Instagram: You love it, you hate it. Maybe you've found yourself endlessly scrolling for hours on end, again. Social media does have its positives though–it’s now easier than ever to share your experience and connect with a community of like-minded individuals online. Immersing yourself in a substance-free lifestyle can help you stay motivated in the recovery process and social media sites like Instagram are a great tool for that. Whether you’re looking for honest advice and support in getting sober or simply want to replace doom-scrolling with something more productive, here are 11 recovery accounts to follow in 2023.
You Don’t Have To Drink | @youdonthavetodrink
Meg Fee is the New York-based creator behind the sobriety page You Don’t Have To Drink. Her personalized account of getting sober encourages others to reframe alcohol and break free from their relationship with drinking. In addition to recovery stats, tips, and helpful resources, Meg covers other relatable topics, like mental health and eating disorder recovery. You can also find alcohol-free drink recommendations on her page, so you can kick back and celebrate without the sauce (or the hangover the next day).
Sober Dave | @soberdave
David Wilson rediscovered his relationship with alcohol in 2019 and has since written a book, started a podcast, and built an engaged and supportive online community with over 85k supporters. He regularly features guest speakers on his Instagram where he shares his experience in sobriety and provides resources for topics like navigating the gray areas of drinking or staying motivated during recovery.
Woman On A Sober Mission | @womanonasobermission
Through a lens of her own recovery and a focus on health and well-being, Woman On A Sober Mission documents one woman's experience on her journey to living alcohol-free. Woman On A Sober Mission is run by Carmela, a mother and sobriety coach from the U.K. Her content focuses on demystifying the challenges of sober living and providing alcohol-free parenting tips. You'll find her discussing topics like the toxicity of "wine mum" culture, the benefits of sobriety, and how to celebrate the small milestones of recovery on her page.
Creative Sobriety | @creativesobriety
Creative Sobriety is proof you don't have to give up your unique sparkle or shine when you decide to give up booze. Kristen Bear is a Tennessee native whose mission is to connect with and support other sober creatives. On Creative Sobriety, Kristen shares anecdotes from her personal journey to getting sober in the hope to crush the stigma around creatives who leave their relationship with alcohol behind. She also features guest speakers on her podcast, where she drops truth bombs about recovery and provides relatable content related to alcohol-free living.
Sassy Sober Mum | @sassysobermum
Teri is a mother of 3 from the United Kingdom who is committed to sharing honest stories about alcohol and sobriety. After deciding enough was enough, she made the decision to quit drinking in her 40s and is currently working on a book about her life in recovery. On Sassy Sober Mum, you can find content about Teri’s experience as an alcohol-free mother, insightful tips for quitting drinking, as well as sober book and podcast recommendations. Teri also operates her own podcast called Sober Stories From Everyday People where she interviews others about their experience in sobriety and recovery.
Abi Feltham | @abi.feltham
Getting sober doesn't mean you can't have a good laugh. A writer originally from the U.K., Abi shares her personal account of getting sober with raw honesty and searing humor. On Abi's account, you'll find her alternating between content like comical reels about the realities of life in recovery and vulnerable confessions about her experience with drugs and alcohol. Through this sense of realness, Abi has built a community of 83k+ supporters and continues to inspire others to change their relationship with substance use and build a life they don't want to run away from.
James Swanwick | @jamesswanwick
Former ESPN SportsCenter anchor and Hollywood correspondent James Swanwick now works as an author, speaker, coach, and investor focused on helping others commit to sober living. James works primarily with entrepreneurs and executives, but he has coached thousands to take ownership of their drinking habits and take their power back. His Instagram page highlights interview clips and content that focuses on the benefits of removing alcohol from your life, as well as recommendations for biohacking your sobriety.
Africa Brooke | @africabrooke
Africa Brooke is a consultant, mentor, and writer who speaks openly about her sobriety and journey to a life free of self-sabotage. Her Instagram page provides an intimate and open-minded forum for others to share their experiences while also sharing content that inspires empowerment and encourages others to shift their mindset. In her Instagram stories you’ll find musings about her life since getting sober, her experience as a creative, and truth-bombs about topics like self-censorship and shame. Oh, and tea. There’s lots and lots of tea.
Jen Lee Hirst | @jenleehirst
Jen Hirst, founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, got sober in 2013 and never looked back. A personal coach and speaker, this mom of two self-describes as an anxious perfectionist and ex-workaholic who justified her drinking because she didn’t “look” like a traditional substance abuser. On her page, you can find personal accounts of her recovery journey, actionable tips, and posts about alcohol-free parenting. The content she shares is motivational and wellness-focused, encouraging others to reframe their relationship with alcohol and reclaim the life they deserve.
I Am Shari Hampton | @iamsharihampton
After 35 years of life-disrupting drug and alcohol abuse, Shari Hampton committed to sobriety in February 2015. Now, as a life coach, consultant, and speaker, Shari helps others who are struggling on their path to getting sober. Shari is also the founder of Served Up Sober, a non-profit that promotes holistic healing and provides resources for women of color in recovery. Her Instagram page features personal content about her life in sobriety, confidence-boosting mindset shifts, and practical advice for others who are looking to change their relationship with drugs or alcohol.
The Sobriety Shift | @thesobrietyshift
Jody Ventura is the power and the name behind Empowered Sobriety with Jody, or The Sobriety Shift on Instagram. On her page, Jody seeks to build a community that promotes confidence and authenticity in recovery. Her content encourages others to zoom out and create space between alcohol and themselves through her personal anecdotes about recovery and focus on wellness and mental health.
Did you know The Walker Center is also on Instagram? You can find testimonials, resources, and more sobriety content by giving our page a follow.
While Instagram can be a great tool to have under your belt, it is not a substitute for therapy or working with a recovery professional. If you’re ready to transform your relationship with drugs and alcohol, find out which treatment plan is right for you or give us a call today at 1-800-227-4190.
All views expressed by these creators are their own and do not constitute the endorsement of The Walker Center.
