Check out how others got sober — and then you decide what is best for you. — Stephen King has no memory of writing Cujo, his thriller about a rabid St. Bernard gone mad. That is a significant blackout, if ever there was one. King also admits there are several other books he has no memory of writing. Incredible. There are various ways to find sobriety: spontaneous…

It’s not bragging — you should be proud and take ownership. — Attaining sobriety is not a walk in the park. You worked hard to achieve freedom from the drink. As you gain weeks, months, and years being alcohol-free, you will also acquire attributes you didn’t possess before recovery. You had admirable qualities before you drank, but I’m sure they became buried…

Changing how you transition at the end of the day can turn you from stressed to relaxed. — I sure did look forward to uncorking that chilled bottle of wine the minute I walked through the door after a killer day. It was almost an automatic response. I was a single mom raising two boys with all the responsibilities that go along with it. Those who have custody…

We have more say about how our brains age than previously thought. — No matter your age — your brain needs your help to keep it working seamlessly. Do you take your brain for granted, assuming it’ll always serve you? How often do you even think about your brain? Do you appreciate all the amazing thoughts, solutions, and creative ideas it delivers? My…

Will we ever forgive ourselves for the missteps we made while drinking? — It's almost 30 years later, and I still cringe when I recall the asinine and thoughtless comments I made to an acquaintance one night at a restaurant I frequented. I was way beyond tipsy and sitting at the bar with a friend. We'd planned on a cocktail before dinner. Dinner…

Even if you're not a coward, these quotes can help you become braver. — I didn't ever want to admit that I was a scaredy-cat. But I was, in my youth. Dive into the deep end of the pool off the highest board? I don't think so. Maybe I'll try the low one — you know, the one. …

Could this work for you when you’re stuck? — Bob Dylan was seen meandering up and down the side streets off Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, N.J., one dark, stormy afternoon. A resident considered him a vagrant and called the police. A 24-year-old officer arrived and asked Bob for his ID. He didn’t have it on him, so she…

Do the holidays always trigger drinking for you? — Break out the champagne and OJ — time for mimosas! It’s okay. We’ve had a light breakfast, and the turkey is in the oven—time for a break and the first toast of the day. This scene would be the start of a boozy holiday in the old days. It didn’t…

I was hoping this would happen and thrilled that it did. — You thought it was all about the freedom from cravings. Isn’t that the whole point of quitting drinking — to be free of the urges, cravings, and god-awful need to drink? Sure, it is, and you will be free of this nagging, nail-biting period at some point. Typically, cravings will…