As a little girl, Nichol was not protected the way a child should be. The abuse she suffered left emotional wounds that she kept hidden from the world. Through her teens and adult years, she leaned on alcohol to cope and, despite a strong work ethic and deep love for her daughters, dependency unfolded. Her pattern was unpredictable and she suffered frightening blackouts frequently.

Then came an experience that changed everything. Nichol woke up one morning caked in blood and did not recognize the disfigured face in the mirror. A drunken fall the night before nearly ended her life, but she summoned her strength to use the experience as a catalyst for change.

Nichol recently celebrate her 50th birthday and a 3 year milestone of sobriety. She shares her story in hopes of taking away some of the stigma and shame others might feel who have been through similar experiences.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.
If you choose to click through and make a purchase,
this podcast may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Thanks for your support of the Bubble Hour in this way.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Bubble Hour S9E2 Shelby John

January 11, 2021

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2021/01/11/shelby-john

Getting sober is just the beginning for recovery coach and therapist Shelby John, who believes that we can then go on to reach higher for a more joyful, fulfilling life than we ever imagined.

Now 18+ years sober, Shelby recognizes that she not only hit a bottom with her addiction but also then hit what she calls a “sober bottom”; a point at which she saw a need to live differently.

Learn more about Shelby at www.shelbyjohncoaching.com and check out her podcast https://confidentsoberwomen.buzzsprout.com. Shelby has created a Facebook group for women in recovery here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen

Resources mentioned in this episode:

S9E1 New Year’s Wishes

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour /2021/01/06/new-years-wishes

Welcome to Season 9 of The Bubble Hour!

Host Jean McCarthy shares some thoughts about this special time of year, looks back over 9 years of this podcast and offers inspiration for the days ahead.

Recovery is better together and The Bubble Hour is honoured to be part of your recovery toolkit!

The Bubble Hour S8E48 Darcy’s Story

December 28, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/12/29/darcys-story

Darcy noticed she was becoming increasingly reliant on alcohol to relax after her twin boys were born. Then came the double trauma of a miscarriage followed by a devastating decision to end another ill-fated pregnancy.

Darcy tried to push through her emotions, carrying on with her job and meeting the demands of parenting her young sons. She began using alcohol to cope, and the progression took off. She began to question her own value and when she wondered if her family might be better off without her, she knew it was time to ask for help.

After some time of being alcohol-free, as well as a joyfully successful pregnancy, Darcy contemplated moderation and found that her drinking returned to previous patterns. It was alarming and quick.

Soon she was back in care and determined to do whatever it might take to be free of the hold that alcohol had over her.

The Bubble Hour S8E45 Michael Blanchard

December 7, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/12/08/michael-blanchard-through-a-sober-lens

Michael Blanchard’s work combines photography and personal essays to illuminate the recovery experience and show the beauty and hope beyond the darkness of addiction. His books include Fighting for My Life: Finding Hope and Serenity on Martha’s Vineyard and Through a Sober Lens: A Photographer’s Journey. Michael is a gallery owner on Martha’s Vineyard who sees his storefront as more than a place to present art; it is also a way to connect with others and share his message of hope.

Visit Michael’s website learn more about his story at www.blanchardphotomv.com

The Bubble Hour S8E44 Louise A

November 30, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/12/01/louise-a

“This was a T-intersection. This was not a crossroads. If I carried on drinking, I knew exactly where I was going to go.”

Louise A. shares her story of reluctant participation in the recovery process. It took some time for her to accept that she was like the other people in the meetings that she’d been attending.

“It was like waking up on a rollercoaster every single day,” she says. “Full speed. Strapped in. Tied down. Unable to do anything or think about anything until it stopped.”

Now Louise sees those meetings as “a place where we are able to practice being ourselves” and explore what it feels like to live more authentically.

Louise’s poetry page is on Instagram @mypoetryismytherapy

The Bubble Hour S8E43 Michael Gallagher

November 24, 2020November 24, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/11/24/michael-gallagher

Michael Gallagher is an author, speaker and coach, whose recovery has involved peeling back layers of childhood trauma and family instability while examining the effects of highly controlling religious teachings. His book, Waking Up: A Guide for Transformation, is part memoir and part self-help guide. In it, Michael details dramatic events that shaped his early life and how being disfellowed and shunned from his mother’s religion fuelled his mental and physical decline into addiction.

For more information, visit www.michaelgallagherspeaks.com

Resources discussed in this episode:

The Bubble Hour S8E40 Kate Baily and Mandy Manners

November 2, 2020November 24, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/11/02/kate-baily-and-mandy-manners

Kate Baily and Mandy Manners of www.loversober.com share their personal stories and chat about their new book Love Yourself Sober.

Their website includes links for personal coaching, an online community for women in recovery and tons of resources. Kate and Mandy are dedicated to helping others find a workable recovery plan that makes sense for the individual.

The Bubble Hour S8E39 Jennifer’s Story

October 26, 2020November 24, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/10/26/jennifers-story

Jennifer had begun to question her relationship to alcohol when her body started to show some strange symptoms. Even though both Jennifer and her husband are medical professionals, it took a while to realize that alcohol was the root cause of her episodes of muscle weakness. Jennifer shares her story as a way to celebrate her one-year milestone and to give back to the podcast that helped her so much throughout the journey.

The Bubble Hour S8E38 Lotta Dann and The Wine O’Clock Myth

October 19, 2020November 24, 2020

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2020/10/19/lotta-dann-and-the-wine-oclock-myth

Lotta Dann talks about her latest book “The Wine O’Clock Myth,” which takes a look at the way alcohol seeps into all aspects of life and why we need to take a strong stand against the persuasion of the alcohol industry. Lotta’s blog is Mrs. D is Going Without. She is the author of two other books as well, Mrs. D. is Going Without and Mrs. D is Going Within. Lotta runs an online recovery community called Living Sober

Host Jean McCarthy’s blog is UnPickled and you can find her books here.