Alexander Brown’s Mission to Redefine Hospitality Through Sobriety

From Struggle to Strength

Alexander’s recovery journey, marked by his commitment to overcoming alcohol and cocaine use, has been anything but linear. His first attempt at sobriety began in 2015, and while there were setbacks along the way, each experience added to his understanding of what long-term recovery requires. “Recovery doesn’t always happen in a straight line,” he says. “But every step, even the missteps, taught me something important.”

One of the most transformative milestones came with his first sober international trip to Bermuda in 2019. “It showed me how much more fun and fulfilling sober travel could be—not to mention the cost savings!” Alexander recalls. That trip sparked a new outlook, inspiring him to embrace opportunities he once avoided. More recently, he ventured through Asia and attended a wedding in Pakistan—adventures that, in his own words, were unimaginable during his days of active use.

Recovery has also helped Alexander rebuild the trust and closeness within his family. “When my cousin’s child stayed with me in Boston in 2019, it was a powerful reminder of how far I’d come,” he shares. “That’s not something my family would have entrusted to me before I got sober.”

Perhaps the most profound shift came in late 2022, after about a year and a half of sustained sobriety. Alexander describes it as a spiritual awakening: “The desire to moderate was lifted. I realized my life is infinitely better with zero alcohol—it’s a blessing, not a limitation.”

In May 2023, Alexander achieved another major milestone: earning his Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston College. His academic and professional drive didn’t stop there—just two years later, in March 2025, he was admitted to the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management to pursue an MBA, further cementing his commitment to blending social impact with business expertise.

Launching a Movement: Recover Hospitality

In 2021, fueled by personal experience and professional insight, Alexander founded Recover Hospitality—a company with a vision to create more inclusive, sober-friendly spaces within hospitality. The idea was sparked during his first year of graduate school, where he noticed how often clients expressed anxiety about traveling or dining out due to the risk of relapse and emotional triggers.

COVID-19 only deepened these challenges. “Contactless check-ins and isolated dining made travel feel even less personal and more stressful,” Alexander explains. His own relapse while traveling in 2020, after more than two years of sobriety, underscored the urgent need for change.

Determined to meet this need, Alexander created a list of 60 standards for sober-friendly hospitality and began working with hotels and restaurants to help them become safer, more supportive spaces for sober guests. But when the industry expressed skepticism about sober travel as a defined market, he adapted—launching CXN Travel in 2022, a travel agency dedicated to connecting individuals in recovery with destinations and experiences that align with their lifestyle.

Through his vibrant social media presence, @RecoveringTraveler, Alexander shares advice, promotes “approved” sober-friendly properties, and fosters a growing online community of people seeking to enjoy life while maintaining their recovery. His work now extends to developing a formal certification program for hotels and restaurants and a job board aimed at helping sober individuals find employment in supportive hospitality environments.

Alexander’s vision continues to evolve. “There’s a sizable market of people—like those on the autism spectrum—who also feel uncomfortable in traditional hotel and restaurant settings,” he says. “We can address these needs with operational adjustments and by providing tailored support for guests and staff alike.”

Impact and Reach

To date, Alexander’s work has reached thousands, from implementing sober-friendly policies at hospitality venues to directly serving about 300 clients through CXN Travel and various employee training programs. His impact is also felt in the addiction treatment community, where he serves as Director of Admission & Growth at Commonwealth Collaborative, an outpatient addiction treatment provider in the Berkshires.

His partnerships span nearly every major hotel group, including Four Seasons, Marriott, IHG, Canyon Ranch, Accor, and Main Street Hospitality Group, creating a robust network of destinations aligned with his sober-friendly mission.

Leading with Authenticity and Vision

Alexander believes one of his greatest strengths is his willingness to share his recovery story openly, especially on social media—a platform he uses to dismantle stigma and build bridges. “I think my persistence and my drive to find solutions to complex problems resonate with people,” he says. His service-based leadership style and commitment to giving back to the community have earned the respect of his family, friends, and professional peers.

Whether he’s advising hotels, facilitating relapse prevention groups, or helping travelers embrace new adventures in sobriety, Alexander’s authenticity shines through. His ultimate goal is simple but powerful: to create a world where recovery and hospitality intersect seamlessly—where everyone, regardless of their mental health journey, can feel safe, respected, and fully welcome.