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
Sober Travel Discovery: From Fantasy to Reality
Sober travel has gone from being a dream to a reality. Read on to see how I made that happen as well as 5 tips for sober travel.
The World Through Sober Eyes
If there’s one thing that sobriety has taught me, it’s how different the world looks through sober eyes.
7 Easy Tips for Sober Travel
Wanting to take a sober trip but are unsure of yourself? Here are 7 easy tips for sober travel.
Sobriety and The First Date
A first date can be a nerve wracking experience, especially for recovering alcoholics. But opening up to a new romance about alcoholism shouldn’t keep you from being yourself!
6 Healthy Activities For Early Sobriety
It’s not always easy filling your time in early sobriety. Here are six healthy activities I feel can help fill the day during your recovery.
Addiction and Recovery: How To Have Tough Conversations
Opening up to other people about recovery isn’t easy, and can be discouraging when we don’t get the reaction we are hoping for.
Am I A Young Alcoholic?
Am I a young alcoholic? This question is not easily answered, but here are six questions that helped me realize that I was.
5 Simple Reasons to Help Say No to a Drink
Socializing while new to sobriety can present unique challenges, including being offered alcohol. Here are 5 reasons you can share with someone as to why you’re not drinking.
Back to the Start of Sobriety
Connecting to recovery groups on social media provides an eye-opening reminder of the struggles in early sobriety.
Instagram post
Instagram Post
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!