This Thanksgiving week, we are honored to share a heartfelt message from Damien Reilly. As someone deeply connected to Sober St. Patrick's Day, Damien's journey inspires gratitude for the beautiful life he is building in recovery but also for the countless lives he touches along the way.
His words remind us of the power of community, resilience, and hope. We are deeply grateful to be part of his story and to witness the incredible impact he continues to make.
Keep reading as we share Damien’s reflections and celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with gratitude for recovery and the shared journey of creating a brighter future.
Sober St. Patrick's Day: A Milestone in Early Recovery
By Damien Reilly
On January 3rd, 2012, I surrendered. That day, I finally unwrapped the greatest gift I’d ever received: the gift of desperation. For years, I had known I had a problem with drinking, but I refused to believe I could live without it. St. Patrick’s Day, in particular, became symbolic of my struggle—years spent drinking to excess, believing it was woven into the fabric of my identity as an Irishman.
But when I finally stopped fighting, recovery became possible.
That January day, I walked into an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Inter-Care in New York City, marking the beginning of my sobriety journey. I also attended 12 Step meetings, which became a vital part of my recovery process. I found myself surrounded by strangers in those first group sessions, but those strangers quickly became friends, allies, and lifelines. One message stood out to me early on: “Service keeps you sober.”
Discovering Sober St. Patrick’s Day
One day at Inter-Care, a flyer on the corkboard caught my eye: “Sober St. Patrick’s Day.”
It was intriguing. Could there really be a way to celebrate my Irish heritage without alcohol? As a first-generation Irish American on my mother’s side—and with my father’s parents having immigrated from Ireland in 1928—St. Patrick’s Day had always been a central part of my identity. My family traveled to Ireland often; in fact, my first trip there was when my mother was pregnant with me!
Growing up, drinking was something I thought went hand-in-hand with being Irish. I embraced alcohol with pride, believing it was my birthright. But when I volunteered at the first-ever Sober St. Patrick’s Day celebration—just 60 days into my sobriety—everything changed.
Finding Joy in Sobriety and Service
That first Sober St. Patrick’s Day was a revelation.
I worked the door at the event, checking tickets and greeting attendees. Maybe it was my bald head that made me an effective “bouncer,” but the role allowed me to connect with so many people. I also got to know the event’s founder, someone I instantly bonded with (we even shared the same last name!).
For the first time, I experienced Irish culture in a way that was vibrant, joyful, and entirely alcohol- free. It was a blessing to reconnect with my heritage on new terms—terms that honored my recovery and my authentic self.
That day was more than a celebration; it was a turning point. It reminded me that sobriety doesn’t take away from who I am. Instead, it enhances my ability to embrace life fully.
Thirteen Years of Gratitude
Since that first celebration, Sober St. Patrick’s Day has been a cornerstone of my recovery. Year after year, I’ve volunteered at the event, finding joy and purpose in sharing the message that being Irish is about heritage, culture, and community—not drinking.
Three years ago, I had the honor of marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Sober St. Patrick’s Day for the first time. Even more meaningful, I was asked to help carry the event banner. That moment felt like a full-circle victory: celebrating my heritage, my recovery, and my commitment to service all at once.
A New Chapter: Helping Others on Their Journey
In 2021, after being laid off from my job, I took time for soul-searching. I realized my calling was to help others on their recovery journeys. That led me to become a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) and Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC).
Today, I work at Mountainside Treatment Center as a Recovery Coach. It’s a challenging but deeply rewarding role that allows me to use my lived experience to guide others toward wellness in recovery from substance use disorder.
Celebrating Sobriety and Heritage
As I reflect on the past 13 years, I’m grateful for the journey that has brought me to this point. St. Patrick’s Day, once a symbol of my struggles, is now a celebration of my sobriety and my Irish pride.
Sober St. Patrick’s Day remains a “can’t-miss” event in my life—a place where I can celebrate both who I am and who I’ve become. I now attend the Sober St. Patrick’s Day every year as a reminder of how far I’ve come and to honor my Irish heritage. It’s a testament to the power of recovery, service, and community.
If you’re in recovery or just looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Irish culture, I encourage you to join us at Sober St. Patrick’s Day. It might just change your life, as it changed mine.
Damien Reilly
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate Certified Addiction Recovery Coach damien.reilly@mountainside.com
Thank you for your inspiration!! I am 10 months in and going strong!! My heritage is Spanish and we are also know. To consume a lot of alcohol to celebrate everything even St Patrick day! 🤣 but since I had the blessing of going to mountain side to surrender, I to have realized how much life has to give without alcohol!! I find myself trying to encourage other people trying to recover which in turn helps me ! Thank you again for your story! I know now that I can make it to thirteen years!!