Why Sober Ocean
People are struggling to find support that actually fits them. I’ve been sober for over 19 years, and I’m still losing friends and colleagues to alcohol and substances. And we’re all losing time to screens - asynchronous time spent on our “phones” with less human interaction.
What’s missing
Twelve-step programs are great for abstinence and for building new routine. I’m grateful for AA, no question. I’ve run hundreds of meetings and I’ve attended thousands. For a lot of people in 2026, especially younger and more diverse people, the language doesn’t always feel welcoming, and I see fewer and fewer newcomers.
Individual and group therapy can be amazing, but the cost keeps people out. Between deductibles, premiums, and copays, it’s out of reach for many, and that’s if you HAVE decent insurance at all.
Then add doom scrolling, a new reliance on AI chatbots, and even some sobriety and moderation apps that keep us in an asynchronous content experience. We’re more isolated than ever.
Do we really need another app, podcast, or follow in the algorithm? We need to connect synchronously with people who are navigating similar challenges. Research on peer support is promising. Reviews find it can improve outcomes and cut healthcare costs, and it costs far less to deliver than clinical care.
What Sober Ocean is
Free peer support meetings for anyone who wants less isolation and has a less than healthy relationship with alcohol, drugs, nicotine, social media or other behaviors. You don’t need to be in recovery or have a label or call yourself sober. Meetings are 45 minutes, live, and hosted by me. They are peer support, not treatment or therapy. There’s no pressure to speak, first names are fine, and what’s said stays in the room.
Who’s behind it
I’m Stephen. I’ve been sober for over 19 years. I’ve been a part of a phone addiction software company, behavioral health / mental health service models in healthcare operations, as well as AI Healthcare Governance best practices. I’ve been part of structured peer support since 2007 and I’m a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Join us
Group meetings:
Meeting schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays
12:05pm PT to 12:50pm PT
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86365965918
Not ready for a group? Book a free 30-minute 1:1: soberocean.org/one-on-one-consult
Not clinical care. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.
FAQ’s
What is this?
A free, donation-based peer support community. We host online meetings, short, focused, built around one thing: showing up for each other. We are not therapy. We are not clinical. We are not a program. We are a group of people connecting in times of challenge.
I’m also a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and I believe in meeting people where they are in their journey.
Who is this for?
Everyone that’s looking to connect with people that have been through the shit. You can define your own sobriety here. If you've been sober for years, welcome. If you’re trying to cut back on food or smoking or social media. Come on in. If you have mental health challenges, welcome. If you're California sober, welcome. If you're just trying to cut back on certain things, welcome. If you don’t want to define yourself within any of these constructs, welcome.
This is not about labels. Not about counting days, unless that helps you, and then it's great. Do that. We do not deal in shame, we’ve had enough of that in our lives… not here. We do not deal in judgment. This is not a program. This is not clinical. We are not therapists. This is a place of connection.
What are Sober Ocean 45s?
Our meetings are 45-minute topic-based meetings on Zoom, cross-talk conversational. Short enough for a break. Long enough to actually matter. Times and format may change based on what people want.
Why not a non-profit?
Why "Sober Ocean"?
Sobriety and the ocean have both been incredibly important parts of my life. It may sound like a silly name. I've surfed my whole life and I couldn't stop thinking about the name for years, so we're rolling with it. Living the human experience or recovery isn't a straight line - it's waves, storms, calm stretches, and open water. You learn to navigate, not control.
I'm bootstrapping this myself. Setting up a nonprofit would cost around six grand more that I don't have for this project right now. If this community grows and people show up and participate, I'll absolutely make it a non-profit. If we have participation in meetings or donations through the end of 2026 we can make this a non-profit anytime up until 27 months after summer of 2026 - and your donations will be retro-actively qualified for non profit tax deductible donation status. Our first goal is to just get traction and help people with peer support interaction (daily positive outcomes), and our second goal is to offer scholarships to uninsured or underinsured folks who need rehab services, sober living or childcare assistance. We want to be a resource on top of resources.
If you want to connect with people who are thoughtful, helpful, have been through some big battles, and have the scars to show for it - this is that place. Also learn some tips and tools. A place of connection and encouragement.