Haler Smith Recovery Blog

Author: Haler Smith

January 4, 2026

Fear, Control, and the Illusion of Self-Reliance in Recovery

When I first got sober, I honestly believed I could think my way into staying sober. I figured if I just tried hard enough, stayed…
December 28, 2025

Why Is It That the Little Things in Life Drive Me to Drink?

Before I ever got sober, I used to wonder why the smallest things set me off. Big problems didn’t always push me toward a drink.
December 21, 2025

What Am I Running From?

For a long time, I thought the solution to my problems was changing my behavior. If I could just stop doing the things that caused…
December 14, 2025

Why Consistency Beats Intensity in Sobriety

For most of my drinking life, my attempts to stop always started the same way. Something would happen. I’d scare myself. I’d hurt someone. I’d…
December 7, 2025

“Give It Away to Keep It” — What Am I Really Giving Away?

When I first heard the phrase “give it away to keep it,” I nodded along like I understood it. It sounded right. It sounded wise.…
November 9, 2025

Beyond the Bottle: Trying Not To Self-Sabotage in Sobriety

When I stopped drinking, I thought the chaos would finally end and everything would feel better. And in a lot of ways, it did. But…
November 2, 2025

Beyond the Bottle: Rebuilding Relationships in Sobriety

When I got sober, I thought rebuilding relationships would just sort of happen on its own. I assumed if I stopped drinking and cleaned my…
October 26, 2025

Debunking Sobriety Myths: The Truth About Long-Term Recovery

When I first got sober, I heard a lot about relief. Freedom. Promises. Things getting better. And to be fair, many of those things happened.…
October 19, 2025

What to Expect When You Stop Drinking (5 Phases No One Warns You About)

What really happens after you stop drinking? Learn the 5 common phases of sobriety and how understanding them can prevent relapse.
October 12, 2025

Why Early Sobriety Feels So Hard (And Why That’s Normal)

Many people struggle emotionally after quitting alcohol. Learn why early sobriety feels difficult and why those feelings are a normal part of recovery.