Colleen had what seemed like a ‘perfect’ childhood – with a sober mom and a dad who rarely drank. Such an idyllic upbringing, however, didn’t guarantee smooth sailing for her. High expectations and perfectionism had begun to weigh on her by the time she left for college, and her newfound college freedom quickly led her to a life of heavy partying.
Colleen’s new lifestyle was rife with alcohol and other substances, and it resulted in some challenging experiences. First, she was kicked out of her dorms, and then she was kicked out of her college entirely. As she moved into adulthood, she knew that her drug use was problematic, but despite attempts to begin a new chapter, substances stayed in her life. After marriage, her drug challenges became so clear that she ended up in rehab.
It’s now been 10 years since Colleen has touched drugs, but she saw no reason at the time to give up alcohol. As a person with a high tolerance and no hangovers, drinking didn’t seem as though it was negatively affecting her life. Plus, she’d found it easy to quit during pregnancy or during times when she was working toward major fitness goals.
However, it eventually became clear that while alcohol didn’t feel like it had negative effects on her physically, it did have negative effects on her choices. After a series of destructive decisions put her marriage in jeopardy, Colleen started to question if alcohol actually was a problem. It was then that she found The Sober Mom Life podcast and community!
Colleen is now 90 days sober and she’s become deeply committed to doing the hard work through therapy. For Colleen, it feels good to say ‘forever’. She is never going back!
Enrollment for the next Sober Mom Retreat is now live, and you’re invited! We’ll be gathering at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Arizona from Feb 27-Mar 2, 2025. If you’re looking for community and self care in sobriety, this retreat is for you! Book your spot here.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
COMMUNITY IN SOBRIETY
Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women.
Orders are now available for my book! Sober Shift: A Modern Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life
Order your copy here: https://suzannewarye.com/book
Plus, take a look at my events calendar for a book tour stop near you. I would LOVE to meet you and thank you for being a part of this incredible community!
