Interview: Sober STHLM
text Christine Deckert
Sober Sthlm was born from a life survived. Here, sobriety isn’t moralism but raw strength: jewellery that’s both soft and solid, created by founder Julia Koistinen, who’s seen hell and chosen to stay on earth. Every engraving carries a promise—that truth and vulnerability can coexist with power—and every collection pushes back against stigma: addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. This is design that says “you are seen, you belong”—and an invitation to The Sober Family, where recovery becomes community.
Your journey from addiction to artistry is profoundly hopeful. How does recovery show in your designs, and what do you hope someone feels the moment they put on a piece? Recovery—and dodging death multiple times—have shaped every layer of who I am. My journey inevitably flows into my designs. It’s taught me that tenderness and strength are not opposites—they coexist. The tenderness comes from vulnerability and honesty; the strength comes from choosing to rise again. Hell was boring—I’d prefer not to go there again. Every piece I create carries that balance—something soft yet solid. Heaven and hell have always coexisted on Earth—but only I can choose where I prefer to stay.
Sober Sthlm is made to empower. I want people to feel seen and grounded in their story. To stand proud. Addiction is a disease—not a choice. Addicts are not weak in character or lacking willpower. We all have a disease, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Society’s prejudice about addiction keeps stigma alive. You wouldn’t tell a diabetic to just try harder to recover, that they lack morals, or that their condition is their own fault. No one chooses to become an addict.
Most would do anything to avoid hurting everyone they love, ruining their lives, or dying. Like any other serious disease: once it has begun, we simply cannot stop or change its course without proper psychological and medical treatment.
To everyone in recovery: I hope my designs remind you that sobriety is strength, and that you are not alone in it.
“Sober Sthlm” is a beautiful invitation to belong. What welcoming, practical steps can a reader take today if they’re curious about support, either for themselves or someone they love?
The first step is simply reaching out—you don’t have to do this alone. Talk to someone you trust. If that is hard, maybe start by finding more information about substance use disorder online. Be honest with yourself and courageous enough to admit you might have a problem. Even though your life still looks good on the outside, hiding what is going on behind the curtains can be exhausting. Having a functioning career, kids, or working out five days a week might keep you from seeking help—because alcoholics couldn’t possibly keep up with a lifestyle like yours? Maybe you are the weekend sniffer. Or the one who needs a glass of wine or two every day after work to feel relaxed. Are you hungover on a Tuesday even though you promised yourself you would only have two beers at dinner? Does one drink always turn into five? Or did you promise yourself to keep your nose out of the bag this weekend, yet somehow it still ended up there? It’s not always defined by how often and how much you consume; it’s about that feeling of losing control, the crippling anxiety, and the bad choices that come with the behavior. Or maybe you are just tired of being tired. Either way—if you’ve been thinking about it lately, there might be some truth in it.
There are numerous support groups, therapists, 12-Step programs, and communities where you can get support and advice on how to regain control of your life.
Through Sober STHLM and The Sober Family, we’ve built a global community that welcomes anyone in recovery, healing, or supporting a loved one. Connecting with us on Instagram—sharing your story by tagging a picture—can be an act of courage and belonging. We are showing the world that addicts are regular people and that recovery leads to a life beyond your wildest dreams.
I’m currently working on an app for The Sober Family. It will be a forum to get support, make friends, share your journeys, and inspire each other.
Healing often arrives in small, luminous moments. Could you share a piece that symbolizes one of those moments for you, and how its materials or form carry a message of self compassion rather than perfection?
For me, the Signature Bracelet holds that meaning. It’s engraved with “SOBER,” a word that changed my entire life. That engraving isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being real, choosing life one day at a time.
The material is strong and lasting, but it rests gently on the skin, reminding you of your own resilience. Whenever the laser-engraved logo catches your eye, you’ll be reminded of what you have accomplished. Or, if you spot it out on the town, you feel united. It’s a symbol of belonging. You are loved, not alone, and we all stand united. Each piece, to me, is an act of self-compassion—a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection, but about presence and showing up for yourself one day at a time.
Entrepreneurship can be intense. What gentle boundaries or daily rituals help you protect your sobriety while growing a high-end brand—and how might these practices inspire others who are building something new in recovery?
Running a brand and working as a therapist can be all-consuming, so I’ve learned to protect my energy carefully. I have dedicated my life to helping others, so I mustn’t forget to tend to my own needs. I practice keeping strong boundaries around rest and connection.
Every day I remind myself: it’s not about the money—it’s about keeping as many people as possible from going through hell. Remembering what I am working for allows me to slow down—I can’t help others if I don’t take care of myself first.
My mornings often start with a dog walk around the block, without my phone, to stay centered before the day begins. Sometimes I have a cappuccino at 7/11, and some mornings I end up chatting with my neighbors. On those days, the 15-minute walk accidentally takes an hour. I’ve also learned to pause—to ask myself whether I’m working for meaningfulness or from pressure and fear of failure.
Every evening I spend about 5–60 minutes on the phone with a Sponsie (from a 12-Step program). Supporting others’ recovery, without charging or expecting anything back, keeps me sober and sane.
Those small rituals keep me anchored. I hope others in recovery who are building something new see that success doesn’t have to mean chaos—that it’s okay to grow slowly, consciously, and with integrity.
Creativity can also be a vessel for purpose. What’s one simple, kind action our readers can take to support Sober Sthlm’s mission today?
At the heart of it all is THE SOBER FAMILY: a global community of individuals in recovery who share their journeys, inspire one another, and extend hope to those still struggling. It is a movement for anyone healing from addiction or supporting a loved one, offering a sense of belonging and a place to be seen, heard, and understood.
Recovery is not just possible—it’s powerful. Join us in spreading a message the world needs to hear: sobriety is strength, and life in serenity is worth celebrating. Be proud of your journey. Show others what’s possible. Every step forward you take inspires someone else to begin.
Take a stand. Be seen. Be heard. Follow us on Instagram @Sobersthlm and tag us when wearing your Sober piece—your statement of resilience, courage, and hope. By speaking openly about addiction, we’re not just breaking the silence—we’re building a new future. It’s time to start rewriting the story of addiction, and it starts with you.
