Living Sober Isn’t About Not Drinking
“God willing, we may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day.”
That’s where I stopped reading last night, and it was enough. That line from Bob P.’s story in the Big Book (page 554) says more in one sentence than most of us could in an hour.
When I first came into AA, I thought sobriety meant the absence of alcohol. I’ve come to learn it’s something much deeper—sobriety is the presence of growth. What builds and sustains that growth? Three things that weren’t on the label but became essential to the process:
• Spiritual growth – not perfection, just direction. A willingness to lean into something bigger.
• Self-awareness – the hard look in the mirror and the gift of fearless inventory.
• Authentic human connection – real relationships built on honesty, shared experience, and humility.
Living sober is not about white-knuckling it. It’s about becoming someone new, one surrendered day at a time.
Drinking was the escape. Sobriety is the return—to life, to truth, and to others.
About Jason Bresnehan
Jason is the founder of Evahan, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build both financial and legacy wealth. With over 30 years of leadership across sectors and continents, he brings commercial acumen, strategic insight, and lived experience to every engagement. His work spans business transformation, venture management, and M&A, always grounded in a belief that ideas—shared with clarity, balance, and respect—can improve individuals, families, communities, and society.
A strong advocate for freedom, limited government, and enterprise-driven progress, Jason also draws deeply from his personal recovery journey—an experience that reshaped his life and fuels his commitment to growth, contribution, and principled living. Through writing, speaking, and service, he continues to learn, share, and speak with purpose.
I can be engaged (on a remunerated or volunteer basis) to sit on Boards, Committees, Advisory and Reference Group Panels, and to speak to Business, Community, and Youth groups. I’m also open to providing comment to media on topics where I have relevant experience or insight. Please feel free to make contact.