317. Addiction & Sobriety w/ The Recovery Baddie Hayley Waters

It is national recovery month, so we’re going back to out home base - Sobriety and Recovery! We’re talking to Hayley Waters, the Recovery Baddie. This interview was such a good time and we’re so excited to have you sit in on this powerful conversation! Hayley is one badass sober babe and we are HERE FOR IT!!!! 

In this episode we discuss:
- Identifying as an alcoholic/addict vs. being alcohol-free (labels) 
-Shame associated with being an alcoholic/ addict as a mother
-Gratitude

"My name is Hayley. I’m 35, from Washington, D.C., and my sobriety date is August 28th, 2020.  I grew up in an American military family. Looking back, I started displaying signs of addiction at a very early age. Early in childhood, my parents divorced; I grew up fast, experimented young, and struggled to find my identity and purpose in life.

By 16, I began partying often. When my peers stopped or moved on, I was looking for the next “scene” and the next group of friends that accepted my lifestyle without judgment or questions. By nothing short of a miracle, I made it to adulthood. I fell in love, had a beautiful child, and shortly after his birth, I was diagnosed with Stage II Lymphoma. After 6 months of chemotherapy, I came out on the other side. Nevertheless, I struggled with an endless search to reveal why I survived, what incredible thing was I destined to do that granted this second chance? Shame for disappointing the universe and my perception of higher purpose reverted me to the only thing I knew to cope with- substance abuse.

I retreated into my disease quickly. I lost relationships, engaged in risky behavior over and over, and continued to down a shame spiral perpetuated by my addiction. At the height of it, I was drinking from the moment I woke up; to the moment I went to bed and stopped loving myself.   In August 2020, I checked myself into detox and I’ve been in recovery ever since. Through meetings, my program, and my sober support network, I have a life I never thought possible, and that I finally believe I deserve. I love myself more than I ever thought possible. If you’re struggling to understand your relationship with addiction, stay because you’re finally home."

-Follow Hayley on Instagram @recoverybaddie
-Get 20% off Pro Recovery Power Merch w/Code HAYLEY20 prorecoverypower.com

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube & his Limiting Beliefs Sessions on Instagram
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus

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