I could talk for hours about this, I thought to myself. I am surprised more people in recovery or seeking sobriety don’t seem to have a lot of knowledge about what to expect throughout the phases of their recovery. But then again, until I was going through it, I didn’t care much to know either. At about two years sober, when I found myself still experiencing mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and periods of anhedonia, I hit the books. Why was everyone else on a “pink cloud,” and I was in a rainstorm? I needed to understand. That’s about when I began studying to become a certified addiction RN.
Having been a nurse since I was twenty-two years old, I was curious about what the medical community was saying about the science of addiction and recovery. When I learned about post-acute withdrawal syndrome and the process of neurogenesis our brains were undergoing, it seemed to comfort me. I was not alone. I was a human being who poisoned her brain for decades, and now it would take some time to heal. This gave me not only insight but more patience throughout the process. This is why they call it “being in recovery.” It’s mind, body, and spirit. All of it is recovering from the chemical process of intoxication as well as the trauma inflicted while pursuing drunkenness, not to mention the painful reasons we wanted to numb out in the first place. There is so much to uncover and recover!
A few weeks ago, a friend and fellow nurse coach, Sarah Morgando @sarahmorgando, interviewed me regarding my coaching practice. I posted a short reel on IG that captured snippets of an interview. The reel depicted me re-enacting my exasperated state in early sobriety when I was struggling with post-acute withdrawal or PAWS. Being the typical drama queen that I am, I threw my hands in the air, yelling, “I am sober. Why don’t I feel better?!!” The sentiment resonated with people. My inbox blew up, and hundreds of people began following my content.
Maybe people are hungry for knowledge, I thought. Or perhaps they are underwhelmed by sobriety and wondering why everyone else is happily sipping mocktails and dancing on tables. I remembered how little we are taught about addiction and recovery and how deceiving sober social media can be. #soberisbetter What if you are sober and don’t feel better? What then? What if it’s not all unicorns and mocktails?
Join me on July 10th at 6 pm PST, and let’s chat. I plan to unpack the stages of recovery from alcohol and what to expect. But more than just a class, it’s a space for healing, learning, and growth. My passion for hosting this class stems from my own experiences. I have witnessed the transformative power of recovery, both in my own life and in the lives of those around me. I’ve seen how understanding the stages of recovery can provide clarity and direction and inspire hope and resilience. I will be talking about everything from physical sobriety, post-acute withdrawal, and mental health to emotional recovery and long-term strategies.
YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED: Kate Vitela has been an RN in Pacific Northwest for over two decades. She has been sober since 2018. You’ve Been Selected is a column that describes her journey through addiction, eating disorders, and what is now known as Drunkorexia. The title comes from years of mandatory drug testing Kate endured after nearly ruining her nursing career due to alcohol. Kate recalls seeing these words appear on her phone each day she was chosen to randomly drug test to prove her sobriety to the nursing board.
Kate chronicles her struggle with body image, perfectionism, stigma, shame, and burnout throughout her career. She also turns this twisted narrative into triumph as she internalizes it as a sign from the universe to speak up and tell her story. Kate continues to work as a leader in the mental health nursing field and is studying to become a board-certified nurse coach.
In her free time, Kate is actively involved in the fashion industry in the PNW. She also serves on the board of the Break Free Foundation, which produces twice-annual shows for NYFW. She has been modeling for two years since starting the blog Walk Your Talk.
Follow along with Kate on IG @katevitela or email her directly at vitela.kate@gmail.com
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
