Young Alcoholic
Let Yourself Live

Hi, my name is Derek and I’m an alcoholic. I can remember clear as day choking back emotions as I admitted that for the first time to a group of people, and it sure wasn’t easy. Now I can confidently say it because I’ve grown to know there is no shame in being an alcoholic. But that realization didn’t come overnight.
I hope that I can connect with young people that are currently struggling with alcohol the same way I once did by sharing my experiences through this blog.
Posts

6 Stunning Canadian Sober Travel Destinations for a Refreshing Escape
Discover 6 unforgettable Canadian sober travel destinations perfect for nature, wellness, and reflection – no alcohol required. Explore Banff, Tofino, Québec City, and more.

Alcoholism in Young Adults – It Took Me 31 Years To Stop
Think you might be too young to have a drinking problem? Alcoholism in young adults is real—and it doesn’t always look the way you expect.

How to Have a Sober Vacation – 6 Steps For Success
Discover how to have a sober vacation with 6 simple tips for alcohol-free travel, stress-free planning, and meaningful fun.

7 Challenges of Sobriety – And How to Overcome Them
Discover 7 common challenges of sobriety and how to overcome them with real advice, personal insight, and practical tools for lasting recovery.

Travel Dates – 6 Helpful Moves for Your Next Sober Trip
Choosing the right sober travel dates can not only lead to a better vacation, it can help reduce your opportunity to encounter alcohol! Find out how!

Alcohol Relapse Prevention: 10 Simple Strategies for Staying Sober
Relapse prevention is critical in maintaining long term sobriety. Here are 10 steps to help you avoid the misery of a relapse.

Easy Sober Travel Planning – 20 Essential Steps
This 20 step sober travel planning guide is intended to help you organize your next holiday while keeping your sobriety in mind. Check it out!

Confidence: A Powerful Factor to Maintaining Sobriety
Confidence can be an important trait in building and maintaining sobriety. Read more to learn why!

Is Sobriety Boring? 5 Reasons Why It’s Amazing!
Is sobriety boring? That’s a question I’ve been asked a lot. It absolutely isn’t and here are 5 reasons why it’s amazing!
Welcome to Young Alcoholic!
Thanks for stopping in at Young Alcoholic, a page I created to connect with young people who feel like alcohol is having a negative impact in their lives.
I started Young Alcoholic as a bit of a hobby project back in 2015, mainly as an excuse to avoid studying! I was in college at the time, a few years sober and still figuring out how to adjust after years of heavy drinking.
I often thought back to when I started questioning my own drinking. I remembered the feelings of shame, loneliness and thinking I was alone in my struggles. I specifically recalled flipping through a pamphlet, something like “10 Signs You May Be An Alcoholic”. Of course I answered yes to most of the questions, but justified them in my mind to avoid the truth.
As my drinking escalated, I found myself in and out of AA, quitting periodically but with no long term success. Sitting in those AA meetings (which I am now so grateful for) I often felt out of place. Was I really a young alcoholic? Was this the right place for me? Is this my crowd now?
Turns out I was a young alcoholic, that was the right place for me and that definitely was and still is my crowd.
Reflecting back on that experience, I was motivated to try and connect with other young people that may be struggling with alcoholism. I wanted to let them know they weren’t alone, that it’s ok to admit you have a problem and that help is available.
All of this has turned into Young Alcoholic. And since starting it, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with countless people struggling and succeeding in their recovery journey. I’ve been a guest on podcasts, built a social media presence and now contribute to this blog by sharing my stories and perspective from my own experiences.
I am not a doctor, psychologist or recovery professional. I’m just a guy that’s been through the pain of addiction and the blessing of recovery.
I’ve also started a new section dedicated to sober travel. This is an outlet for me to (maybe selfishly) share my sober travel experiences, tips and stories in hopes to show others that sober travel is not only possible but an amazing experience!
If any of this resonates with you, stick around. Sign up for the newsletter, follow me on social media, or just reach out—I’m always happy to answer questions. Addiction is isolating, but recovery doesn’t have to be.
You deserve a better life. You deserve to let yourself live!
Contact Me
I will happily respond to all questions
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!