Jessica and I first bonded over missing teeth—a not-so-glamorous side effect of blackout drinking. When I met her in 2021, she was hosting an online meeting for the virtual sobriety group @sobermomssquad. It was my first time connecting with recovery friends through internet meetings, where I logged into Zoom, stared at tiny square icons, and told complete strangers my life story. What stood out wasn’t just the vulnerability—it was the laughter. Hard, belly-aching, trust-filled laughter with another woman I had just met online.
As we got to know each other, we realized our connection went beyond being drunk and toothless. Jessica and I were both “classically trained,” as I like to call it, in the rooms of AA. We’d each worked with sponsors and gone through the steps, gaining a positive foundation from that experience. However, we also shared a curiosity for growth beyond AA’s framework. Neither of us felt tied to a dogmatic approach. Instead, we recognized that while the basic principles of AA helped us get sober, other teachings in spirituality and personal development radically transformed our recovery journeys.
We also shared a fascination with the spiritual mysteries sobriety awakens in those who’ve hit rock bottom. It’s not just about stopping drinking—it’s about uncovering a depth and purpose you didn’t know existed.
Jessica has taken her passion for recovery even further by joining forces with her husband to grow Fight Addiction Now, a thriving online community with over a million followers. Together, they’ve created a space where people can find resources, connections, and support in their recovery journeys.
Fast forward to 2024: as I began a new chapter in my spiritual journey, I envisioned creating a group coaching space where the science of addiction and spirituality could come together. Jessica was the first person I reached out to. She’s a longtime student of A Course in Miracles, has years of sobriety under her belt, and has read countless books on neuroscience while following her intuition into advanced learning.
After hours of phone calls, voice messages, and Zoom brainstorming sessions, The Shift was born. Launching on February 22, 2025—symbolically tied to the angel number 222—this 10-week group coaching experience is designed for women seeking transformation.
What is The Shift?
It’s a space where science meets spirit. We tackle topics like:
- Addiction Science and Neuroplasticity: Understanding the brain’s role in recovery and rewiring thought patterns.
- Fear and Limiting Beliefs: Breaking free from what holds you back.
- Resentments and Personal Discovery: Letting go of the past to discover your authentic self.
- Spiritual Growth and Humor: Deepening your connection to a higher power while finding joy in the journey.
Jessica and I poured our hearts into this program, and we believe it has the power to inspire profound change. We’re here to help women not just stay sober but thrive in every area of their lives.
Join us for The Shift—a place to explore, grow, and laugh while transforming your recovery and life. Launching February 22, 2025. ✨
Resources:
YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED: Kate Vitela has been an RN in the Pacific Northwest for over two decades. She has been sober since 2018. You’ve Been Selected is a column that describes her journey through sobriety coaching, 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.
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.
