Sobriety: Resources for the Sober and Sober Curious

[Megan Waldrep]

Sobriety: Resources for the Sober and Sober Curious

When a fisherman is away, POCFs will play!

What I want more than anything is for you to gain confidence and enjoy time for yourself. Of course, it’s normal to feel sad when your loved one leaves, but knowing you have a rich inner life all your own is the greatest gift you can give yourself. I can’t say it enough.

Part of that freedom is being aware that idle time when your fisherman is gone can be a breeding ground for unhealthy habits to come into play.

Yes, I’m talking addiction. And you don’t need to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you suffer becuase I’ve been there and struggled in my own way.

“Hi. My name’s Megan, and I’m an addict.” I have struggled with alcohol since first getting drunk in college. (Yes, I was a “good girl” in high school, and so the story goes.) I share my sober story in a POCF podcast episode (on Apple & Spotify), but in a nutshell, it took me eighteen years to finally quit drinking, and I’ve never looked back. However, I still have other tendencies that I need to keep in check.

What helps me is remember how f*cking awful hangovers made me feel. How depressed I’d feel for days on end. How my bank account dwindled so I could buy 24 oz beers to binge at home alone. How I felt there was no f*cking way I could quit because I was in too deep.

But there’s always a way out, and I know in my heart that if you seek sobriety, you can do it, too.

If you find yourself challenged, you are not alone! Here are ways to find support:

• Talk to family or friends you can trust who lead a sober life.
• Search for sober accounts on social media (they are out there!)
• There are apps for that:
  • Sunnyside (tracks time sober, money saved, and motivational quotes)
  • I Am Sober (same as above)
  • Sober Time (counts days sober and an option to join a community)
  • AA Speakers To Go (stories from AA speakers)
  • NA To Go (stories from NA speakers)
• Alcoholics Annonymous: http://www.aa.org
• Narcotics Annonymous: http://www.na.org

Addiction is widespread in the commercial fishing industry and, basically, everywhere. If your partner or a loved one is suffering and you feel stuck, Al-Anon is an excellent option for family support: http://www.al-anon.org.

If you’re feeling distressed or having thoughts of suicide or severe depression, you can call 988 in the US or visit 988lifeline.org. The line is open 24/7 and completely anonymous.

For international assistance, visit https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines and choose your country to receive guidance and support.

Here are helpful resources and real-life stories from the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Podcast on Addiction:

SOBER SERIES on the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Podcast: 

(Ep. 32) Part 1: My Sober Story + 6 Tips on How to Quit Drinking on Apple & Spotify

(Ep. 33) Part 2: Unintoxicated and Uncomplicated: How to Make “Sober Curious” A Lifestyle Choice with Jessa Frances on Apple & Spotify

(Ep. 34) Part 3: How to Stay Sober with POCF Monique Combs on Apple & Spotify

(Ep. 49) How Depression, Addiction, and Pregnancy Loss Turned into Motherhood and A Family Fishing Business with Adra Kusnirova on Apple & Spotify

(Ep. 38) The Emergency Kit You Didn’t Know You Needed Aboard with Project Gabe on Apple & Spotify

No matter what you’re going through, remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

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