# isthisforever.org > Here's my blog on navigating sobriety ## Posts - [Kids' Birthday Parties](https://isthisforever.org/113-2/): Since when did it become normal to have alcohol at children’s birthday parties? I recently came across an article in Parents magazine that stopped me in my tracks. It suggested that children’s birthday parties can be overwhelming for parents. Between the sensory overload of excited kids, endless games, and the constant rotation of weekend birthday celebrations, it’s understandable that adults might want something that feels like it’s for them, too. The article goes on to suggest that, depending on the atmosphere you’re trying to create, serving alcohol can be a great option because it allows the adults to have fun too. A party with drinks often takes on a more social vibe, where parents linger and chat, while a […] - [Cross Addiction](https://isthisforever.org/100-2/): I find it interesting that when I stopped drinking, it seemed like alcohol was replaced with other forms of escape. According to Sober.com, if you used alcohol to cope with mental or emotional struggles—like anxiety or depression—those symptoms can increase or change once you become sober. Some people are even diagnosed with underlying mental health conditions that had been masked by alcohol use, such as ADHD, PTSD, or OCD. They also discuss something called cross-addiction, which can happen with any substance or compulsive behavior—even behaviors that are generally considered healthy, like exercising or working. Some common alcohol replacements include: I can honestly say I’m […] - [Fourth of July](https://isthisforever.org/fourth-of-july/): Can we all agree that the Fourth of July is undeniably one of the biggest drinking holidays in the United States? According to Morning Consult survey data, nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults age 21 and older consider beer part of American tradition, while 63% say that “beer is as American as apple pie.” Funny—holidays are supposed to be about fun and celebration. This year feels especially significant as the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. But holidays aren’t always joyful for everyone. They can bring loneliness, stress, and anxiety—all emotions that […] - [Substances](https://isthisforever.org/substances/): Based on my last blog post, I think it’s important to talk about how substance use affects teenagers. Adolescence is one of the most critical periods of brain development, especially in the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. When teens experiment with alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine, it can lead to declining academic performance, an increased risk of addiction, and worsening mental health. Boston Children’s Hospital reports that alcohol use can impair memory and delay normal adolescent brain development. High school is hard enough without adding substances to the mix. Wanting to fit in, finding […] - [First Sip](https://isthisforever.org/first-sip/): Where to begin? Sobriety feels like the hardest thing to talk about right now, so I’ll start there. Giving up alcohol has been both a blessing and, at times, what feels like a curse. These first few months have been somewhat manageable—after those first few difficult weeks, that is. In the beginning, each day felt like I was losing a piece of myself. The upbeat, fun-loving mom, the promiscuous wife, the funny sister, and the wild daughter all seemed to disappear on March 31. My children are six, eight, and ten years old—good ages for spotting hypocrisy. Especially when, three years […] - [Is This Forever?](https://isthisforever.org/is-this-forever/): I apologize in advance for my writing style. It’s meant to captivate, but I’ve always preferred letting the words flow naturally. I may not use fancy vocabulary or perfect punctuation all the time, so please don’t crucify me. I hope this blog helps both of us. Connection is key. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, is my new sobriety date. I should mention that I’ve been sober before. Yes, I’ve relapsed before. If you don’t fail in life, are you really living? This is my third attempt at sobriety. My first was my longest, lasting two years. The second lasted a short eleven […] ## Pages - [Blog](https://isthisforever.org/blog/) ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/isthisforever.org/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)