Have you ever wondered what it really takes to hit rock bottom, and whether you need to wait for that moment before making a change? In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Karla Adkins, whose harrowing journey with alcohol nearly cost her life at just 37 years old. Through raw and emotional storytelling, Karla shares how her relationship with alcohol began as a solution to anxiety in college, but ultimately led to acute liver failure and a near-death experience. As co-owner of The Zero Proof Life and author of "And She Came Tumbling Down," Karla's story is not just about survival - it's about the shame, stigma, and silence that keeps so many people stuck in dangerous patterns with alcohol. This episode challenges listeners to rethink their assumptions about what problem drinking looks like and offers hope that there are many supportive paths, all while emphasising that you don't have to wait until you hit rock bottom to make a change.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Introduction

04:20 Anxiety began subtly but grew, I was introduced to alcohol at High School.

14:04 In my late twenties, I struggled with fear and shame around drinking.

18:13 Drinking caused confusion and health issues; all bodies react differently.

22:05 Experience of liver failure due to excessive drinking.

28:34 Feared death without sharing untold truth, worried about being misjudged as an alcoholic.

29:33 Understanding alcohol's impact is more than just quitting.

36:59 Discussing shame in addiction is crucial, because shame keeps us stuck.

46:38 I wanted to write about the increasing mortality rates among young women because of drinking.

49:33 Being alcohol-free involves effort and nervous system adjustment.

52:30 In ‘The Zero Proof Life’, we ended up working together as diverse coaches, creating a judgment-free, supportive community. I'm proud of this space.

Anna’s new coaching programme ‘Unstuck!’ helps break the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: The Unstuck! programme

For the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registration

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Karla Adkins:

Karla is co-owner of The Zero Proof Life, and author dedicated to guiding individuals toward a life free of alcohol. With a passion for helping others, Karla brings a wealth of experience and empathy to her coaching practice. Her transformative approach emphasizes self-discovery, empowerment, and sustainable lifestyle changes.

As the author of, "And She Came Tumbling Down", Karla shares her personal journey of triumph over alcohol addiction, offering insights, strategies, and inspiration for those seeking to change their relationship with alcohol. Karla started her alcohol free journey in 2014 and is committed to providing a safe, judgement-free space so others can find their own path to freedom. 

Connect with Karla:

Website: https://www.thezeroprooflife.com

Book: And She Came Tumbling Down 

https://shorturl.at/V2FbJ

Mentioned in this episode:

To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq