My Sobriety Story with Rilee

“My trajectory was rock bottom, but I found my way out.”

This series showcases personal stories of addiction recovery and sobriety. Today’s edition features Rilee Wagner, an avid blogger, runner, and coffee connoisseur. In March 2025, at age 27, Rilee stopped drinking and began sharing raw reflections on life before and after sobriety, helping others struggling with alcohol reconnect with their authentic selves.

When and how did you get sober?

For most of my early and mid-20s, I danced with the devil of moderation. I thought that I didn’t have a drinking problem and justified this to myself because I had a college education, a great job, a home, and a car. I couldn’t possibly be an alcoholic. I went through stints of sobriety—taking a month off here or there, abstaining after a horrendous blackout. I had been in the back of a cop car, woken up in a hospital bed, and found myself lost and unaccounted for. I said heinous things and acted with no moral compass.

March 30, 2025, is when I stopped running from the truth. I stopped making excuses and finally got sober.

What was the turning point in your decision to get sober?

There were many situations I found myself in that should have been the end of my drinking career. But I always found an excuse, justification, or reason for why I did or said something, which of course made it all okay. I was the perfect description of Jekyll-and-Hyde drunk. Anytime I drank, I needed to get obliterated, and every time I got drunk, I turned into someone else.

It wasn’t until it started to affect my professional life. It wasn’t until I came face to face with losing the people who meant the most to me. It wasn’t until I almost lost it all—the job, the home, the family, the friends. My trajectory was rock bottom, but I found my way out.

What surprised you about getting sober?

Getting sober was hard. It was hard to walk away from the only life I knew. It was hard to break up with my most trusted confidante, to end it with my best friend and biggest cheerleader. The thing that consumed all my thoughts and time. The one there for me through the good moments and the bad nights.

I began to fear the future more than ever before: How will I experience my wedding without a champagne toast? How can I ever experience a music event again? How can I be an alcoholic at this age? How will I ever stay sober?

But let me tell you, the latter is beyond anything I could have imagined. I never expected my life to be and feel like it is today. I have a purpose. Every day, I feel more and more like my true self. Alcohol was my escape and muse, but I am learning to love myself and to feel the feelings I muted. I attend AA meetings and remember my why. I do not need to hide anymore.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered on your alcohol-free journey?

I think my biggest challenge has been standing up to society’s pressure and alcohol norms. I began blogging and sharing my story because I felt alone. I wanted to create a place for any young adult out there who is suffering to know that they can and will have support.

Alcoholism and being an alcoholic are taboo, but it doesn’t have to be. I am trying to help others see that you do not need to white-knuckle the cravings. You don’t need to hide your grief for the person you were. You don’t have to live in shame or fear.

What are the biggest benefits or gifts of sobriety?

The biggest gift of sobriety is being utterly and completely present. I am reliable. I can be trusted. I feel healthier. I have memories that I can actually look back on. I make every decision without question. I have new hobbies and new friendships. I get to live life each and every day knowing that I didn’t say or do anything I will regret. My life in sobriety is everything I thought I had in active addiction, and boy, was I oh so wrong.

What words of advice would you give someone who’s considering sobriety or newly sober?

You are never too young to be an alcoholic. Do not be scared. Do not do this alone. I truly can’t recommend enough that everyone find a community. Go to AA, therapy, church, or yoga. Get online. Blog or write. Get connected with people and do the work. It works if you work it.

Please say hello in the comments, and consider sharing your sobriety story.

Thank you for sharing, Rilee! We look forward to connecting with you in the comments.