It usually doesn’t start at night. It starts earlier — mid-afternoon, when nothing dramatic is happening. You’re answering emails. Wrapping up work. Maybe heading into the school pickup shuffle. And then the thought slides in, casual as anything: I might have a drink later.
Marci Hopkins doesn’t describe her early life as dramatic or unusual at the time — it was simply the environment her nervous system adapted to. “Living in a place of unease was normal for me,” she says. “A lot of that had to do with my upbringing.”
In a recent conversation on The One Day At a Time Podcast with host Arlina Allen, Sunnyside co-founder Nick Allen explored a question that sits quietly at the center of many people’s relationship with alcohol: Can I moderate my drinking? It’s a deeply personal question. And for many people, answering it honestly can lead to tons of genuine and helpful insight.
Closing the ten-year treatment gap requires a radical new approach that eliminates stigma and creates a welcoming, approachable front door for anyone who has the inkling they want to change their relationship with alcohol. An approach that meets individuals where they are, rather than assuming (or waiting for) rock bottom.
For Ada, a full-time content creator, beauty expert, and mom who works from home, drinking didn’t look dramatic. It looked like the end of the workday. Four or five p.m. rolls around. The laptop closes. The day’s done. Why not pour a glass? What actually changed the game for her? Tracking her drinks on the best drink tracking app: Sunnyside.
Why do so many people swear off drinking in the morning, only to find themselves drinking while hungover, or reaching for a drink days (or even hours) later? Well, if hangovers worked, they’d have worked by now.
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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