For years, March Madness meant one thing to me: a month-long excuse to party. The first Thursday of the tournament was practically a holiday—calling off work, meeting up with friends, filling out brackets, and, most importantly, drinking all day. I used to believe the energy of the tournament, the buzzer-beaters, the Cinderella stories, and the bracket-busting upsets were only fun with a drink in hand.
Then I got a DUI.
That night was the wake-up call I couldn’t ignore. My drinking wasn’t just a fun part of March Madness anymore—it was wrecking my life. I went through an outpatient addiction treatment program and learned more about myself in those months than I had in years. But now, as March Madness 2025 rolls around, I’m facing a new challenge: watching the tournament without alcohol.
Re-Learning How to Enjoy March Madness
Early in recovery, I wondered if I’d ever be able to enjoy the things I loved again. So much of my identity revolved around sports, social events, and drinking—it all felt intertwined. When I first started attending games sober or watching from home without alcohol, I felt like something was missing. It was uncomfortable, almost awkward. I even caught myself questioning whether I still liked sports at all.
But that was the addiction talking. I wasn’t bored—I was just used to numbing myself. March Madness had always been exciting because of the unpredictability, the emotion, and the sheer intensity of college basketball. The alcohol had never actually made it more fun; it had just been part of the routine.
Making a Sobriety Plan
One of the most valuable things I learned in alcohol detox and intensive outpatient treatment was the importance of having a plan. Going into a high-risk situation without one is like expecting to win a national championship without practicing. So, here’s how I’m preparing for my first sober March Madness:
1. Changing My Viewing Environment
In the past, I always watched March Madness at bars or big parties, both of which revolved around drinking. This year, I’m doing things differently. I’m hosting a few friends at my place—people who support my sobriety and enjoy the game without alcohol. We’ll have plenty of food, some non-alcoholic drinks, and the same trash talk and excitement—just without the booze.
2. Finding New Rituals
March Madness always had traditions: certain drinks, certain bars, and certain people. Now, I’m creating new rituals. Instead of beer and wings at a bar, I’ll have good food, a game tracker, and maybe even a friendly bracket competition with real prizes. I’m also focusing more on the game itself—actually engaging in the matchups, stats, and strategies instead of letting alcohol take center stage.
3. Knowing My Triggers
I can’t pretend that I won’t feel tempted at times. The first weekend of March Madness is packed with non-stop action, and that used to be my biggest binge-drinking stretch of the year. If I feel that itch, I have a plan: I’ll step away, take a breather, and remind myself why I chose sobriety in the first place. I’ll also lean on my recovery network—friends from IOP, a sponsor, or even an online group of sober sports fans.
The Joy of Watching Sober
What I’ve started to realize is that watching sober actually makes the experience better. I remember the entire game. I feel the emotions more deeply. I wake up the next day with energy, not regret. I don’t have to piece together what happened or check my phone in fear of drunk texts I don’t remember sending.
I used to think alcohol enhanced the experience, but in reality, it dulled it. Now, I get to feel every moment. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Moving Forward
This March Madness is going to be different, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be great. Sobriety is teaching me that I don’t need alcohol to enjoy life—I just need to be present. And if I ever doubt that, I’ll remind myself that the greatest Cinderella stories in basketball happen when teams believe they can do the impossible.
If they can do it, so can I.
