For years, I surrounded myself with yes-people and takers. That’s not a victim statement or a judgment. I was a yes-person and a taker, too. Alcohol was the most important thing in my life back then. It came before anyone or anything. I would say or do whatever I needed just to keep drinking, as long as no one tried to take the bottle away.

The truth is, I didn’t know what a good friend looked like because I wasn’t one. I put people I cared about in risky situations if it meant I could drink more, and I gravitated toward people who did the same to me.

Sobriety forced me to face that reality. And once I did, something beautiful happened: I genuinely wanted to become a better friend—and in return, I attracted better friends.

Being sober has taught me how to be present. I feel more connected, both spiritually and emotionally. I’ve tapped into a higher vibration, and in doing so, I’ve aligned myself with others who are living on that same wavelength.

If you’re feeling like your friendships aren’t supportive—or if you’re realizing you might not be showing up as the friend you want to be—take a look at the substance that ties those relationships together. Sometimes that alone reveals a lot about what’s real and what’s not.

I now work with young women who are newly sober and trying to find their footing in an alcohol-free life. Building a supportive community is absolutely essential. Sobriety can feel isolating at first, but leaning on people who genuinely want the best for you makes the transition so much easier.

The friends I have today carried me through some of the hardest moments in early sobriety. And if you choose to work with me, we can begin discovering your supportive, aligned, soul-nourishing tribe too.