Overcoming alcohol misuse and finding joy in sobriety

Abby B.

I’m a talkative, adventurous mom of two who has faced some tough challenges, including a decade of alcohol misuse. I started drinking heavily in my late 20s as a way to cope with trauma and stress, but over the next 10 years, it became a crutch I couldn’t escape. My drinking impacted everything—from my marriage and my kids’ emotional health to my own well-being. I had constant paranoia and even psychotic thoughts. The turning point came when I realized I couldn’t go on like this. I held my own intervention, asking my family for help, and admitted how deep my addiction had become. I went through intensive therapy, outpatient rehab, and regular support groups. Today, I’m proud to be sober and have been for over 2.5 years. I now use my experiences to help others who may be in the “gray area” of alcohol use or struggling with the decision to quit. Sobriety has given me back my joy, connection, and sense of adventure, and I’m here to support others in discovering that life without alcohol can be fulfilling and full of possibilities.

Getting sober after alcohol became your way of life

Adam A.

Drinking started off as fun something that helped quiet my mind and made life feel easier. I became a bartender, so it fit right into my world. But over time, it became how I dealt with everything: stress, loneliness, heartbreak. I lost a relationship I really cared about because of it, and when a family member passed, I hit one of the darkest points of my life. I tried Naltrexone, but what really changed things was realizing I just couldn’t live like that anymore. Getting sober wasn’t just about quitting it was about learning who I was without alcohol. That part was harder than I expected. But now, I’m clear-headed, present, and proud of how far I’ve come. If you’re questioning your relationship with drinking, I’ve been there and I’d be glad to talk through it with you.

Healing from drug addiction and rebuilding your life

Adley H.

I started using drugs when I was 13—first cannabis and alcohol, then eventually harder substances like ecstasy, MDMA, and cocaine. For over a decade, drugs were how I coped with pain, trauma, and grief I didn’t know how to face. I thought I was escaping, but I was really burying myself under layers of hurt I didn’t yet have the tools to process. After years of spiraling and a drug-induced psychosis that shook me to my core, I made the decision to quit cold turkey in 2021. Recovery wasn’t a clean, linear path—it was painful, raw, and real. I had to relearn who I was without the numbing. I had to sit with everything I’d been running from. And I had to rebuild my nervous system, my sense of self, and my trust in life. I’ve supported my recovery with nearly two decades of therapy, mindfulness, and inner work. I’ve faced down the realities of complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness—all of which were entangled in my addiction story. But most importantly, I’ve learned that healing is possible. Not perfect. Not easy. But deeply, beautifully real. I’m here for anyone walking that terrifying, courageous path toward sobriety—whether you're just beginning or have been in recovery for years.

Coping with domestic violence through alcohol and drug addiction

Alea H.

For most of my life, I battled addiction, depression, and feeling misunderstood. My drinking started in my teens and grew worse after my divorce, as I tried to numb the trauma from years of domestic violence. I also struggled with opioid addiction after being prescribed painkillers following the birth of my twins. Life felt like pure survival, and there were many moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it. But when I looked at my children, I knew I had to find a way out. Leaving my abusive partner was one of the hardest things I ever did, but it saved both me and my kids. I moved states to break away from old patterns and found support through a recovery coach. Piece by piece, I built a new life focused on healing and helping my children, including learning how to advocate for my neurodivergent son. My journey is living proof that even when life feels broken beyond repair, recovery and hope are possible.

Recovering from cannabis addiction and understanding the effects of psychosis

Alice H.

Hi, I’m Alice. My struggle with addiction began in high school when I used alcohol and marijuana to cope with my mental health issues, including psychosis, depression, anxiety, and anorexia. As I continued to use substances, I didn’t realize how much they were worsening my mental health. My psychosis became more intense, and I spent most of my days high to escape from it. It wasn’t until I had a psychotic episode so severe that I was hospitalized that I realized how deeply my substance use was affecting me. I decided to quit cold turkey, and though it wasn’t easy, I found strength through therapy, support from my family, and a lot of inner work. As I moved through recovery, I realized that my psychosis was closely linked to my addiction. Once I stopped using substances, the psychosis began to subside, and I found myself healing in ways I hadn’t imagined possible. I’ve been sober from cannabis since 2022, and now I’m passionate about supporting others who are struggling with both addiction and mental health challenges. I know firsthand how powerful recovery can be, and I want to help others find their own path to healing.

Recovery, rebuilding your life after addiction, and finding hope again

Amanda L.

Hi, I’m a 42-year-old woman living a new and full life after battling alcohol addiction. I spent years caught in a cycle of drinking, convincing myself I'd change "tomorrow," until my health collapsed and I needed a life-saving liver transplant. That terrifying moment became my turning point. With the support of my husband, an amazing addiction therapist, and a commitment to the 12 steps, I found my way to lasting sobriety. In the process, I also healed from the effects of growing up with a mother who struggled with her own mental health. Today, I’m over three years sober, pursuing my Master’s degree to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in substance abuse, and working toward adopting a child with my husband. I believe that life after addiction can be filled with more joy, connection, and purpose than we ever imagined. I'm here to share hope, tools, and encouragement with anyone walking a similar path.

Addiction, recovery, and rebuilding your life

Amanda D.

My story is one of loss, addiction, healing, and strength. I started using opioids in my early 20s, eventually turning to meth. Addiction stole over a decade of my life—time I can never get back. I was using to cope with trauma, depression, and grief. I’m the adult child of alcoholic parents, and I lost my sister and two cousins to addiction. I’ve attempted suicide. I’ve buried pain I didn’t think I could survive. But I did survive. In 2021, after another suicide attempt left me on a ventilator, I chose to live. I got sober and stayed sober. I went on suboxone, joined SMART Recovery, found support through my church, and leaned on my community. I went back to school, became a peer support worker, and now I help others find the hope I once thought I’d lost. My husband and I have been together since we were teens. Our addictions broke us apart—we divorced. But getting sober brought us back together. We remarried, and we’re now raising our three children with love and intention. I’ve helped others through addiction, parenting challenges, mental illness, and grief. Whether you’re trying to get sober, rebuild your family, or find peace after loss, I’ve walked a road like yours—and I’m here to walk it with you.

Finding sobriety after losing yourself to alcohol

Amber H.

I started drinking when I was 12, sneaking shots with friends and laughing like we were invincible. But even then, I was chasing more than just a buzz—I was trying to escape. Drinking made the chaos at home fade, so I kept chasing that numbness until it became all I knew. I partied through middle and high school, surrounded myself with people who could help me stay intoxicated, and ignored every warning sign. I experienced some of the darkest moments of my life while drunk, including being raped and repeatedly taken advantage of while too intoxicated to defend myself. I carried that pain for decades, burying it under more alcohol, more drugs. When I was 32, I lost custody of my children because I couldn’t stay sober. That shattered me—but it also woke me up. I went to jail, then rehab, and then straight into therapy. I did the work—every raw, painful step of it. I fought to be the parent my kids deserved, to be the woman I didn’t think I was capable of becoming. I’ve been sober since October 2021. Now, I help others because I know how terrifying and lonely that first step can be. I’m here to walk beside you, without judgment, because I’ve been there and I remember how it feels.

Uncoupling your self-worth from romantic relationships

Amelia H.

I spent a long time believing that my worth was tied to the relationships I was in. When things were going well, I felt good about myself. But when a relationship ended or became difficult, I felt worthless and lost. It wasn’t until I went through a painful breakup that I realized I had been depending on my partner’s approval to feel okay about myself. I started reflecting on my own needs and recognizing how much I had neglected myself in the process of trying to please others. I began putting myself first, focusing on self-care, and learning to trust myself instead of relying on external validation. I also realized I was using alcohol as a way to numb the emotional pain, which only kept me stuck. As I worked on healing and strengthening my relationship with myself, I came to understand that my self-worth doesn’t depend on anyone else, no matter the circumstances of my relationships. Now, I feel more connected to myself and more grounded in who I am. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how someone else treats you, I’d love to help you work through that and come back to yourself.

Healing from alcohol, marijuana, and stimulant use and creating a healthier life

Amit S.

For a long time, partying, drinking, and drugs were a regular part of my life. I started drinking when I was 16, and over the years, I added marijuana and stimulants to the mix while living the fast life in Miami and NYC. Eventually, it all caught up to me. I lost my relationship, my job, and most importantly, myself. I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. Through a rehabilitation program, counseling, and the support of my friends and family, I made the decision to get sober, and I’ve stayed committed to it for over 10 years. Along the way, I became a massage therapist and yoga instructor, realizing that true healing wasn’t just about quitting substances, it was about rebuilding my relationship with my body, my mind, and my life. Massage therapy helped me reconnect with myself physically, bringing awareness and care back into parts of me I had ignored for years. I believe in meeting people exactly where they are, with honesty, patience, and a lot of heart. I know the journey to healing isn’t easy, but it’s possible and you don’t have to do it alone.

Turning your life around after mandated substance use treatment from crack cocaine

Andre J.

In my early 20s, I got caught up in a heavy addiction to crack cocaine that took over my life faster than I could have imagined. What started as casual drinking and smoking in high school turned into something much more dangerous. Eventually, my addiction led to an arrest, and when I came home, I was mandated to go through substance use treatment. At the time, I didn’t know it would be the turning point that saved my life. Going through treatment wasn’t easy; there were moments I doubted myself and moments I wanted to quit. But with the support of my family and the structure treatment gave me, I was able to build a real foundation for change. I got clean in June of 1993 and never looked back. Over time, I went on to become a Certified Peer Specialist and have spent nearly a decade helping others struggling with addiction. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re at rock bottom and I also know what it feels like to find your way back.

Overcoming addiction and breaking free from unhealthy relationships

Andrea B.

When I was in my mid-20s, I found myself in a relationship where my partner hid their marijuana use from me. At first, I didn’t know how to react, but eventually, I was convinced to try it. What started as casual use quickly became an everyday habit before work, during breaks, and after. It was a cycle I didn’t know how to break. I realized how much it was controlling my life, making me feel disconnected and anxious, while keeping me from engaging with my friends and family in a meaningful way. I knew something had to change. So, in 2023, I ended the relationship and decided to stop using marijuana. At first, it was hard, but within a month, I felt a major shift. I became more productive, less anxious, and found myself truly present again. I’ve also had my share of struggles with toxic relationships verbal and physical abuse, unhealthy patterns that broke my self-worth. Therapy helped me regain my confidence, and it was through these painful experiences that I learned the importance of setting boundaries and finding support.

Supporting someone through addiction

Angela V.

I’ve witnessed addiction from both the outside and the edges—close enough to feel the heartbreak, the fear, the waiting, and the deep desire for someone you love to come back to themselves. I’ve supported family members who struggled with drug use and eventually found recovery. I’ve walked beside a partner through alcoholism, holding space for both the chaos and the courage it took to get sober. Addiction doesn’t just affect the person using—it ripples out into every relationship, often in painful and complicated ways. Whether you're the one trying to quit or someone who’s watching someone you love disappear into a version of themselves that feels unrecognizable, the journey is full of hard questions. When do you step in? How do you hold boundaries with love? What does it look like to forgive—yourself or someone else? I’ve seen the beauty of recovery, and I’ve seen the setbacks. I know how isolating it can feel, and I also know you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’re in the thick of it or healing from what’s already happened, this space is for you.

Learning to regain trust in relationships after addiction

Angelo F.

One of the hardest parts of healing from addiction wasn’t just learning to trust myself again—it was learning how to rebuild trust with others. Addiction can create a trail of broken promises, strained relationships, and unspoken pain. I carried deep guilt and fear that I’d never be worthy of trust again. But I’ve learned that trust, like healing, can be rebuilt—one honest moment at a time. As I began living in alignment with my values, showing up for myself, and making consistent choices rooted in love and integrity, something shifted. The people around me started to notice. I stopped trying to prove myself and focused instead on being present, being honest, and being real. Over time, I rebuilt relationships that mattered and created new, healthier ones that felt safe and authentic. Most importantly, I learned how to forgive myself—and that’s what allowed me to open my heart again.

Forgiveness healing for lasting recovery

Angelo F.

Forgiveness wasn’t easy for me. I carried so much pain—toward people who had hurt me, and maybe more than anyone, toward myself. For a long time, I couldn’t let go of the guilt, the shame, and the anger I had buried deep. I thought that if I forgave, I’d be letting others off the hook… or denying the damage that had been done. But when I began my recovery journey, I realized that forgiveness wasn’t about them. It was about me. It was about setting myself free from the weight of the past so I could heal and move forward. Through forgiveness therapy, self-reflection, and deep inner work, I learned how to release old emotional burdens. I forgave my past self for coping the only way I knew how at the time. I forgave others for not showing up the way I needed. And with that, something beautiful happened: I created space for peace, joy, and self-love to take root. Forgiveness became one of the most transformational parts of my recovery. It helped me break free from the cycle of resentment, shame, and emotional pain.

Reinventing yourself and mastering your reality after addiction

Angelo F.

There came a point in my healing where I knew I couldn’t just go back to who I used to be. I had outgrown that version of myself—the one who survived by numbing out, by hiding, by staying small. Recovery gave me something I never expected: the freedom to reinvent myself. For years, I had defined myself by pain, addiction, and anxiety. But beneath it all was a deeper truth: I was powerful, creative, intuitive, and worthy of an incredible life. I just had to remember who I really was—and start building a new reality from that place. Through deep inner work, forgiveness, spiritual practices, and tools like therapeutic art, nature healing, and mindset coaching, I began designing a life in flow with my values, gifts, and passions. I stopped chasing external validation and started living from alignment. It wasn’t about “fixing” myself—it was about becoming myself. Now I help others reclaim their identity and become the architect of a new life—one rooted in joy, purpose, and authenticity.

Navigating recovery from addiction and PTSD

Anne M.

I started using substances as a teenager, growing up with a mentally ill, alcoholic single mother. By 16, I had left home, chasing survival in a world I wasn’t ready for. For decades, I stayed "functional" getting my GED, earning a degree in occupational therapy, building a career. But in my 40s, after a brutal divorce and a cross-country move, everything caught up to me. My mental health crumbled and methamphetamine became my way to cope. Recovery wasn't instant. It took learning Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to calm my nervous system, stepping out of constant fight-or-flight mode, and embracing the hard truth that healing isn’t linear. Today, I’ve been sober for over a decade, and I support others by teaching real-world tools like crisis management, radical acceptance, and self-care. My journey is living proof that even when life knocks you down hard, you can find your way back — and maybe even help light the way for others too.

Coping with suicide loss and rebuilding life after alcohol dependence

April Sue P.

Losing my partner to suicide was a devastating, life-changing experience. The grief I felt was unlike anything I could have prepared for—deep, overwhelming, and filled with guilt. In an attempt to manage this intense emotional pain, I turned to alcohol. What started as a way to numb the pain quickly spiraled into daily drinking. It was a way to escape the feelings of helplessness and the constant question of "What could I have done differently?" Within a few months, I experienced even more loss. My mother and a father figure passed away unexpectedly, each loss compounding the emotional weight I was carrying. The grief and trauma began to take a serious toll on my mental health, and alcohol became my coping mechanism. I wasn’t just grieving anymore; I was trying to numb the pain so I wouldn’t have to feel it. At my lowest, I reached a breaking point. After another difficult night of drinking and self-loathing, I realized how much I had been using alcohol to avoid dealing with the grief I hadn’t processed. I reached out to my HR Director, who helped me take time off to focus on my mental health. I spent a week in the hospital, detoxing and beginning the process of recovery. That experience gave me clarity: I couldn’t keep using alcohol to manage my grief. Though the path hasn’t been easy, I’m learning to face my emotions head-on without relying on substances. It’s a slow process, but every day I am learning to heal and rebuild my life.

Finding hope after hitting rock bottom

Ashley L.

I started using alcohol at the age of 14 as a way to cope with the grief of losing my grandmother, who was my primary caregiver. With no one to support me, I struggled to deal with the emotions, and my substance use spiraled from alcohol to opioids and cocaine. By the time I was 26, I had lost almost everything—school, jobs, relationships, and my self-respect. I realized I had reached rock bottom and couldn’t continue living that way. My journey to recovery wasn’t immediate. I was in and out of 12-step programs for over a year before I finally entered inpatient treatment and sober living in early 2022. That 30-day program, followed by an additional 30 days in sober living, gave me the stability I desperately needed. Over time, I rebuilt my life—getting a job, saving money, and even enrolling in college. Today, I’m in a healthy, loving relationship that has renewed my faith in myself and in relationships. I now realize that hitting rock bottom wasn’t the only way to change, and I’m committed to helping others recognize the signs of when their current path isn’t working and take steps toward healing before it gets too late.

Navigating the choice to enter inpatient treatment

Ashley L.

When struggling with substance use, it is difficult to decide what to do next when everything you've tried so far hasn't worked. Whether that be regular therapy, medications, 12-step meetings and support groups, questioning changing careers or moving, changing friend groups, or going all-in on health and fitness to counteract substance use. For some of us, all of these choices in changes have failed us, and we remain at the same place we started. That was me during the last year of my substance use. I had given all of the above a shot at getting me sober. All of them either outright failed, were somewhat helpful (but not enough), or left me even more broke (and broken). My next step was inpatient treatment. I had contemplated inpatient for the last year of my using, but either felt I didn't have enough money to quit my job (I was working once a week in the sex-worker industry at that point), I didn't know where I would live after as my current partner at that time was abusive but I had nowhere else to go, and deep down I also was afraid of actually committing to a full 30 days of sobriety and change. One night, where I was thoroughly inebriated, I called the American Addictions Center 24-hour line. This not an advertisement for them, however an example of how their 24-hour access helped me in my moment of need. I described to the person on the other line what I was going through, what I was afraid of, and how I was broke, and he was able to create a plan for me. The next day, I completely forgot the conversation, however that guy had apparently saved it to my caller file. I called back after seeing the phone number on my phone app and searching it on google (to investigate the previous night.) From there on, I spent the next month drunkenly navigating the marketplace of health insurance, searching for different treatment centers, planning to move my belongings into a storage unit, and trying to find a temporary caregiver for my beloved cat, Nugget, who had been with me through my entire adult life thus far living in cars, hotels, and abusive homes with me. All of that to say, I am now 3.5 years into my recovery, have completed two internships for inpatient treatment centers, am in college for Social Work, and work as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and Resource Specialist for the parenting and pregnant women of my county living in poverty. I now get to assist to many other people on their journey of navigating the inpatient treatment center options, health insurance, scholarships, and so much more. I credit a lot of my success in sobriety to that stranger that offered me support, assistance with making a plan, and guidance on how to move forward. I partially refer to my lived experience of going to treatment myself when assisting people with what to look for and ask about before committing to treatment, and I use my employment experience of understanding how health insurance can be attainable for anyone, and how to find inpatient treatment that will give them the most and best coverage. If you feel like this may be your next (and only) option, you don't have to navigate this alone, or with a stranger on the phone. I would be honored to assist you in determining if there are other options (like detox and outpatient), or how to choose an inpatient treatment center catered to your healing. Assisting in this field is my passion, and I am ready to be that stranger that can give you practical advice, work with you on a plan, and give you tools you can use in the process. I'm confident you can succeed, but doing it alone isn't the only way you have try.