There may be an assumption that a sobriety community would involve discussing various tea blends, candle varieties, and how best to go to bed at 9:00. That is a misconception. Falling off the wagon is a very natural part of getting clean. Most people who quit any drug go through a process of relapse before they are off for good, and the difference between a relapse being a small bump in the road and >two months of peril can be having a non-judgemental place to discuss it. In addition, many who decide to quit do so after a long period of self-reflection and consideration, in which non-judgemental discussions of methods and lifestyles may be just the thing they need to work up the courage.

Flawwed as NA and AA are, the pandemic has made it a lot tougher to get to meetings, and those meetings help. Being able to talk about it to listeners who have a little understanding helps. And helping people keep a clear head and keep their goals in focus can be the difference between a good and a bad year; it can be the difference also between suicide and life for those whose method of choice is slow poison.

A sober community would need to be:

• Entirely non-judgemental of drug abuse. Drug use is not moral failing, and doing drugs makes you cool and feels good. Anyone who has had a drug problem can smell through DARE demonization shit and only they can know their personal reasons for needing to stop, which will differ from person to person. Additionally someone who is quitting one thing may still use another, and shouldn't be made to feel a villain for that. Additionally, 'addict' is not a pathology or identity, it is a description of a behavior.

• Free of any advocacy of drug use. Judgement is bad, but people seeking help with their problems need encouragement. Drugs are bad for your health and this would be a pro-health community.

• Non-default

• Modded by at least one person with perhaps a degree or some shit

• headed by a pinned megalist of resources