Meet Ryan Whittaker!
Sober since:
August 14, 1997
I got clean when I was 15 years old in 1997! I started a company called Sober Water in 2024 to "Help people. End plastic." I donated 40 acres in Southern, CO for the purpose of building a low-cost or no-cost substance abuse treatment center. We have an a mazing company that gives back to society more than it takes and have plenty of room to grow in the ever increasing water market. Invest in people. Invest in water. Join us and become a shareholder at soberwater.org.
Can you share a bit about your journey with addiction and what led you to seek recovery?
I came from a very rough home life and started using at a young age. I wrote a book about my life and journey to recovery called "Clean At 15: Anyone From Anywhere, Can Get Clean, Anytime".
At what point did you realize that you needed help, and what was your turning point?
I realized I needed help when I found myself in rehab for a 3rd time in 1997 with a lengthy jail sentence. I could not stop using through my own power of will. I had extremely low self esteem and I was already suicidal by the age of 13.
What was the hardest part about admitting that you had a problem with addiction?
For me, knowing that there are two types of people in this world; addicts/alcoholics & non-addicts/non-alcoholics and that I will never be a non-addict/alcoholic.
Who or what had the greatest impact on your recovery, and why?
The people in the rooms of 12-step recovery and the people at the rehabs that I went to. They have and still have a tremendous impact on me, my choices and my life.
What challenges did you face in the early stages of recovery?
Getting to meetings (I got clean before I could drive, so skateboarding and walking to meetings to some effort but I made 88 meetings in 90 days!). The first few years and for many years after, I felt left out many times in my age group because I could not go to parties or hang out with people that were getting drunk or high without risking my recovery.
What are some daily habits that help you in your sobriety?
I read a lot. I read so much. I still continue to make meetings regularly and I have always had a sponsor. I do not gamble, go to strip clubs or regularly hang out in bars if I am not performing music or comedy. Hanging out in coffee shops during the day has been a great way for me to still socialize with people I meet there outside of recovery. I attend many recovery events and plan and look forward to them. Hot yoga has also been a part of my recovery for the last 13 years on top of spending a few months out of the year in nature -hunting, camping and fishing.
What are your top "absolutes" for maintaining sobriety?
Call before you use. Don't use no matter what and when your ass falls off, pick it up, put it in a bag and take it to a meeting. Life can hit very hard sometimes and without the fellowship and my recovery community, I would not still be alive and clean today.
Tell us about your life today?
I work hard and hope that all of my hard work with Sober Water will help as many people as possible. I have lived many of my dreams including playing NYC's legendary home of underground rock, CBGB's, getting a college degree, and I have traveled to Asia and Mexico multiple times. I have so many friends...so many people that I matter to. I have seen first hand what my recovery has done to inspire others. I'm just going to keep coming back till I die (that's the plan anyways).
What did we miss? Please share anything else that your feel important about your journey.
Sober Water
Tell us about your work in recovery:
Founder & Chief
