Welcome to Sober in the Country, where we help our rural mates say “no thanks” or “not today” to booze.
We’re doing what they said could never be done…
… we’re saving lives by changing the narrative around booze in the bush.
We have a simple message and a bold vision: a future where every single one of our rural and remote mates – from farmers to FIFO workers – know it’s always okay to say ‘no thanks’ or ‘not today’ to booze.

We're a national charity creating radical social change and saving the lives of rural and remote Australians affected by alcohol harm through our advocacy, straight talk, lived experience, partnerships with leading Alcohol and Drug (AOD) organisations, and our online peer-support group, the Bush Tribe.

WE’RE SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NEXT?

Click on the arrow of the quick links you’re interested in.
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We know an honest conversation can change or save a life, so we’ve provided a way you can hear the stories of people from the bush just like you.

Watch videos of our rural mates sharing their powerful, relatable stories of hope after choosing a life with less or no booze. Here you’ll also find videos of our founder and CEO, Shanna Whan, who started it all by sharing her story – an unfiltered, inspiring tale of both struggles and success – that’s resonated with people all around Australia.
WATCH OUR STORIES NOW
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Sober in the Country is a much-needed mental health platform – a safe place to be yourself.
Whether you are curious about getting sober or already rocking your sobriety with many years onboard and being a role model to others, it's packed with useful links and information that is impossible to find all in the one place elsewhere. It's comforting to know that we are not alone and can express our struggles here without judgement. I love Sober in the Country and the Bush Tribe and am very proud to be a member of this like-minded tribe.
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Anonymous Bush Tribe member
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The Sober in the Country group is a safe haven for me. I feel supported in my highs and lows, held and protected.
As a young woman trying to grapple with the process of ridding alcohol out of my life completely, my journey is being driven by the inspiration of my newfound community. I feel blessed every day to be a part of this network and rural family!
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Lily, Bush Tribe member
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Living in the country there seems to be greater pressure to drink.
It's generally laughed at when you say you don't drink and are pressured into having one 'with the boy (or girls)', so you don't go out, you don't go to local events. The hardships of farm life and rural isolation means we really enjoy catching up at events, but the drinking culture is in your face. Sober in the Country are all rural/remote people who support each other. [The Bush Tribe] members provide advice, making us feel not so isolated, and especially help with ways to deal with the drinking culture in the bush. I would be lost without the Tribers and Sober in the Country and would have given in to that pressure.
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Anonymous Bush Tribe member
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I am unaware of any peer support service that has the same level of acceptance and understanding that Sober in the Country has.
You can be 1 day or 10,000 days into your voyage, and you can be abstaining completely or simply trying to reduce – but it's all done with the same kind words and support from your peers.
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Terri, Bush Tribe member
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I joined the Bush tribe about one week into my sober journey and found I was not alone in everything I was going through.
I only wished I’d joined earlier and had access to the resources before starting to detox. I’m now three years sober and I believe Sober in the Country and its peer support group have played a major role in changing my life.
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Steve, Electrician
FOLLOW OUR DAILY ADVENTURES

  • Today we just want to again cheekily interrupt our own social media detox because ***holy cow*** we simply HAVE to acknowledge, congratulate, and stand in AWE of the work, courage, heart and soul of @neddbrockmann as he clocked up 1,000 miles of running (an unimaginable challenge he set himself a while back) for the charity @wearemobilise - raising over $2.5 million for homeless people in this nation. Nedd is an originally a rural man, born and bred, from central west NSW. Dang, they sure do make ‘em tough out west !! Nedd, we join the rest of this nation in tipping our caps to you, sir. Hopefully you can rest now, and enjoy some quality time with your beautiful crew. Respect, love, and healing vibes to your body from us 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡
  • World mental health day message from our founder, Shanna, and a shoutout of gratitude to some of the amazing people & orgs working together, collaboratively in rural health and mental health out there. PING to some of the best who we love, admire, and/or collaborate with: @plantaseedforsafety @humansofagriculture_ @missiemazzy @jillaroojess @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych @justafarmermovie & @leilasmcd @dollysdreamaustralia @motherlandaustralia @backtrackyouthworks @offthetracktraining @activefarmers @tiacs_ @the_outback_mind_foundation @bluetreeproject @theunbreakablefarmer @rural_women_unite @ruralwomensday @ruralaid @outbackfutures @_beneaththebrim @ruralpodcastingco @ruralhealthconnect @ruralleaders_au @jackschat @ramhp_nsw (Who did we miss? Holiday brain means we aren’t our sharpest so please tag a legend in rural health!) Here’s to doing hard things together. Here’s to lifting each other up. Here’s to being the change we want to see ❤️❤️ #rural #health #mentalhealth
  • Bye for now & see you in November 👋🏼
  • ''Almost a decade in to having yarns across remote parts of this wide brown land about alcohol, its impacts, and how we can all be part of positive change - no matter who we are or where we live - the one thing I observe over and over is the very incorrect assumption that people who drink less or not at must have had some dreadful ''problem'' (like I once did) ... or must be some kind of ''wowser'' ... (etc etc). These are often either awkwardly delivered or flat out incorrect and sometimes incredibly judgemental and unfair assumptions. And, honestly, they're not okay. So here's today's friendly reminder that people choosing less or no grog don't need to justify it, don't need a reason that must be explained to all, and they certainly don't have to have a rock-bottom story or reason so say ''no thanks.'' (AND: guess what - we don't judge or have thoughts going on in our heads about those who do choose to drink. This is another incorrect but common assumption - and one we get all the time at SITC - despite our constant references to the fact we strictly are not prohibitionists.) We just want to be left in peace in our choice not to follow the mob and to advocate for others choosing the same. There are many among our rural communities who simply choose to prioritise their health and fitness AND their mental health and mental fitness. Or, there are many who enjoy one or two, and that's plenty, for them. There are also many, like me, who faced life-or-death when it came to alcohol. Much like sobriety - there's no one size or reason for all when it comes to what we drink or how often we drink it, or if we abstain completely. The worst thing we can do as bystanders and small communities is to sit on the sidelines making assumptions or casting judgement. Just be kind. Be supportive. Respect your fit mates, and respect your sober mates. Some of the worst bullying I've heard about or witnessed (and indeed experienced firsthand) in decades in the Ag sector has happened around alcohol. And while it's definitely changing - we still have a lot of culture shifting to be done. {Shanna Whan, SITC founder & survivor}

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