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. For links to resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/01/18/the-bubble-hour-s9e3-nichols-story/ * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickledBlog.com and her latest books are at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books