The Sunday Sober Stories

Sobriety didn’t just change Danielle Moore’s life - it gave her a brand new one

This week I’m so excited to share 26-year-old Danielle’s inspiring journey. Danielle’s relationship with alcohol started like many of ours, using it to cope, to numb, to try and manage overwhelming feelings. But over time, what began as social drinking turned into daily dependence and eventually into something that threatened her life.

Since choosing sobriety in October 2023, Danielle has completely transformed her world. From toxic patterns and fear of losing friendships, to building new healthy routines, stronger relationships and a life she truly loves. Her story is a powerful reminder of how much is possible when you put the drink down.

1. Can you tell us a little about what your relationship with alcohol used to look like?

My relationship with alcohol used to be so toxic. I used it to cope with and mange my emotions. I couldn’t handle life and suffered with BPD, so used alcohol to numb all my intense feelings and mood swings. I went from drinking socially to drinking every day, which also lead me to using cocaine just as much.

2. What was your “enough is enough” moment — or did it happen more gradually for you?

My enough is enough moment was when I realised it was actually life and death. I was so depressed and suicidal I knew I had to make the decision to completely change my life or wait for it to end. I had intense therapy and my therapist said the first step for me MUST be to cut out alcohol completely. When I managed to do this, everything else started improving. Sobriety saved and transformed my life in every way, and I no longer present most BPD symptoms.

3. What were your biggest fears about stopping drinking? And did any of them come true?

My biggest fears of cutting out drinking was losing all my friends. However, I only lost ‘friends’ that drank and did drugs with me. My real friends I got even closer with. I also made so many new friendship groups as I found lots of new healthy hobbies.

4. How did the people around you react when you decided to stop drinking

Everyone around me was so supportive and happy that I had stopped drinking. I was so lucky to have so much support and positive reinforcement. People cannot believe how drastically going sober changed me as a person for the better.

5. What surprised you the most about sobriety — good or bad?

The most surprising thing about sobriety is how it affects every single aspect of your life, things you wouldn’t even expect. It is the foundation of all wellness.

6. What’s been the most helpful thing in staying sober (tool, mindset, habit, or support)?

The most helpful thing that helped me stay sober in the beginning was a new positive routine. Waking up early, exercising, writing gratitude lists etc. and counting my days. Now I don’t even think about trying to stay sober, it is completely natural. I am day 714.

7. Have your social life and relationships changed since becoming alcohol-free? If so, how?

My social life has changed in the sense I now do very different activities and events. But I am more social than ever and experience so many more interesting things. I am also in a really happy healthy relationship with someone who has decided not to drink either, as he saw how much better life is without alcohol through spending time with me.

8. What does self-care look like for you now that you’re not drinking?

Self-care is doing things that benefit your mind and body, not harm it. Long walks by the sea with a smoothie, bubble baths with a book, anything like that.

9. If you could go back and speak to yourself in those early days, what would you say?

I would tell myself that using alcohol to cope is not sustainable and the sooner you make the change, the quicker you can start living a fulfilled life again.

10. What’s one thing you want other women to know about life without alcohol?

I want other women to know you will feel more confident and in control than you ever have when you put the drink down.

You can follow Danielle on Instagram here: @danielle.soulbersense and TikTok here: @daniellessoberjourney