Highly Functioning Is Highly Dangerous

Alcoholism

How Running Changed My Sobriety

Dana Bowman on May 28, 2026

Personal Perspective: Running is a necessary part of my recovery. Adjusting my running goals due to menopause was just another step on my path of sobriety.

Personal Perspective: Running is a necessary part of my recovery. Adjusting my running goals due to menopause was just another step on my path of sobriety.

Menopause

When Body Image and Menopause Mix

Dana Bowman on April 9, 2026

I thought I had all my menopausal symptoms figured out. Little did I know that low body image would be next.

I thought I had all my menopausal symptoms figured out. Little did I know that low body image would be next.

Personal Perspectives

My Sobriety Is Not a Weight Loss Plan

Dana Bowman on March 3, 2026

Personal Perspective: For me, early sobriety was simple. My only goal was to go to bed sober every day. If I tried to make it into a weight loss plan, I would've lost my way.

Personal Perspective: For me, early sobriety was simple. My only goal was to go to bed sober every day. If I tried to make it into a weight loss plan, I would've lost my way.

Personal Perspectives

What My Recovery Has Taught Me About Seasonal Depression

Dana Bowman on December 17, 2025

Personal Perspective: Seasonal depression can mess with my sobriety. The key to enjoying this time of year is in my sober toolbox.

Personal Perspective: Seasonal depression can mess with my sobriety. The key to enjoying this time of year is in my sober toolbox.

Alcoholism

I Am Sober, and I’m the Crazy Cat Lady

Dana Bowman on October 27, 2025

Personal Perspective: When I first got sober, I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had lots of souls helping me on this journey, one of which was the four-footed variety.

Personal Perspective: When I first got sober, I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had lots of souls helping me on this journey, one of which was the four-footed variety.

Depression

In Sickness and in Health: Staying Sober Through Adversity

Dana Bowman on September 1, 2025

A Personal Perspective: As a sober woman, I wasn't ready for the level of depression I would experience in menopause. Here's how I dealt with it.

A Personal Perspective: As a sober woman, I wasn't ready for the level of depression I would experience in menopause. Here's how I dealt with it.

Boredom

How I Learned to Wait and Be Sober, at the Same Time

Dana Bowman on February 9, 2025

A Personal Perspective: Waiting is a necessary part of life, but it got a whole lot easier after I got sober.

A Personal Perspective: Waiting is a necessary part of life, but it got a whole lot easier after I got sober.

Gratitude

When Gratitude Turns Into Guilt

Dana Bowman on December 2, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Gratitude is good for us—but that doesn't always mean it's easy to practice.

A Personal Perspective: Gratitude is good for us—but that doesn't always mean it's easy to practice.

Alcoholism

The Introverted Alcoholic

Dana Bowman on September 24, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Alcoholism made introversion an easy way to escape people. My recovery and my job at the library helped change all that.

A Personal Perspective: Alcoholism made introversion an easy way to escape people. My recovery and my job at the library helped change all that.

Alcoholism

5 More Reasons Why I Kept Drinking

Dana Bowman on March 21, 2024

A Personal Perspective: I was in a lot of denial about my drinking. Thinking about why I quit has helped me stay sober.

A Personal Perspective: I was in a lot of denial about my drinking. Thinking about why I quit has helped me stay sober.

Personal Perspectives

Why I Quit Drinking

Dana Bowman on February 29, 2024

Personal Perspective: It's always good to revisit the brutal memories of my alcoholic drinking. They help me see how far I've come and remind me to be grateful.

Personal Perspective: It's always good to revisit the brutal memories of my alcoholic drinking. They help me see how far I've come and remind me to be grateful.

Menopause

Sober Menopause and Tinnitus

Dana Bowman on January 30, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Menopause and tinnitus challenged my recovery. And then my recovery helped me rise above the noise.

A Personal Perspective: Menopause and tinnitus challenged my recovery. And then my recovery helped me rise above the noise.

Addiction

Seasonal Triggers: Pumpkin Spice Lattes Can Mess With Me

Dana Bowman on September 29, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes the changing of the seasons can trigger me. Here is a five-step plan for recovery.

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes the changing of the seasons can trigger me. Here is a five-step plan for recovery.

Parenting

I Am a Sober Parent of Teenagers: One Day at a Time

Dana Bowman on August 7, 2023

Personal Perspective: Parenting is hard. Being a sober parent of teenagers is even harder. Here is my one rule that has worked for me.

Personal Perspective: Parenting is hard. Being a sober parent of teenagers is even harder. Here is my one rule that has worked for me.

Menopause

I Never Expected Menopause to Mess with My Sobriety

Dana Bowman on July 5, 2023

A Personal Perspective: I've been in recovery since 2011, and I never imagined menopause would mess with my sobriety.

A Personal Perspective: I've been in recovery since 2011, and I never imagined menopause would mess with my sobriety.

Introversion

Have You Ever Used Social Distancing to Shut Out the World?

Dana Bowman on April 30, 2021

Introverts: Are you leaning on social distancing a little too hard these days? It's time to get out there again.

Introverts: Are you leaning on social distancing a little too hard these days? It's time to get out there again.

Magical Thinking

I'll Quit on Monday: How Magical Thinking Can Work to Your Benefit

Dana Bowman on March 30, 2021

This behavior is fairly normal for people trying to break a bad habit.

This behavior is fairly normal for people trying to break a bad habit.

Alcoholism

How to Be Sober and Not Hate Your Spouse

Dana Bowman on February 24, 2021

Find yourself resenting your spouse who can drink? Here are some suggestions to help.

Find yourself resenting your spouse who can drink? Here are some suggestions to help.

Gratitude

Mental Health for the Holidays

Dana Bowman on November 25, 2020

Here's a new trick for practicing gratitude.

Here's a new trick for practicing gratitude.

Addiction

Why I Can't Watch Scary Movies Anymore

Dana Bowman on October 31, 2020

Why I can't watch scary movies anymore—and 2020 is only half of the reason.

Why I can't watch scary movies anymore—and 2020 is only half of the reason.