Shadow Work, Sobriety, and Starting Over: Carrie’s Journey Through Trauma, Grief, and Healing

Sobriety Is More Than Just Quitting Alcohol

Carrie’s story isn’t just about putting down the bottle. It’s about doing the emotional work so many try to avoid—the kind that doesn't come with a clean break or an easy timeline. In this episode of the Sober Strong Podcast, Carrie returns to share her progress since her last interview, revealing what recovery looks like when you’re finally ready to face your past.

If you’re in recovery—or even just sober curious—this one’s worth sitting with. Because healing goes far beyond not drinking.

🎧 Watch my full interview with Carrie in the video link below:

Grief, Trauma, and the Role Alcohol Played

Carrie’s drinking didn’t start as a daily habit. It began with childhood pain that wasn’t properly addressed—and spiraled into something far more destructive over time.

A Stillbirth, A Partner Lost, and Numbing the Pain

At 20, Carrie lost her baby at 39 weeks. Two weeks before, she’d been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Less than a year later, she lost her partner—he died after choking on his own vomit while drunk.

Anyone could assume that would be enough to stop drinking. But grief doesn’t work like that.

“Even though alcohol was the reason he died… it was game on for me after that.”

Early Trauma and a Loss of Safety

At age 12, Carrie was exposed to a situation that shattered her innocence. Her family’s religious upbringing (LDS) meant there were no tools, therapy, or deep conversations to help her make sense of what happened. The response was more or less: “Welcome to the club.”

That’s when she started disconnecting—from her family, from faith, and eventually, from herself.

Sobriety Isn't the Destination—Healing Is

For Carrie, early sobriety felt like she was just existing. There was no alcohol—but there also wasn’t healing.

From Dry Drunk to Deep Recovery

“I was sober, but I was still a mess,” she says. “It wasn’t until I asked why I was drinking that things started to change.”

That’s when she found Shadow Work.

What Is Shadow Work?

Shadow Work is the process of exploring the parts of ourselves we hide, suppress, or ignore. In Carrie’s case, it meant confronting the grief, pain, and self-perception she buried under years

Shadow Work Focus What It Looked Like for Carrie Why It Matters

Repressed Trauma Abuse, stillbirth, losing a partner Helped identify her drinking triggers

Emotional Suppression Grief, shame, abandonment Allowed her to process rather than escape

Self-Worth & Identity Religious conflict, guilt, disconnection Rebuilt trust in herself and her intuition

Spiritual Tools That Made the Difference

Religion didn’t resonate with Carrie, but spirituality did.

Energy Work, Meditations, and Being Present

Instead of praying to a specific deity, Carrie began to connect with universal energy—through grounding, meditation, nature, and reiki. This shift gave her something alcohol never could: inner peace.

“You don’t have to believe in the same God to believe in healing.”

A Morning Routine That Changed Everything

Rather than waking up to her phone, Carrie now focuses on intention. Her daily recovery toolbox includes:

• Early morning workouts (elliptical or walking)

• Stretching and meditating

• Breathwork or silence before work

• Nature walks and sunlight when possible

• Journaling and gratitude reflection

Navigating Sobriety in Relationships

Sobriety doesn’t just change you. It changes your relationships too—sometimes in ways you don’t expect.

Marriage in Recovery: Losing Then Rebuilding Connection

Carrie and her husband Chad both stopped drinking. But their recovery paths looked very different—his was rooted in AA; hers was more spiritual.

“The first year of our sobriety was probably the hardest year of our marriage.”

They were both doing the deep work—but separately. It took communication, counseling, and commitment to rebuild their emotional intimacy.

Staying Sober in a Culture That Glorifies Drinking

Professionally, Carrie works in real estate—a field where drinking is the norm at closings, client dinners, and industry events.

Redefining Boundaries in the Workplace

She had to stop worrying about being the “fun one” and focus on being the present one. Her mindset?

“You can have a drinking buddy or a sober person crunching your numbers.”

Now, she’s noticing a shift. Others in her industry are quietly sharing their own sober journeys too.

A New Kind of Faith: Trusting the Process

Carrie still doesn’t fully define her higher power. But she’s learning that belief doesn’t have to come in a pre-packaged system.

She believes in energy. In the universe. In gratitude. In fate. And above all—she believes in the healing power of honesty.

“The more I share, the more I heal.”

Carrie’s Message for the Quiet Survivors

If there’s one thing Carrie wants others to know, it’s this: you’re not alone. Everyone carries trauma, even if it doesn’t look the same.

Her journey proves that quitting alcohol is only part of the work. Staying sober—especially when you’ve spent years numbing pain—means finally facing that pain head-on.

Final Takeaway

You can stop drinking and still feel broken. But once you face what you’ve been trying to escape, healing is possible. Carrie’s story reminds us all that recovery doesn’t happen in one moment—it happens in many small, honest ones.

If this story resonated with you, consider sharing it. You never know who might need it today.

Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?

If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.

👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching. https://shop.beacons.ai/soberstrong/sobercoaching

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