Recovering the Life I Always Should Have Had Through Sobriety

For The Hayters: The Stories We Survive · Feb 23, 2026 · 54m

This episode discusses severe alcoholism, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Please listen with care.

I sat down with Nicole, a mother of five who lived a "normal" life on the outside while a dark hole was swallowing her from the inside. From her first blackout at thirteen to drinking a Costco-sized handle of vodka every 24 hours, Nicole’s story is a harrowing look at how addiction isolates us from the people we love most—including ourselves.

We dive deep into the moments the world doesn't see: the manipulation, the medical emergencies, and the day Nicole decided it would be better if…