Overcoming alcohol addiction is challenging, but recovery is possible. Every year, people take the brave step toward sobriety, proving that change can happen.
This guide shares four real recovery stories—highlighting struggles, setbacks, and triumphs. Whether on your journey or supporting a loved one, these stories offer hope.
Laura Cathcart Robbins: the only one in the room
Laura, an award-winning writer and host of the podcast The Only One in the Room, had a life that seemed successful on the surface. But beneath it, she was battling alcohol and pill addiction—a fight that nearly destroyed her.
The slow, then sudden fall into addiction
Unlike many, Laura’s addiction developed later in life. Alcoholism had already taken a toll on her family, but for years, she managed to drink socially without losing control.
That changed after the birth of her son when postpartum depression took hold. W
hat started as weekend indulgence spiraled into a dangerous daily dependency, fueled further by pills.
Her descent into alcoholism followed the pattern she later described using a quote from The Sun Also Rises: “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”
One day, she was a functioning mother and writer. The next, she was consuming alcohol and pills just to get through the day, with no way to stop.
Rehab: a decision made for survival, not recovery
On July 14, 2008, Laura entered rehab—not to get sober, but to survive. Her tolerance had grown so high that she needed large amounts of substances just to avoid withdrawal. Detox was going to be brutal, but at least in rehab, she would be medicated and safe. That was the extent of her plan.
What she didn’t expect was for fate to intervene.
“The hour I checked in, I was ushered into orientation. I heard people introducing themselves and thought, ‘This is a huge mistake. These people are hardcore heroin addicts. I do not belong here. I’m a mom with a pill problem.’”
Overwhelmed, she tried to leave. But a man she assumed was a staff member followed her and started talking about his daughters.
He urged her to stay, saying, “If you have kids, you should stay.”
Annoyed but listening, Laura hesitated—and that hesitation changed her life. She stayed, befriended the man, and later, they even dated. His words made the unbearable experience of rehab slightly more bearable.
The unexpected push to stay sober
When she left rehab, Laura had no intention of long-term sobriety. But once again, fate stepped in.
Her divorce attorney, wary of potential custody issues, insisted she undergo weekly drug testing and document every recovery meeting she attended.
The mandatory tests lasted six months, and sobriety had taken root by then.
Laura describes her first year in recovery as a cat sprinting across a busy street—ears back, blind to everything but survival.
“There might have been bombs dropping on either side of me. I didn’t see anything. I was just like, ‘I’ve got to get across the street. I’ve got to get to 365 days.’”
Giving back to the recovery community
Laura believes that sharing stories is one of the most powerful tools in recovery.
“The most crucial call to action in recovery is to pass our experience, strength, and hope along to anyone who wants it. People in recovery are great respecters of confidentiality—it’s sacred to us. More than likely, any horrible, scary thing you have to say will sound perfectly normal to me.”
Laura’s story reminds us that recovery doesn’t always start with a moment of clarity.
Sometimes, it begins with desperation, unexpected support, and a series of small choices that, over time, lead to transformation.
Follow Laura’s journey at TheOnlyOnePod.com or on social media, where she continues to inspire others with her story and platform.
Kelly Fitzgerald Junco: the “Sober Señorita”
Kelly Fitzgerald Junco’s journey to sobriety didn’t just change her life—it gave her a purpose. After eight months of sobriety, she began documenting her experiences through her blog, The Adventures of the Sober Señorita.
One year into recovery, she published her first official post, 7 Things I Learned During My Year Without Alcohol, which quickly went viral and was featured in the Huffington Post. That success encouraged her to continue sharing her story, proving that sobriety doesn’t mean the end of a vibrant, fulfilling life—it’s just the beginning.
A party girl’s turning point
Kelly grew up in Royersford, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Philadelphia. She was known as a social butterfly, always ready for the next party.
Despite her heavy drinking, she excelled academically, earning two bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Government & Political Affairs while playing four seasons of NCAA Division II soccer.
After graduation, her love for adventure took her to Cancún, Mexico, where she embraced the party lifestyle with even more intensity. Binge drinking and blackouts became the norm, and she lived in a constant cycle of denial and excess. But on May 6, 2013, everything changed. That was the day she took her last drink.
Sick and tired of being sick and tired
Kelly reached her breaking point in Cancún. After years of partying, blackouts, and emotional turmoil, she finally admitted she had had enough. “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” she said. That realization led her to sobriety, but it wasn’t an easy road.
Early recovery was filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Kelly had to redefine her identity, her relationships, and her way of life.
But through it all, she discovered something unexpected—sobriety gave her everything alcohol had promised but never delivered: clarity, confidence, and true joy.
A new life in recovery
As she embraced sobriety, Kelly made it her mission to share her journey and break the stigma of addiction.
She began writing about her experiences, hoping to reach others who felt trapped in their drinking patterns. Her blog took off, and soon, she became an advocate for sobriety.
“Every good thing I have in my life today is the result of my continued sobriety,” Kelly shares. “Every day, I wake up and choose recovery, and I want others to know that they can do the same. You do not have to suffer in silence. You are not alone.”
Helping others find freedom
Today, Kelly is happily married and living in Cape Coral, Florida, where she continues to inspire others.
She is not only a blogger but also a certified Life and Recovery Coach, guiding people on their own paths to sobriety.
Kelly’s story is proof that recovery isn’t about losing something—it’s about gaining a life you never thought possible. You can follow her journey and connect with her through her website, The Sober Señorita.
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Jamie DeLoe: finding and practicing grace in recovery
Jamie DeLoe, who lives in Tucson, Arizona, openly admits that she was once a heavy drinker. Alcohol became her way of coping with the relentless symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For years, she tried to manage her mental health with alcohol, but instead, it only deepened her struggles.
A turning point toward sobriety
In June 2013, Jamie found sobriety and a new purpose. She started her blog, Sober Grace, as a way to document her journey through recovery while managing a dual diagnosis—alcohol addiction combined with a diagnosed mental health disorder. Her writing is raw, honest, and deeply personal as she shares the highs and lows of sobriety.
“Over the last couple of years, I have been to treatment for addiction twice, spent time in the psych ward, and suffered lots of negative consequences due to my drinking,” Jamie writes.
Faith, grace, and healing
Jamie credits her recovery to faith and acceptance of grace. “What I have learned is that recovery, for me, only works when I recognize and accept God’s grace. I know that I can’t do it alone—I tried that for many years unsuccessfully. But thankfully, with God’s help, I am able to clean up the wreckage of my past and live a new life.”
Through her blog, she hopes that by sharing her journey, she can inspire others facing similar struggles. “I hope that something I have written will bring a little bit of grace to your life.”
Life in recovery
Today, Jamie is happily married to her best friend—who is also in recovery. She continues to write about her experiences, offering encouragement to others battling addiction and mental health challenges. Her journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of grace.
You can follow Jamie’s writing on Sober Grace or contact her at jamideloe@gmail.com.
Jean McCarthy: blogger, podcaster, poet, and “UnPickled”
Jean McCarthy spent years living in what she calls a “pickled” state—a mind clouded by alcohol. But when she finally broke free from drinking, she became, by definition, “UnPickled.” That name became the title of her widely acclaimed blog, where she began documenting her sobriety from day one.
A raw and honest beginning
Jean’s first blog post on UnPickled was simple but powerful:
MARCH 21, 2011
One Day Sober
I’ve been here before. One day sober.
I’ve even been two days sober, and once or twice in the past decade, three days sober.
I haven’t gone four days without a drink in over ten years.
Stay tuned. This should be interesting.
That straightforward honesty resonated with readers, and over time, UnPickled grew into a trusted resource for those navigating recovery.
Sharing her journey to help others
Jean describes her sobriety as learning to “walk without the crutch of alcohol.” She initially started blogging for personal accountability, but it quickly became a source of encouragement for thousands.
UnPickled now has over 9,000 followers, proving that her vulnerability has helped many others feel less alone.
She didn’t stop there.
Jean expanded her reach with The Bubble Hour, a podcast dedicated to sharing real stories of recovery. The show’s motto—Real People. Real Stories. Real Hope.—perfectly captures her mission to create a supportive and understanding space for those in sobriety.
A voice in recovery literature
Beyond blogging and podcasting, Jean has used writing as a tool for healing and connection. In June 2020, she released The Ember Ever There: Poems on Change, Grief, Growth, Recovery, and Rediscovery, a poetry collection that explores the emotional depth of her journey.
She also published The UnPickled Holiday Survival Guide, a resource to help people maintain sobriety during the festive season.
And she’s not stopping there—Jean has completed her first novel, further proving that sobriety has allowed her creativity and passion to flourish.
Life in recovery
Today, Jean lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband Ross and their dog, Scout. Through her blog, podcast, and books, she continues to inspire and support those on the path to sobriety. Her journey is proof that recovery is not just about quitting alcohol—it’s about rediscovering who you are and embracing a fuller, more prosperous life.
You can follow Jean’s work at UnPickled or listen to her on The Bubble Hour podcast.
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Sources
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Alcohol Use and Your Health – Informational webpage
- Laura Cathcart Robbins: “The Only One in the Room: Podcast” https://theonlyonepod.com/
- Listen Notes: Get Your Sh*t Together: “Recovering Yourself & Redefining Motherhood with Laura Cathcart” – interview (December 2020)
- The Huffington Post: “I Was The Only Black Person At Elizabeth Gilbert And Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Brave Magic’ Retreat” article, by Laura Cathcart Robbins (October 2018)
- Sober Señorita – Recovery Blog, by Kelly Fitzgerald Junco
- Sober Grace – Recovery Blog, by Jami DeLoe
- UnPickled – Recovery Blog, by Jean McCarthy