In this episode, Kate shares her powerful story of hitting rock bottom and rebuilding her life after addiction. From a psych ward to a DUI, a failing marriage, and being busted by the nursing commission, Kate faced it all. Unemployable in her community and at the lowest point of her career, she entered the monitoring program for nurses with substance use disorders.

Kate recounts how the monitoring program worked, including the infamous app that would show “You Been Selected” in red letters on days she was summoned for a UA. Despite the challenges, Kate found her turning point, got sober in 2018, and began her journey back—ultimately being hired as a psychiatric nurse.

This episode dives into:

• The spiral of addiction: from personal struggles to professional consequences.
• How rock bottom became the foundation for recovery.
• The emotional journey of navigating the monitoring program.
• Finding purpose and hope as a psychiatric nurse in recovery.

Kate’s raw and inspiring story shows that even from the darkest moments, growth and transformation are possible.

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Links: 

You can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katevitela/

Explore Kate’s blog: https://thesobercurator.com/category/sober-lifestyle/youve-been-selected/

Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitela

Email Podcast: [email protected] 

Mentioned in this episode:

Gut Check: A Private Self-Inquiry Course