I’m not on Reddit much, but a post in r/big law caught my attention:

“I know that, as a practical matter, no lawyer is going to come out to their firm as recovering or sober unless they’re forced to. But this path can be lonely, and it would be nice to have fellow lawyers to talk about the issue with (perhaps akin to r/stop drinking, but with a legal bent.”

I’ve written a bunch about the enormous benefits of true connection—having a group or even one person you can drop the guard with and say, “man, some days this is freaking hard” and they understand and have been there. Sometimes you want tips and strategies for particular situations, but often you just want to hear someone say something SO RELATABLE or to be able to say something that you know will be heard and understood by the people you’re talking to. That’s why more alcohol-free groups have popped up in recent years.

You likely wouldn’t be here if you already decided that AA was your jam, but, like me, you might still want SOME WAY of connecting with likeminded people, or at least to know that something is available. Sometimes I posted in online forums, and sometimes I hopped on a zoom just to listen to people talk about their experiences in 2 min allotments. Those connections got me through a day or a period when I needed that extra support.

But I’m wondering if people think there’s a still a gap in the options? Or if people want a particular bent? Maybe a space that focuses not just on quitting alcohol, but on disrupting the whole corporate culture around it? A space for professionals. For parents. For people who look “fine” from the outside but know something’s not right. A space where you don’t have to explain yourself.

I realize this is a brainstorm, but maybe something as simple as a zoom where people could trade strategies and experiences and hear from others in similar situations on a more regular basis. Our own war room to huddle, regroup, rally each other. It would be confidential, you could leave your camera off, use your real name or not. Up to you, as long as you’re honest and kind.