Exploring Sobriety

Exploring Sobriety

Share this post

Exploring Sobriety
Exploring Sobriety
Romanticizing Alcoholism
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Romanticizing Alcoholism

Reflecting on addiction and mental health in literature.

Benya Clark's avatar
Benya Clark
May 14, 2024
∙ Paid
2

Share this post

Exploring Sobriety
Exploring Sobriety
Romanticizing Alcoholism
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share
wooden armchair
Photo by Michelle Ding on Unsplash

I’ve just finished reading two mystery novels with an interesting parallel: Both featured a protagonist struggling with their mental health.

In one book, the main character was an alcoholic, and in the other, the lead was plagued by OCD and anxiety.

What interested me, however, was how differently the two authors wrote about mental health. One seemed to romanticize mental illness, while the other offered a far more realistic portrayal.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Exploring Sobriety to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Benya Clark
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More