honesty, health, and a better life out loud.
When we share the truth about how we quit drinking or using, what the hard days actually looked like, and what life looks like on the other side, we make it easier for the next person struggling in silence to raise their hand.
Real Sobriety & Recovery Stories
First-person interviews with everyday people on what led them to quit, how they navigate triggers and setbacks, and what long-term recovery looks like day to day.
Where did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I grew up in New Jersey, in a variety of living situations. This included being left...
Brittany L. Shelton
7,281 days soberWhere did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I grew up in a small town in the Midwest. I was born to two young teenagers (16 and...
Morgan Dalton
8,230 days soberWhere did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I grew up in the Los Angeles, CA, suburb of Sherman Oaks, in the San Fernando Valley,...
George Kathele
688 days soberWhere did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I grew up in Kenya, specifically Nairobi, the capital city. My upbringing was modest,...
Brittany Young
4,798 days soberWhere did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I grew up outside of Philadelphia. Grit, resilience, love, faith, and family were...
Priscilla María Gutiérrez, J.D.
5,484 days soberWhere did you grow up and what shaped who you are today? I like to say I’m American in the deepest sense because my mother is from South America,...
Articles on Living Sober
All Articles →Honest perspectives on navigating social life without alcohol, building sober friendships, and rethinking recovery culture.
How Do I Deal with Regret in Sobriety?
If you’ve been sober for any amount of time (even five minutes), you’ve experienced the cold splash of shame that all of us endure as an avoidable part...
Read Article →Stoic Quotes to Support Your Sobriety
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.” Source:...
Read Article →Books by Sober Authors
All Books →Memoirs and recovery books written by people who have shared their interviews with the Openly Sober community.
From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction
Break the Cycle Before It Breaks You: Unlock the Mindset That Sets You Free
Discovering Beautiful: Finding Freedom from Childhood Trauma and Self-Destruction
Wear Your Sobriety
Every hat, mug, and tee starts a conversation and challenges the stigma around recovery in everyday life. Every purchase directly supports the Openly Sober community.
Find Local Recovery & Treatment Resources
When someone is ready for help, finding legitimate local support shouldn't be overwhelming. Browse our verified directory of addiction treatment centers, detox programs, sober living homes, and recovery organizations by state.
One Honest Sober Story. Every Week.
Every path to sobriety looks a little different, and in those differences there is almost always a story that hits home. Whether you're in recovery, sober curious, or supporting someone you love, the Openly Sober Newsletter sends one real interview to your inbox each week — no noise, no spam.
Ready to Share Your Journey?
You don't need to be a writer or have decades of sobriety behind you. Answering our interview questions takes just a few minutes, and your honesty might be the exact reason someone else decides they aren't alone.