211. Hospice Nurse Julie On Sobriety After 20 Years Of Drinking and Using
Explicit content warning
11/21/23 • 61 min
Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden grew up in a normal 80s childhood, but obsessive thoughts plagued her from a young age. The people around her constantly asked “why can’t you relax?” And she immediately internalized the idea that there was something wrong with her.
At 13, she found alcohol and the thoughts would go away. It became her first tool to manage her obsessive compulsive anxiety. Now she knew how to keep things together, but she needed alcohol.
In college she kept the facade going even when she’d evolved to a daily heroin user. As things got darker and darker she told herself she wasn’t any worse off than anyone else. But in the back of her mind she knew there was something wrong.
She was able to get off heroin and told herself getting off that single substance would solve her problems. Her problems continued as she drank and used drugs through nursing school and as she began her career. Even with all the partying she could always keep the wheels on.
Then things became more and more problematic and she felt like she needed to change. She moved to California with a vow to change her life. But attempt after attempt failed until she finally found lasting recovery.
Today, Julie works in Hospice care and has a successful TikTok channel with over a million followers.
Tune In To Learn About:
Early Struggles with Obsessive Thoughts: Discover how Julie's childhood was overshadowed by obsessive thoughts, leading those around her to question why she couldn't relax. Understand the impact of these thoughts on her self-perception.
Nursing Career Amidst Addiction: Explore the challenges Julie faced as she pursued a nursing career while continuing to grapple with addiction. Understand how she managed to keep the appearance of stability, even as her life became increasingly problematic.
The Failed Attempts at Change: Hear about Julie's attempts to change her life, including a move to California with a vow to transform. Discover the struggles she faced and the repeated failures before finding the path to lasting recovery.
From Struggle to Success: Explore Julie's present-day success, as she not only thrives in her career but also boasts a TikTok channel with over a million followers. Uncover the empowering messages she shares with her audience and the impact of her story on others.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Nurse Julie
TikTok | @hospicenursejulie
Instagram | @hospicenursejulie
Youtube | @hospicenursejulie
Facebook | @hospicenursejulie
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?
Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to Change
Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Lionrock Resources
Nurses Program | lionrockrecovery.com/programs/nurses
Lionrock Recovery | lionrockrecovery.com
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden grew up in a normal 80s childhood, but obsessive thoughts plagued her from a young age. The people around her constantly asked “why can’t you relax?” And she immediately internalized the idea that there was something wrong with her.
At 13, she found alcohol and the thoughts would go away. It became her first tool to manage her obsessive compulsive anxiety. Now she knew how to keep things together, but she needed alcohol.
In college she kept the facade going even when she’d evolved to a daily heroin user. As things got darker and darker she told herself she wasn’t any worse off than anyone else. But in the back of her mind she knew there was something wrong.
She was able to get off heroin and told herself getting off that single substance would solve her problems. Her problems continued as she drank and used drugs through nursing school and as she began her career. Even with all the partying she could always keep the wheels on.
Then things became more and more problematic and she felt like she needed to change. She moved to California with a vow to change her life. But attempt after attempt failed until she finally found lasting recovery.
Today, Julie works in Hospice care and has a successful TikTok channel with over a million followers.
Tune In To Learn About:
Early Struggles with Obsessive Thoughts: Discover how Julie's childhood was overshadowed by obsessive thoughts, leading those around her to question why she couldn't relax. Understand the impact of these thoughts on her self-perception.
Nursing Career Amidst Addiction: Explore the challenges Julie faced as she pursued a nursing career while continuing to grapple with addiction. Understand how she managed to keep the appearance of stability, even as her life became increasingly problematic.
The Failed Attempts at Change: Hear about Julie's attempts to change her life, including a move to California with a vow to transform. Discover the struggles she faced and the repeated failures before finding the path to lasting recovery.
From Struggle to Success: Explore Julie's present-day success, as she not only thrives in her career but also boasts a TikTok channel with over a million followers. Uncover the empowering messages she shares with her audience and the impact of her story on others.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Nurse Julie
TikTok | @hospicenursejulie
Instagram | @hospicenursejulie
Youtube | @hospicenursejulie
Facebook | @hospicenursejulie
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?
Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to Change
Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Lionrock Resources
Nurses Program | lionrockrecovery.com/programs/nurses
Lionrock Recovery | lionrockrecovery.com
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
Previous Episode
Q+A What If I Don't Want To Go To AA?
In this Q+A episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, we delve into the question many individuals ask themselves on their recovery journey: "What if I don't want to go to AA?". Host Ashley Loeb Blassingame shares insights on how to help you navigate alternative paths to recovery.
Tune in to learn about:
Understanding Resistance: Uncover the main reasons why some individuals may hesitate to embrace a 12-step program and explore common misconceptions surrounding it.
Beyond Religion: Discover how to find and maintain recovery without relying on religious aspects, providing inclusive options for individuals seeking a secular approach.
Exploring Alternatives: Learn about the myriad of recovery options available outside of AA, from evidence-based therapies to community-based support groups, and gain insights into how these alternatives can be just as effective.
Personalized Recovery: Understand the importance of identifying the right program for you. Explore how tailoring your recovery journey to fit your unique needs and preferences can lead to long-lasting success.
Join us as we navigate the diverse landscape of recovery, offering valuable insights, debunking myths, and empowering you to make the choices that resonate with your personal journey. Tune in and take the first step toward a recovery path that aligns with your values and aspirations.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?
Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to Change
Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Lionrock Resources
Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
Next Episode
212. Recovering Out Loud In Corporate America With Marin Nelson
Marin Nelson loved drinking from the moment she began. It was an immediate connection that she’d been searching for. Early on she found herself having panic attacks and being stuck in the destructive cycles of use. She began searching for all kinds of cures for her health concerns. She became a Vegan. She tried volunteering. She tried new groups and clubs and health kicks but never considered alcohol to be the root of her problems.
She eventually found recovery that worked for her after a long road of failed attempts and as her recovery and her career grew, she began to feel the desire to share her recovery. She knew there were other people in her workplace community that were struggling with the same problems, but no organized community existed. This need was the birth of Soberforce.
In her role at Salesforce, she created an open group for people to meet and share their sobriety out loud. What started small grew to 500 members in a matter of months.
Today, she works to combat the stigma people face in the workplace and to educate companies about the need to create a more supportive environment for their employees struggling with substances.
Tune In To Learn About:
Immediate Connection with Alcohol: Discover Marin's early experiences with alcohol and how it provided an immediate connection she had been searching for. Uncover the initial allure and its impact on her life.
Unconventional Solutions: Explore Marin's journey through unconventional solutions, such as adopting a vegan lifestyle, volunteering, joining new groups and clubs, and embracing health kicks—all while overlooking alcohol as the root cause of her problems.
Birth of Soberforce: Learn about the catalyst for Marin's desire to share her recovery journey and the founding of Soberforce. Understand the gap she identified in her workplace community and how Soberforce emerged to address this need.
Combating Stigma in the Workplace: Gain insights into Marin's efforts to combat the stigma associated with substance use in the workplace. Understand her mission to educate companies about the importance of fostering a more supportive environment for employees dealing with substance-related challenges.
Educating Companies: Discover Marin's advocacy for creating awareness and understanding within companies about the unique needs of employees in recovery. Learn about the positive impact of supportive workplace environments on individuals struggling with substances.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Marin
LinkedIn | @marinenelson
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?
Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to Change
Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Lionrock Resources
Nurses Program | lionrockrecovery.com/programs/nurses
Lionrock Recovery | lionrockrecovery.com
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
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