FEATURED

Jan 9, 2026

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18 min read

Blow It All Up and Disappear Screaming

Part Two of our January 2026 (!) check-ins.

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CHECK-INS

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“Please Don’t Tell My Wife I Was Playing Kickball”: What It’s Like to Go to Rehab

Our readers tell their treatment center tales.

It Was as Bad as I Thought

Say goodbye to Daylight Savings and hello to . . . November check-ins

What It’s Like to Go to Rehab

The first day of the rest of your life.

Does It Get Better?

October check-ins are here, and we’re just asking for a friend . . .

The Small Bow Podcast

Writers, comedians, actors, and musicians share their darkest stories—success, addiction, shame, depression, grief—and how they made it through. New season in 2026.

INTERVIEWS

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Interview with a 51-Year-Old Sober Person: Carvell Wallace

“I don’t have to become perfect. I just have to get up every day and do the work to get better.”

Interviews with a Bunch of Older Sober People

A look back at another year of Sober Oldster questionnaires.

Interview with a 56-Year-Old Sober Person: Elizabeth Gilbert

“I honestly cannot think of anything about being in recovery that is harder than not being in recovery.”

Interview with a 54-Year-Old Sober Person: Rhett Miller

“It’s hard feeling isolated in a roomful of partying people, and the hilarious thing is that that’s my job.”

WHAT IT’S LIKE

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More on What It’s Like to Be Addicted to, Yes, Weed

“Plenty of people have a normal relationship with weed. Surely, this time, I can too?”

What It’s Like to Be Addicted to...Weed?

Is that even possible?

Heroin Is More Powerful Than the Love We Share

Another first-person essay on what it’s like to love an addict.

More on What It’s Like to Love an Addict

“When I consider what it must be like for him to feel that concern for other humans each day, I don’t have to wonder why it all became too much.”

ESSAYS

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Character Witness

by Jason Brown

Cold Blooded Old Times

“Once you’ve stopped anesthetizing yourself from reality you’re immediately forced to become present or die trying.”

Heroin Is More Powerful Than the Love We Share

Another first-person essay on what it’s like to love an addict.

Why 2% of Me Wants to be Sick Again

A love song for Andrea Gibson.

FEATURED

Blow It All Up and Disappear Screaming

EDITOR PICKS

Here’s to Hanging On by Our Fingernails

How to Be a Maniac Dipshit

Add Recovery to Your Inbox

CHECK-INS

“Please Don’t Tell My Wife I Was Playing Kickball”: What It’s Like to Go to Rehab

It Was as Bad as I Thought

What It’s Like to Go to Rehab

Does It Get Better?

The Small Bow Podcast

INTERVIEWS

Interview with a 51-Year-Old Sober Person: Carvell Wallace

Interviews with a Bunch of Older Sober People

Interview with a 56-Year-Old Sober Person: Elizabeth Gilbert

Interview with a 54-Year-Old Sober Person: Rhett Miller

WHAT IT’S LIKE

More on What It’s Like to Be Addicted to, Yes, Weed

What It’s Like to Be Addicted to...Weed?

Heroin Is More Powerful Than the Love We Share

More on What It’s Like to Love an Addict

ESSAYS

Character Witness

Cold Blooded Old Times

Heroin Is More Powerful Than the Love We Share

Why 2% of Me Wants to be Sick Again

Add Recovery to Your Inbox