Hello @sophie55. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

@joeyjensen1959- Any period of sobriety after 30 years of use is truly remarkable—and 15 months is an incredible achievement. I’m sure your comment about some days being a challenge is an understatement.

@sisyphus has some great insights. I agree that making friends seems to get harder over time—though you'd think it would get easier with experience. Watching my kids strike up conversations and invite other kids to play, even if they've never met before, is a reminder that we can learn a lot from them.

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it’s connection."

This quote is often attributed to Johann Hari, a journalist and author who explores the roots of addiction. The idea is that addiction thrives in isolation, whereas recovery is supported and sustained through meaningful human connection—with others, with oneself, and with a sense of purpose or community. It's a powerful concept that reframes addiction not just as a chemical dependency but as a response to disconnection and emotional pain.

@joeyjensen1959, if you are comfortable doing so, can you share what you have learned over these last 15 months about recovery for you?

@sophie55- @dfb raised several points—was there one in particular that stood out to you?