Party Girl to Purpose-Driven: Kat's Alcoholism Recovery

On this week’s episode of the Recovery Valve podcast, host Eric Kennedy sits down with Kat, a woman whose journey through addiction, faith, and recovery reveals both the darkness of alcoholism and the hope that comes from surrendering and connection.

Early Life and First Encounters with Alcohol

Kat grew up in Denver in what she describes as a loving home, yet she always felt different—uncomfortable in her own skin and disconnected from others. Despite being athletic and academically gifted, she never felt like she belonged. Alcohol entered her life at 12, and from the first drink she experienced a powerful sense of relief. What others saw as a bad night, she saw as the best night of her life. That early relationship with alcohol quickly grew into a dependence.

Faith, Marriage, and a False Sense of Control

At 18, Kat met someone who introduced her to Christianity in a way she had never heard before. She had a heart transformation, stopped drinking, and married young. For several years she stayed dry, convincing herself that faith alone would solve the deeper issues of her alcoholism. But without tools to deal with her restlessness and sense of not belonging, the old patterns eventually resurfaced.

The Spiral of Addiction

Trade shows, new jobs, and exposure to party culture reintroduced alcohol—and soon drugs—into her life. Cocaine, Adderall, Xanax, and MDMA became part of her daily routine. Outwardly, she was successful, but inwardly she was unraveling. Her marriage collapsed, she ran from responsibility, and guilt and shame mounted. At her lowest, she contemplated suicide and felt completely cut off from God.

A Stranger’s Honesty Planted a Seed

The turning point began at the gym. A woman named Kathy noticed Kat’s struggle and, without judgment, shared her own recovery story. That small act planted a seed of hope. When Kat finally reached a breaking point, she knew where to turn.

Entering the Rooms of AA

Though resistant at first, Kat attended her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in September 2015. What she found wasn’t judgment, but acceptance. People remembered her name, encouraged her, and made her feel like she belonged for the first time in her life. The meetings became her lifeline. On November 1, 2015, she fully committed to sobriety—her clean date.

Lessons in Recovery

Kat is clear that recovery requires daily spiritual and practical work. Faith in Jesus remains central to her life, but she also recognises that the 12 steps provide essential tools for someone with alcoholism. For her, recovery is about community, accountability, and consistent practice—not just willpower or belief.

Why Her Story Matters

Kat shares her story openly on social media, not to seek attention but to extend the same lifeline that Kathy once gave her. She knows that sometimes it takes a stranger’s honesty to break through the shame and isolation of addiction.

Key Takeaways from Kat’s Story:

• Addiction often begins long before the first drink—it starts with a deep sense of disconnection.
• Faith can be a powerful foundation, but many need structured recovery tools alongside spiritual belief.
• Community and honesty are essential; recovery rarely happens in isolation.
• One person’s courage to share their story can change another person’s life.