Uncorked, a memoir
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Graduation Year
2024
Writing Track
Creative Nonfiction
Degree
Master of Fine Arts
Program
Creative Writing
Program Director
Judy Halebsky, PhD
First Reader
Kim Culbertson
Second Reader
Marianne Rogoff
Description
I wrote UNCORKED, my memoir, to help others who are sober-curious, newly sober, or just having trouble hanging onto their sobriety. It is the book I wished I’d had when struggling through early sobriety, a companion to help get through the rough spots and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Getting sober is the (relatively) easy part. Staying sober is the hard part – even harder is emotional sobriety, learning to manage your emotions in a healthy way to avoid relapse. In this book I laid bare my innermost thoughts and fears as I fought my way through the early days, weeks, and months of sobriety. I share my process of establishing a new identity through the help of therapy and AA. The recovery process was like crawling over broken glass naked – one I never want to relive – but wo worth it. I will always be grateful that I made it to the other side, and I’m happy to share my experience, strength, and hope through this book.