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Hadley Sorensen

Breaking the Stigma: A Candid Conversation with Sobriety Advocate Hadley Sorensen

In a world where drinking culture is deeply ingrained in our social fabric, questioning our relationship with alcohol can feel isolating. However, sobriety advocate and author Hadley Sorensen is helping to change that narrative. In our recent podcast conversation, Hadley shared her inspiring journey from the mortgage industry to becoming a health and fitness coach, and ultimately, a passionate voice for sobriety. Her powerful insights challenge common misconceptions about alcohol and highlight the importance of self-awareness, community, and informed choices.

From Mortgage to Motherhood to Sobriety Advocacy

Hadley’s career path has been anything but linear. After spending years in the mortgage industry, she left the corporate world to focus on raising her children. However, the entrepreneurial spirit called, and she soon found herself thriving as a health and fitness coach. Despite her professional success, Hadley found herself struggling internally, wrestling with a relationship with alcohol that never quite felt right.

Though she wasn’t drinking daily, she recognized that alcohol had a larger hold on her than she wanted to admit. The turning point came in August 2021, when she woke up after a particularly rough night and decided it would be her last hangover. What followed was a transformative journey into sobriety that reshaped her identity and purpose.

The ‘Gray Area’ of Drinking

Hadley’s story sheds light on the concept of ‘gray area drinking’—a space between social drinking and full-blown alcohol addiction. This is a critical distinction because it challenges the conventional idea that one must hit rock bottom to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol. Many people, like Hadley, may drink in a way that society deems normal yet still feel uneasy about its role in their lives.

Her book, The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: Everything in Moderation and Other BS, delves into the cultural normalization of alcohol consumption and how misleading messages contribute to problematic drinking patterns. Hadley stresses that it’s never too early to listen to your intuition—if alcohol feels like it’s negatively impacting your life, that’s reason enough to reassess.

Breaking Free from Drinking Culture

Hadley describes how our society reinforces the belief that alcohol is the key to fun, relaxation, and social connection. From wine-themed decor to commercials promoting alcohol as a solution to stress, drinking is often framed as a necessary part of adult life. She points out that while the idea of ‘mommy wine culture’ seems harmless, it can also mask underlying struggles and prevent people from exploring alternatives.

By sharing her story openly, Hadley hopes to provide a relatable perspective for those questioning their own drinking habits. She encourages people to explore the growing ‘quit lit’ genre (literature focused on sobriety) and to seek out support communities, whether online or in-person.

The Impact on Family and Community

One of the most profound changes in Hadley’s life since quitting alcohol has been her relationship with her children. She recalls how they had already started noticing drinking culture around them—from party environments to the popularization of ‘mommy needs wine’ slogans. Now, her decision to embrace sobriety has opened the door to meaningful conversations with her teenage sons about alcohol and its impact.

By leading by example, Hadley is ensuring that her children grow up with a broader awareness of alcohol’s effects and are empowered to make informed decisions for themselves.

A Growing Movement Toward Sobriety

Hadley is optimistic about the future of sobriety awareness. The rise of alcohol-free alternatives, mocktail menus at restaurants, and high-profile advocacy from public figures show that the conversation is shifting. She notes that younger generations are drinking less, and organizations are starting to acknowledge alcohol’s health risks, such as its link to cancer.

She is currently working on her second book, a novel that explores different women’s experiences with alcohol, further illustrating the spectrum of drinking habits and their consequences. Additionally, she has several speaking engagements lined up, including a virtual sobriety summit in April and upcoming retreats where she will connect with others navigating sobriety.

Final Thoughts: We Can Do Hard Things

When asked about a guiding mantra, Hadley shared the simple but powerful phrase: We can do hard things. This mindset has carried her through the challenges of quitting drinking, writing her book, and stepping into her role as an advocate.

Her advice to those questioning their drinking? Trust your intuition. You don’t need to wait for a rock-bottom moment to make a change. If alcohol is making you feel uncomfortable in any way, that’s reason enough to explore alternatives.

Hadley’s story is a reminder that we all have the power to redefine our relationships with alcohol and to create lives filled with clarity, connection, and authenticity.

For more on Hadley’s work and to stay updated on her upcoming projects, visit HadleySorensen.com or follow her on Instagram.

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