For many, the word sobriety immediately brings to mind meetings, labels, and rules. Not so for psychotherapist and Sober Curiosity founder Jeanette Hu. For her, sobriety was never about conforming to a prescribed path.
Learning, improving, becoming more aware. Those instincts are usually praised—and for good reason. But there’s a version of self-improvement that doesn’t get talked about much. The kind that looks healthy on the surface but feels strangely heavy underneath.
More parents are questioning a habit that once felt automatic: the unspoken belief that alcohol is the fastest way to turn off a tired brain. Katie Nessel has seen this shift up close.
A Dryish January (or Dry January, or simply a more intentional month) doesn’t have to feel like punishment or recovery. It can feel clean, forward-looking, and surprisingly kind. When the pressure comes down, habits tend to stick more easily.
If you’re thinking about Dry January — or if you’re already in it — it helps to know this upfront: nothing needs fixing.
For a lot of people, stress drinking has very little to do with parties, celebrations, or even liking alcohol that much. It’s about relief. That’s why it can feel so automatic.
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About Sunnyside
Sunnyside is a comprehensive platform for building a healthier relationship with alcohol. We combine a behavior-change app, real human coaching, and Sunnyside Med — our Telehealth service where licensed providers can prescribe medication to help reduce alcohol cravings. Members using the Sunnyside app report an average 33% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption, and Sunnyside Med customers are reducing their drinking by nearly 50% on average — along with improved sleep, better mental clarity, and an overall improved sense of well-being.
What is Naltrexone? Naltrexone is a medication that works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and helps decrease cravings. Originally approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of alcohol dependence, Naltrexone has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce heavy drinking days and support long-term moderation. Sunnyside Med prescribes a compounded oral formulation containing Naltrexone as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes coaching, tracking, and ongoing medical support.
Sunnyside Med connects you with licensed medical providers who can prescribe compounded medication containing Naltrexone, an active ingredient that is FDA-approved to support alcohol moderation, through a private Telehealth process. Sunnyside Med is not a substitute for emergency services or inpatient treatment. If you are in crisis or experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or call 911. We are proud partners of Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.
Alcohol Moderation guides