Stepping In to Her True Self after Alcohol Addiction: Life Redefined with Kate Riffel

In this raw and honest episode, Kara sits down with ordained minister, Kate Riffel, to explore her deeply personal journey from a seemingly perfect life to the depths of alcohol addiction, and ultimately, to a place of deep self-discovery. Kate opens up about the years of people-pleasing and overachieving that led her to seek solace in alcohol, and the difficult road she traveled to break free from its grip. This conversation delves into the shame, the struggles, and the eventual triumphs, offering hope and inspiration to anyone who has felt lost or trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. Kate's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, and that even after a significant fall, you can rise again, stronger and more authentic than before. Not to mention, she has a way of humor and lightheartedness that bring brilliant perspectives and insights into a heavy topic.

Highlights:

• How Kate's tendency to people-please and overachieve stemmed from a childhood of neglect and a deep-seated need for validation.
• The slow and insidious way that alcohol became a crutch for Kate, eventually leading to addiction.
• The shame and self-loathing that accompanied her struggle with alcohol, and how it fueled the cycle of addiction.
• The pivotal moments, including a DUI and a particularly harrowing experience in jail, that forced Kate to confront her addiction.
• The role of faith and spirituality in Kate's journey of healing and self-discovery.
• The importance of self-compassion and forgiveness in breaking free from addiction and moving forward.
• Practical advice for recognizing when your relationship with alcohol has become unhealthy, and steps you can take to change that relationship.
• Insights for supporting a loved one who is struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of non-judgmental support and allowing them to lead their own journey.
• The transformative power of self-acceptance and the realization that you are not defined by your mistakes.

Quotes:

• "My pain was I was trying to overcome overcompensation for the person I wasn't. I didn't know who I was… Drinking allowed me to escape the unbearable weight of never being enough."
• "Nothing is too hard to overcome. And you are not defined by your mistakes or perceived failures. Every day is a new day."
• “It’s not just a moral failure. It is a real thing going on in my body.”
• "I’ve learned to say “no”… No is a complete sentence."

Connect with Kate:

• Email: [e-mail]

A homeschooling mother of 6 kids appeared to be living the quintessential white picket fence life until she found herself drowning in a bottle of wine daily. With her life, family, and ministry hanging by a thread, she shares the raw story of falling into addiction and emerging as the whole person she never knew.
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