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The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: Everything in Moderation and other BS
Alcohol doesn’t discriminate, but it does trick many people into believing that they’re the only ones wrestling these demons.
This isn’t a typical story of someone hitting rock bottom and clawing their way to sobriety. It’s the story of a social drinker, fully immersed in our society’s rampant drinking culture, waking up to realize that life didn’t need to revolve around alcohol. It’s the story of a mom who decided she could buck convention and quit drinking before things got worse. It’s the story of a woman realizing she didn’t have to identify as an “alcoholic” to make a change and walk away from drinking for good.
Did Hadley have a problem? Absolutely, but she didn’t care if it was a problem worthy of a fancy label. She simply no longer wanted to feel ashamed of herself after drinking. She wanted to wake up each day to a life that was exactly how she had left it the night before. She wanted to feel good. Period. And now, she hopes to help other women realize they can do the same.
Highlighted are the hidden dangers of our pervasive drinking culture to help the reader realize that anyone can benefit from less (or no) alcohol. We don’t have to meet some dubious criteria in an online checklist and be labeled an alcoholic to benefit from quitting.
So many are trapped on the hamster wheel of over-indulgent social drinking. They’re following social conventions and are not physically dependent on alcohol. Still, they are drowning in booze, even if they might never teeter off the edge into the abyss of true addiction. This book aims to light the way for them by showing that life without alcohol is fulfilling and vibrant and providing practical lessons and tips for breaking free based on the author’s lived experiences.
She makes this choice seem as appealing as it is and shows an alternative to those who feel drinking is a necessary part of life. www.hadleysorensen.com
About the Author
Hadley resides in the Washington, DC, area with her husband and a house full of boys. She’s fluent in potty humor and depends on her dog, Maya, as the only other female in the house.
An avid runner and lifelong fitness enthusiast and coach until alcohol became a problem that she didn’t like. Riddled with shame and self-loathing, she felt like she was the only person experiencing these tumultuous feelings tied to booze, which made her feel broken and alone.
Now, she is a one-woman sobriety hype squad on social media.
This isn’t a typical story of someone hitting rock bottom and clawing their way to sobriety. It’s the story of a social drinker, fully immersed in our society’s rampant drinking culture, waking up to realize that life didn’t need to revolve around alcohol. It’s the story of a mom who decided she could buck convention and quit drinking before things got worse. It’s the story of a woman realizing she didn’t have to identify as an “alcoholic” to make a change and walk away from drinking for good.
Did Hadley have a problem? Absolutely, but she didn’t care if it was a problem worthy of a fancy label. She simply no longer wanted to feel ashamed of herself after drinking. She wanted to wake up each day to a life that was exactly how she had left it the night before. She wanted to feel good. Period. And now, she hopes to help other women realize they can do the same.
Highlighted are the hidden dangers of our pervasive drinking culture to help the reader realize that anyone can benefit from less (or no) alcohol. We don’t have to meet some dubious criteria in an online checklist and be labeled an alcoholic to benefit from quitting.
So many are trapped on the hamster wheel of over-indulgent social drinking. They’re following social conventions and are not physically dependent on alcohol. Still, they are drowning in booze, even if they might never teeter off the edge into the abyss of true addiction. This book aims to light the way for them by showing that life without alcohol is fulfilling and vibrant and providing practical lessons and tips for breaking free based on the author’s lived experiences.
She makes this choice seem as appealing as it is and shows an alternative to those who feel drinking is a necessary part of life. www.hadleysorensen.com
About the Author
Hadley resides in the Washington, DC, area with her husband and a house full of boys. She’s fluent in potty humor and depends on her dog, Maya, as the only other female in the house.
An avid runner and lifelong fitness enthusiast and coach until alcohol became a problem that she didn’t like. Riddled with shame and self-loathing, she felt like she was the only person experiencing these tumultuous feelings tied to booze, which made her feel broken and alone.
Now, she is a one-woman sobriety hype squad on social media.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 20, 2024
The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking by Hadley Sorenson is a much-needed, refreshing take on sobriety. I'm so thankful for her perspective and found much of what she said incredibly relatable. As a mom, I made the decision for myself and my kids to give up "mommy juice" and love to see others who have been on this journey too.
What I loved most about this book is that it doesn’t push the narrative that your life has to be in shambles or that you need to have a major drinking problem to make the choice to stop drinking. Sorenson presents a perspective that’s relatable and empowering, especially for those who simply recognize that alcohol just doesn’t work for them anymore.
Hadley’s approach is non-judgmental, insightful, and filled with real-life examples that make you feel seen and understood. It’s not about hitting rock bottom; it’s about realizing that you want something better for yourself, and this book provides practical guidance on how to navigate social settings, relationships, and the internal changes that come with deciding to live alcohol-free.
What I loved most about this book is that it doesn’t push the narrative that your life has to be in shambles or that you need to have a major drinking problem to make the choice to stop drinking. Sorenson presents a perspective that’s relatable and empowering, especially for those who simply recognize that alcohol just doesn’t work for them anymore.
Hadley’s approach is non-judgmental, insightful, and filled with real-life examples that make you feel seen and understood. It’s not about hitting rock bottom; it’s about realizing that you want something better for yourself, and this book provides practical guidance on how to navigate social settings, relationships, and the internal changes that come with deciding to live alcohol-free.
July 7, 2024
Took the Words Out of My Mouth
I feel like she was in my own head and experiences with alcohol. From every emotion and morning after of failed moderation and all the years of telling myself “this is it”. What a therapeutic read for high achieving, “grey area” drinkers that have felt like they struggle silently because they aren’t “bad enough” but the wave of negative emotions that are felt after a night of binge drinking often tells us otherwise. Thank you for being so relatable and vulnerable.
I feel like she was in my own head and experiences with alcohol. From every emotion and morning after of failed moderation and all the years of telling myself “this is it”. What a therapeutic read for high achieving, “grey area” drinkers that have felt like they struggle silently because they aren’t “bad enough” but the wave of negative emotions that are felt after a night of binge drinking often tells us otherwise. Thank you for being so relatable and vulnerable.
September 22, 2024
I'm so glad Hadley wrote this book! She tells her story about early on worrying about her drinking, even though she "drank like everyone else". She didn't have any negative life circumstances, no DUI or rock bottom moment, but a still small voice inside her told her something wasn't quite right about her drinking. She chose the hard work of making a change and reveals the dirty truth behind social drinking. I've read a lot of "quit lit" and this one is destined to be a classic for gray area drinkers.
August 12, 2024
So relatable and honest!
Hadley is well written, honest, and vulnerable in this book about her sobriety. She opened my eyes to the fact that the old concepts of "alcoholism" are outdated. It is more complicated, yet simpler than that. I related to so many situations and notions in this book that I lost count. It's a must read if you're questioning your relationship with alcohol!
Hadley is well written, honest, and vulnerable in this book about her sobriety. She opened my eyes to the fact that the old concepts of "alcoholism" are outdated. It is more complicated, yet simpler than that. I related to so many situations and notions in this book that I lost count. It's a must read if you're questioning your relationship with alcohol!
November 15, 2024
i struggled between 3-4 stars for this one, but ultimately gave 4 because i did find a lot of useful/noteable nuggets. i liked the perspective from this author of someone who hadn’t hit a stereotypical rock bottom, but was surprised to find it to be such a memoir feel. i don’t know why, as most books about someone quitting drinking are.
March 23, 2025
Very thought provoking... Might read again
January 23, 2026
Very informative
June 20, 2024
I particularly love Hadley’s book because it presents another point of view about the American drinking culture and how one can break free from its grip without having to identify as an alcoholic.
This isn’t the usual tale of an individual having to hit rock bottom before they find sobriety. Instead, it’s about a social drinker entrenched in our alcohol-driven culture who realized life didn’t have to revolve around drinking. This is the story of a mom who decided to quit before things worsened and learned she could walk away from alcohol for good. Hadley shares her insight and offers tips and tools that are encouraging and inspiring as opposed to judgemental.
This isn’t the usual tale of an individual having to hit rock bottom before they find sobriety. Instead, it’s about a social drinker entrenched in our alcohol-driven culture who realized life didn’t have to revolve around drinking. This is the story of a mom who decided to quit before things worsened and learned she could walk away from alcohol for good. Hadley shares her insight and offers tips and tools that are encouraging and inspiring as opposed to judgemental.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews