Ira Koivu's story

I developed the SOBERISTi® because, at one time, I was in dire need of a soberisti approach for my own alcohol addiction.

In the winter of 2011, I realized that an occasional glass of wine had turned into an everyday bottle. An innocent pleasure had become an escape from an everyday life that felt like a prison. In the morning, I woke up with intense feelings of anxiety and guilt, and I solemnly decided that today I would not drink. After work, I found my feet taking me home via the liquor store. How had I got myself into this situation where wine was taking the driver’s seat in my life? How could I get out?

 

Traditional methods of substance abuse treatment did not seem appropriate to me. Their message of eternal illness, the stigma of being an alcoholic, and the constant danger of relapse did not inspire me or help me change. On the contrary. The very thought of them increased my urge to reach for a glass of wine.

I read and studied scores of books and dissertations on addiction, sober stories, self-help literature, mindfulness and meditation guides, nutrition guides, stress management methods, psychology books, and self-management and life change guides.

 

In 2015, I freed myself from alcohol for good, and wrote a book about my experiences (Free from Wine – how life changes when you quit drinking, Viisas elämä 2016).

 

I finally got sober easily and happily. Sure, I was constantly working on myself, but that work was super exciting, rewarding and wonderful. I began to actively shape my own beliefs and thoughts, and build new routines that sustained the joy of sobriety and the freedom it brings. I learned to love myself and do good for myself. That recovery method I built for myself is the basis of the SOBERISTi® Method. It worked for me, and it’s proven to work for others like me.

 

Ira Koivu, Founder of SOBERISTi, Change Coach & Author of Free from Wine

Because I couldn't find an approach that suited me, I had to develop one myself.

In the winter of 2011, I realized that an occasional glass of wine had turned into an everyday bottle. An innocent pleasure had become an escape from an everyday life that felt like a prison. In the morning, I woke up with intense feelings of anxiety and guilt, and I solemnly decided that today I would not drink. After work, I found my feet taking me home via the liquor store. How had I got myself into this situation where wine was taking the driver’s seat in my life? How could I get out?

 

Traditional methods of substance abuse treatment did not seem appropriate to me. Their message of eternal illness, the stigma of being an alcoholic, and the constant danger of relapse did not inspire me or help me change. On the contrary. The very thought of them increased my urge to reach for a glass of wine.

Because I couldn't find an approach that suited me, I had to develop one myself.

The SOBERISTi® Method

We see alcohol-dependent people as individuals with their own everyday challenges and root causes for drinking. They have their own priorities that impact on what motivates them and what makes them engage. Traditional treatment works for some, but – as we know – not for everyone.

 

We use change management methods for self-motivation, positive psychology for shaping beliefs and thoughts, self-compassion for empowerment, mindfulness methods for stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy for root causes, and exercise and nutrition counselling for recovery.

The SOBERISTi® method

We see alcohol-dependent people as individuals with their own everyday challenges and root causes for drinking. They have their own priorities that impact on what motivates them and what makes them engage. Traditional treatment works for some, but – as we know – not for everyone.

 

We use change management methods for self-motivation, positive psychology for shaping beliefs and thoughts, self-compassion for empowerment, mindfulness methods for stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy for root causes, and exercise and nutrition counselling for recovery.

The SOBERISTi® method

We see alcohol-dependent people as individuals with their own everyday challenges and root causes for drinking. They have their own priorities that impact on what motivates them and what makes them engage. Traditional treatment works for some, but – as we know – not for everyone.

 

We use change management methods for self-motivation, positive psychology for shaping beliefs and thoughts, self-compassion for empowerment, mindfulness methods for stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy for root causes, and exercise and nutrition counselling for recovery.

The SOBERISTi Method takes a holistic approach to the problem

Drinking is just a consequence. The answer lies in the reasons why we drink.

Although alcohol is the second most addictive substance in the world, not all addicts are physically addicted to alcohol. And on the other hand: mental addiction can be strong even if you don’t get drunk regularly.

Alcohol is a problem when it feels like one.

Sober life is wonderful, and there is no need to hit rock bottom before you seek help. We see addiction as a symptom but not the root cause.

When we find and understand the root causes – why and for what need we started to medicate ourselves with alcohol – we can find the solution and recover 100%.

The Soberist method takes a holistic approach to the problem

Drinking is just a consequence. The answer lies in the reasons why we drink.

Although alcohol is the second most addictive substance in the world, not all addicts are physically addicted to alcohol. And on the other hand: mental addiction can be strong even if you don’t get drunk regularly.

Alcohol is a problem when it feels like one.

Sober life is wonderful, and there is no need to hit rock bottom before you seek help. We see addiction as a symptom but not the root cause.

When we find and understand the root causes – why and for what need we started to medicate ourselves with alcohol – we can find the solution and recover 100%.

The SOBERISTi® theses

  • There are no problem drinkers, there is only a problem called alcohol.
  • It is possible and advisable to give up alcohol, even if alcohol does not yet cause visible problems.
  • Quitting drinking can be easy and fun.
  • Life is more enjoyable without intoxicating substances.
  • You don't lose anything by giving up alcohol, instead, you gain more time, joy, energy, health, peace, creativity, color, and money in your life.
  • When you quit drinking, and free yourself from alcohol, you are sober, a SOBERISTi, an abstainer, a teetotaler, not an alcoholic who cannot drink. You are FREE.
  • A SOBERISTi is a person who enjoys life without substances and takes care of their body and mind comprehensively.

SOBERISTi® theses

  • There are no problm drinkers, there is only a problem called alcohol.
  • It is possible and advisable to give up alcohol, even if alcohol does not yet cause visible problems.
  • Quitting drinking can be easy and fun.
  • Life is more enjoyable without intoxicating substances.
  • You don't lose anything by giving up alcohol, instead, you gain more time, joy, energy, health, peace, creativity, color, and money in your life.
  • When you quit drinking, and free yourself from alcohol, you are sober, a SOBERISTi, an abstainer, a teetotaler, not an alcoholic who cannot drink. You are FREE.
  • A SOBERISTi is a person who enjoys life without substances and takes care of their body and mind comprehensively.

SOBERISTi® theses

  • There are no problem drinkers, there is only a problem called alcohol.
  • It is possible and advisable to give up alcohol, even if alcohol does not yet cause visible problems.
  • Quitting drinking can be easy and fun.
  • Life is more enjoyable without intoxicating substances.
  • You don't lose anything by giving up alcohol, instead, you gain more time, joy, energy, health, peace, creativity, color, and money in your life.
  • When you quit drinking, and free yourself from alcohol, you are sober, a SOBERISTi, an abstainer, a teetotaler, not an alcoholic who cannot drink. You are FREE.
  • A SOBERISTi is a person who enjoys life without substances and takes care of their body and mind comprehensively.

SOBERISTi® in the media:

Soberist podcast

The Soberisti podcast discusses soberism, a non-alcoholic lifestyle, with both experts and soberists.

 

There are 10 episodes of the Soberisti podcast.