Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love
- Downloads：1950
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-03-27 06:51:41
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Amanda E. White
- ISBN：0306925850
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
In this honest discussion of mental health， the founder of Therapy for Women explores our reasons for drinking alcohol—and the benefits of taking a break。
When “retired party girl” and popular therapist Amanda White admitted she was an alcoholic， it wasn’t because she’d done something outrageous while under the influence， like land herself in jail or get married in Vegas。 It was because she realized three things: 1。 Alcohol was making her life worse。 2。 Moderation wasn’t helping。 3。 She could not be a therapist if she continued to use alcohol to numb her life。 Something needed to change—not just her relationship with alcohol， but her relationship with herself。
Choosing not to drink can be daunting。 It’s everywhere in our culture， our socializing， and our destressing。 And it can seem black or white: you drink， or you don’t （and if you don’t， people ask why）。 That’s where Not Drinking Tonight comes in。 Judgement-free and relatable， Amanda helps you unpack your relationship with alcohol by showing you how to:
Find out why you drink。 Whether it’s a glass of wine after work or a weekly bar crawl， your drinking habits can be the result of everything from biology to trauma。
Heal your relationship with alcohol。 Understand how your relationships have been affecting your life， and learn how to set boundaries and create true self care。
Build the sober life you love。 Learn what comes next—how to maintain your social life， navigate sex and relationships， and love yourself。
Not Drinking Tonight isn’t a program to stop drinking。 It’s the first book to help you address the root issues that cause you to reach for a drink， and create a life you love—one that is not perfect， but is messy and real and one you are fully present for。
When “retired party girl” and popular therapist Amanda White admitted she was an alcoholic， it wasn’t because she’d done something outrageous while under the influence， like land herself in jail or get married in Vegas。 It was because she realized three things: 1。 Alcohol was making her life worse。 2。 Moderation wasn’t helping。 3。 She could not be a therapist if she continued to use alcohol to numb her life。 Something needed to change—not just her relationship with alcohol， but her relationship with herself。
Choosing not to drink can be daunting。 It’s everywhere in our culture， our socializing， and our destressing。 And it can seem black or white: you drink， or you don’t （and if you don’t， people ask why）。 That’s where Not Drinking Tonight comes in。 Judgement-free and relatable， Amanda helps you unpack your relationship with alcohol by showing you how to:
Find out why you drink。 Whether it’s a glass of wine after work or a weekly bar crawl， your drinking habits can be the result of everything from biology to trauma。
Heal your relationship with alcohol。 Understand how your relationships have been affecting your life， and learn how to set boundaries and create true self care。
Build the sober life you love。 Learn what comes next—how to maintain your social life， navigate sex and relationships， and love yourself。
Not Drinking Tonight isn’t a program to stop drinking。 It’s the first book to help you address the root issues that cause you to reach for a drink， and create a life you love—one that is not perfect， but is messy and real and one you are fully present for。
Reviews
Kate Fifield
，
This book is an extremely handy， practical， user friendly guide to a healthy， balanced life—whether you drink or not。 In fact， huge chunks of the book don’t mention alcohol at all， which should not come as a surprise to anyone who views the project of sobriety as realizing yourself as a whole person。 If you traffic in podcasts or books on neuroscience， addiction， mindfulness， etc。， much of the book’s contents will be repeat information。 But the bite-sized chapters and bulleted lists in each help This book is an extremely handy， practical， user friendly guide to a healthy， balanced life—whether you drink or not。 In fact， huge chunks of the book don’t mention alcohol at all， which should not come as a surprise to anyone who views the project of sobriety as realizing yourself as a whole person。 If you traffic in podcasts or books on neuroscience， addiction， mindfulness， etc。， much of the book’s contents will be repeat information。 But the bite-sized chapters and bulleted lists in each help the reader easily move from information to action。 I think this book will make for an excellent resource and reference。 。。。more
Mary Torgan
，
Wonderful guide to setting healthy boundaries。 Gave me insights as to why I drink or engage in other addictive behaviors。 This book can benefit anyone， regardless of their relationship with alcohol。
Luiza Siqueira
，
muito interessante！ gostei que é bem didático， com exercícios práticos e muitos exemplos de situações da vida real。 fiquei com vontade de ler mais sobre o assunto。
Cady Lowery
，
Would read to my Great Aunt Rose。
Samantha King
，
Such a good read for anyone curious about being sober， anyone who has been impacted by alcohol use or who wants to understand how alcohol use impacts each of our lives。
Jess
，
Even if you don’t have a disordered relationship to alcohol， this book is a game changer。 From understanding shame and trauma to setting boundaries and taking care of your self， White covers a lot of ground in an accessible and engaging way。
Lori Nanan
，
This book is helpful for anyone who is sober curious or just looking for more information about alcohol use。 It also does a great job at humanizing those struggling with their alcohol use and its effects on overall Quality of life without being at all preachy or judgement。
Reese
，
This was a book about reevaluating your relationship with alcohol and its role in your life; but， it was also - maybe even more so - a book about trauma and how our bodies and minds handle stress with a lot of examples specifically related to alcohol。 There were a number of sections I skimmed through or glossed over because they didn't relate to me， but then I would find myself stopping mid-skim because there was something that felt like it was speaking directly to me。 A short， easy read that I' This was a book about reevaluating your relationship with alcohol and its role in your life; but， it was also - maybe even more so - a book about trauma and how our bodies and minds handle stress with a lot of examples specifically related to alcohol。 There were a number of sections I skimmed through or glossed over because they didn't relate to me， but then I would find myself stopping mid-skim because there was something that felt like it was speaking directly to me。 A short， easy read that I'd recommend to anyone that has any interest in this topic。 。。。more
Kris Patrick
，
Self-care is about taking care of your future self。 Love it！
Amy
，
I found this book so insightful。 I have recently made the decision to go sober and this book was extremely helpful in helping me navigate my sobriety and my next steps。 It doesn't just focus on sobriety， however。 It covers topics such as self care and boundaries and I'm already putting things i've learnt in to use！ Amazing！ I found this book so insightful。 I have recently made the decision to go sober and this book was extremely helpful in helping me navigate my sobriety and my next steps。 It doesn't just focus on sobriety， however。 It covers topics such as self care and boundaries and I'm already putting things i've learnt in to use！ Amazing！ 。。。more
Mary Hildebrand
，
super helpful！I felt like I was in therapy while reading this book。 I’ve learned so much and feel so much more equipped now to confront my struggles。
Mary Frances
，
Fantastic dry January read。 It was a lot less about drinking and more about the why and how we’ve evolved as humans to manage stress and react to the world around us。 It has made me much more aware。 Would recommend to anybody who wants to get a little introspective
Stephanie
，
I’ve followed Amanda’s work on Instagram， and I believe she is a gifted therapist。 Due to being a therapist myself， I found a lot of the information in Not Drinking Tonight redundant。 However， the book was helpful as I reflected on my motivation for drinking！ Additionally， Amanda provides the stories of three women， and I believe there is such power in storytelling。 While I did not fully connect with the stories， I do think this book is such an incredible resource！ I wish more people had access I’ve followed Amanda’s work on Instagram， and I believe she is a gifted therapist。 Due to being a therapist myself， I found a lot of the information in Not Drinking Tonight redundant。 However， the book was helpful as I reflected on my motivation for drinking！ Additionally， Amanda provides the stories of three women， and I believe there is such power in storytelling。 While I did not fully connect with the stories， I do think this book is such an incredible resource！ I wish more people had access to the information contained within these pages。 While I only gave three stars as it relates to practical use in my own life， I would give this five stars for those who do not have access to therapy or are in need of assistance in reflecting on their motivations for drinking。 。。。more
marta the book slayer
，
Don't let the title fool you， this is an overall great self-help book with some specific examples to alcohol。 rtc Don't let the title fool you， this is an overall great self-help book with some specific examples to alcohol。 rtc 。。。more
Callie
，
The imaginary therapy clients have aspects many people can relate to， even if they don’t come across totally realistically。 The book has specific examples and scripts for setting boundaries and declining drinks。 While how relatable it is will vary according to the reader’s situation， it provides a thoughtful look at the multiple factors relating to views about and use of alcohol and encourages readers to look at how various parts of their lives relate to their relationship with alcohol。
Victoria （Latte Nights Reviews）
，
I really loved this book。 It explains things in an easy to understand manner， and has a lot of good information that is helpful to all， not just those who want to quit drinking。 This is a book I'll return to in the future and share with clients。 I really loved this book。 It explains things in an easy to understand manner， and has a lot of good information that is helpful to all， not just those who want to quit drinking。 This is a book I'll return to in the future and share with clients。 。。。more
Jennifer V
，
This book is more than a book about sobriety。 There's a lot in here about body image， shame， boundaries， mindfulness， and regulating emotions。It was interesting to read her perspective on how our brains and bodies work in regards to triggers versus tolerance。 The author lays out a strong case for not drinking but is also clear that the readers should do their own cost/benefit analysis based on their individual circumstances。 Also， if you're cutting out alcohol。。。be mindful of what you're putting This book is more than a book about sobriety。 There's a lot in here about body image， shame， boundaries， mindfulness， and regulating emotions。It was interesting to read her perspective on how our brains and bodies work in regards to triggers versus tolerance。 The author lays out a strong case for not drinking but is also clear that the readers should do their own cost/benefit analysis based on their individual circumstances。 Also， if you're cutting out alcohol。。。be mindful of what you're putting in it's place。I really felt that there was no shame or judgement in her writing。 The book is an easy read as it's a bit of a compilation of both new and familiar ideas。 The best thing about it is the treasure trove of resources at the end。 。。。more
Taylor Jenkins
，
I’ve never considered being sober before and this book has provided me with so much knowledge and insight。 Even if you aren’t looking to become sober， I think this is a great book to read if you’re interested in learning about setting boundaries and about the ways that alcohol effects your relationships， body， and mind。
Tessa
，
Everyone should read this regardless if you're sober curious or not， lots of this book focuses on therapy and trauma responses and how to create a life you want to be present in - instead of escaping through alcohol， food， shopping etc。 Everyone should read this regardless if you're sober curious or not， lots of this book focuses on therapy and trauma responses and how to create a life you want to be present in - instead of escaping through alcohol， food， shopping etc。 。。。more
Cassandra
，
I struggled a little with this book。 I know the author tried to create 3 generic but relatable 'clients' but none of them were。 All super young （even the mom） and I never resonated with their stories。 That said， there was some good content in here。 I felt like at times it was a little to clinical given the subject and what she was trying to accomplish but lots of resources and big picture content。 I am glad I read this but it wouldn't be my go-to if someone asked for a book on this subject。 I struggled a little with this book。 I know the author tried to create 3 generic but relatable 'clients' but none of them were。 All super young （even the mom） and I never resonated with their stories。 That said， there was some good content in here。 I felt like at times it was a little to clinical given the subject and what she was trying to accomplish but lots of resources and big picture content。 I am glad I read this but it wouldn't be my go-to if someone asked for a book on this subject。 。。。more
Maura Partridge
，
I really enjoyed this！ Although I’m not seeking sobriety， it was so interesting to hear about some of the science behind alcohol consumption and the impacts it has on so many things， especially sleep！ That really for home for me as someone who likes to “relax” with a glass of wine occasionally。 I totally recommend！
The Hobbyist
，
Thank you net galley for the ARC in return for an honest review。Wonderfully written。 No judgement， just pure honest information to guide the reader in evaluating their alcohol consumption and reasons they drink。 This may be an annual re-read for perspective and reflection。 Touches on so much more than just alcohol。
Lowrie
，
Overall I'd recommend this book。 She has some interesting insight and easy steps to follow during sobriety。 I was hoping for a little more new information because I find her work on instagram pretty innovative。 Most of this is information I've read elsewhere （albeit packaged nicely）。 There's also a lot that doesn't relate to drinking， which is fine and makes sense somewhat， but I don't think that's clear in the description。 I think this book is a good choice for people who haven't read a lot of Overall I'd recommend this book。 She has some interesting insight and easy steps to follow during sobriety。 I was hoping for a little more new information because I find her work on instagram pretty innovative。 Most of this is information I've read elsewhere （albeit packaged nicely）。 There's also a lot that doesn't relate to drinking， which is fine and makes sense somewhat， but I don't think that's clear in the description。 I think this book is a good choice for people who haven't read a lot of the other books out there about how drinking/sobriety relates to personal growth。 。。。more
Jessica
，
This book is great！ Definitely recommended for anyone struggling with alcohol， interested in examining their relationship with alcohol， or even people who are just sober curious！ I also think this could be an especially helpful resource for anyone who treats clients or patients struggling with alcohol abuse and/or addiction。 I am sure I will come back to this book more than once throughout my career。 I really appreciated the perspective as it felt free from moral judgement and stigma， while rema This book is great！ Definitely recommended for anyone struggling with alcohol， interested in examining their relationship with alcohol， or even people who are just sober curious！ I also think this could be an especially helpful resource for anyone who treats clients or patients struggling with alcohol abuse and/or addiction。 I am sure I will come back to this book more than once throughout my career。 I really appreciated the perspective as it felt free from moral judgement and stigma， while remaining honest and gentle。 highly recommend！ 。。。more
Jenny
，
As an IG follower of the author， a therapist and newly alcohol free individual， I thought this book was excellent。 I love how Amanda interweaves her clients’ stories as well as her own personal experiences throughout the book。 I think it’s a great read and recommend to anyone interested in therapy and/or self-help even if you are not sober curious。 There is a ton of useful and practical information regarding boundaries， mindfulness and emotional regulation。
Natalie
，
I enjoyed the themes of this book， especially as a female reader。 It gives you a lot of good tools to drink less and to quit drinking if you choose。 It’s not for someone needing convincing to stop drinking or for someone with serious alcoholism。 I believe it’s for someone who wants to stop or moderate through their own fruition。 Overall， this book does a good job highlighting how so much of our lives are intertwined with feeling like we need to drink and understanding how to combat that societal I enjoyed the themes of this book， especially as a female reader。 It gives you a lot of good tools to drink less and to quit drinking if you choose。 It’s not for someone needing convincing to stop drinking or for someone with serious alcoholism。 I believe it’s for someone who wants to stop or moderate through their own fruition。 Overall， this book does a good job highlighting how so much of our lives are intertwined with feeling like we need to drink and understanding how to combat that societal pressure。 。。。more
Cayli Allen
，
Thank you so much @HBSOCIALCLUB for a copy of this book！ As someone who has chosen not to drink mainly due to health reasons， I found this book to be a great resource。 I appreciated the facts about alcohol and it’s affects on our brains and bodies — it really helped remind me why I am no longer drinking and made me feel assured this is the right decision for me right now。 Her advice on how to live in a world obsessed with alcohol while you’re sober （everything from dating to socializing at a wor Thank you so much @HBSOCIALCLUB for a copy of this book！ As someone who has chosen not to drink mainly due to health reasons， I found this book to be a great resource。 I appreciated the facts about alcohol and it’s affects on our brains and bodies — it really helped remind me why I am no longer drinking and made me feel assured this is the right decision for me right now。 Her advice on how to live in a world obsessed with alcohol while you’re sober （everything from dating to socializing at a work event） was so useful。 I also appreciated that this book was written by a licensed therapist and felt that Amanda delivered the facts and what skills she found useful to take into a sober life in an effective， digestible way that was backed by someone who has professional training in the field and can give advice。 This is so much more than a book about being sober and is truly a guide to living a life you love through reparenting yourself。 。。。more
Megan
，
I got this ALC from Libro。fm as an independent bookstore employee。 Been reading quite a bit of quit lit since quitting drinking 8 months ago。 Not Drinking Tonight focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of disordered drinking。 I appreciate the author doesn’t go heavily into their “rock bottom” or wild drinking stories as those can be a trigger for some。 A great point of view from a sober therapist。 I did not use the pdf workbook while listening but when I get the book and read again I I got this ALC from Libro。fm as an independent bookstore employee。 Been reading quite a bit of quit lit since quitting drinking 8 months ago。 Not Drinking Tonight focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of disordered drinking。 I appreciate the author doesn’t go heavily into their “rock bottom” or wild drinking stories as those can be a trigger for some。 A great point of view from a sober therapist。 I did not use the pdf workbook while listening but when I get the book and read again I will。 Haven’t found a book I’d recommend to friends yet， until this。 。。。more
Brittany
，
Read my full review here: https://www。between-bookends。com/2021。。。 Read my full review here: https://www。between-bookends。com/2021。。。 。。。more
Whitney
，