It’s taken me about 4 months to figure out how to address this topic with you. And with my recent Mother’s Day in rehab [Maplegrove to be exact], I figured it was time to open my book and share a little bit about my struggle with addiction: specifically, alcohol and Xanax use. As you can imagine, Mother’s Day in rehab was NOT what I had in the cards for my life. For my children. For my family. But as my Mom always reminds me, “we plan and God laughs,” I’m pretty sure God has been hosting a comedy show on my behalf the past few years.
My PLAN is to open up more about my addiction [how, when, why, who, you name it] in a series of posts, but as for now I’m just sitting here a little self-conscious opening up this can of worms. But as many friends both in and out of rehab have shared, my story may help another and shed some light on the stigma alcoholism presents.
Since Michael’s birth, I’ve been struggling MUCH more than usual with my alcohol and Xanax use. Heck, I had my family and doctors fooled this was all post-partum depression and hormone related. Little did they know I was hiding bottles, drinking around the clock, using Xanax to sleep at night, and much, much more. Mother’s Day spent in rehab gave me some light as to what I want people to know, what I want my children to know, and most importantly what I want for myself: SOBRIETY. Self-love. Confidence. Commitment.
So, now I’m home, and I have plenty of topics around addiction to share with you. I’m thinking of it like I’m celebrating Mother’s Day all year long. Because God gave me this life to be a Mother my children deserve. And he gave me this life to be the Katie he knows I deserve. Despite what some weak moments or demons might tell me.
Did you swallow or digest all of that?! Now, this is what I’d love to hear from you:
A. Would you like to see more addiction/life/motherhood posts on the blog?
B. How would you feel about a brand change to be more “Mom’s Life” which covers food, family, and addiction?
C. Does this topic of addiction make you nervous or less inclined to read M2MN?
I’m sort of leaning towards option B.- as food and nutrition have always been my passion and career, but LIFE has taken a huge turn for me and my family that I think it’s almost inevitable that my brand changes to encompass all things that make Katie her: addiction, family, and food. I’m also open to suggestions as to what you think a brand name change might include. The wheels aren’t turning as fast as they used to folks!
A big shout-out to Henry Ford Maplegrove, the friends I met there, the friends who are continuously supporting me in and out of rehab [I went twice folks- stay tuned!], the program and people of Alcoholics Anonymous, and of course, my family. I know no one wished this to happen in my life, but I’m making lemon orzo and asparagus salad out of lemons and kicking the shit out of alcohol. One. Day. At. A. Time.
Wow! Thank you for being brave. Happy to hear you are receiving the help and support you need. Addiction has impacted my life significantly. Not as an addict myself but as a spouse, sister, and granddaughter. It is definitely an issue that needs to be brought into the light. I believe it is was Brene Brown who said the opposite of addiction is connection. I am a sometimes reader of the blog but would be 300% more likely to visit if you shared your struggle.
Katie – I for one think it’s theraputic that you are opening up and being “real” to yourself and the readers of your blog. Transparency makes us more relatable because no ones life is all sunshine and roses. I applaud you, wish you well on your sobriety journey and hope that sharing your ups and downs may help others.
As a mom who struggled with alcohol myself I think it’s great that you are sharing this! Too many times, as moms, we don’t fit the profile and are left to feel like we are the only ones battling things like this. Sharing your story may well help someone else get the help they need or just help someone else in their healing journey afterward. I would definitely read more if you continue to share!
Bravo to you for sharing your struggle. I found when I shared about my anxiety it got a lot “easier” to deal with. Helping others helps ourselves! I will keep reading either way!
Wow! You are so generous and brave to share your story. We are all here for you!!!
Thank you for your honesty and bravery in discussing this important topic! Addiction is more prevalent than many people realize. I support the brand change to be more encompassing 🙂
Katie, I am probably much older than most of your mom readers, a nana of 8. Dear girl, I am so proud of you for sharing your Mother’s Day rehab. I have had many a lousy Mother’s Days when I wished they didn’t celebrate, but for other reasons. Point is we are not perfect and you are wise to listen to your mom’s wisdom.
Thank you for sharing, keep sharing for you and for us (your readers). Life is a journey and much more pleasant and healthy when done with others who care. That’s what your blog is about right, “mealtime happier and healthier”. Overcoming addiction and struggles truly fit in being “happier and healthier”. What do you think of swapping out “Nutrition” for “Nu-mission”?
Whatever you choose, Katie, I’m with you and you are in my prayers.
Wow! You are so brave (and wise) to share this with the world. Good for you! I think a brand change is probably a good idea since M2MN is more about nutrition and it sounds like you will be writing more about addiction. Either way, I just think it’s awesome that you are talking about it openly!
Thank you for sharing! So brave if you to share this. We all have our downfalls and I think no less of you. In fact I admire you for sharing your story. I think it gives others the courage to face things they might be going through, whether it be addiction, depression , abuse etc. Your content is awesome and I will continue to read and share it. Praying for you, that God will give you strength and courage to overcome this. We struggle and we get stronger and wiser. You’ll be good. Blessings 😊🙏🏽
I for one am glad your opening up about this issue ! I have lots of family with drug and alcohol issues and we that love them might gain some information through you on the best ways to support them through this . You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers 🙏💗
Thank you for your honesty and transparency! I’m glad you are sharing your story – I know it will be inspirational and helpful for so many. Wishing you all the best.
And I like option B – I think that makes the most sense and is all encompassing!
Katie, the courage that it took to write this post is inspiring. Anyone can curate a “life” on the internet, but only the truly brave share their vulnerabilities. Go with your heart on this one. Addiction doesn’t have a “type” or boundaries. Share your story because it’s part of you. Your honesty may help in your own healing, as well as give others the courage to face their own addictions. ❤️
I think mom life is the way to go. I am all about authenticity and as our diet has changed, I have read less of your posts. Including more than nutritional posts, would bring me back to reading the prog more frequently 🙂
It’s refreshing to see when someone opens up and shares some of the imperfect facets of life. I don’t always open your recipe emails (mostly because when I need a recipe I’ll go looking) but something honest and personal like this message deserves more attention and feedback from the reader.
There are many recipes sharing sites but one that shares recipes for treating addiction too are more useful! Keep your M2MN but add “Nourishment for a Mom’s Mind and Body.”
Good work working on yourself and sharing the struggles. If you ACTED like it was easy with FOUR kids, I’d roll my eyes. Instead after reading how I want to hug you or high five.
I started reading your blog because I am a dietitian working in the WIC program. I find your recipes, ideas, and posts helpful to share with clients. Having said that, I applaud you for sharing your struggle. Addiction is a disease. Our society should treat it as such. I am confident that many will benefit from your bravery in posting about this part of your real life. Keep us all informed of your progress. (My brother is 11 years sober. He attends/leads AA meetings twice a week). I like the idea of ‘nu-mission’. Maybe momtomomnutrittionnu-mision. God’s blessings. HE’s got this.
Katie, This is extremely bold and fearless. God Bless you for your transparency. I have not looked at other comments, so I’m not sure if this has already been said, but help us. Hearing from someone I love dearly as a friend that she is going through this struggle makes me want to reach out. I want to reach out and help people with 4 children because that alone is a struggle we need to share. Managing this and a family seems like it needs a village. Help your readers know what we should do when a friend tells us they are struggling with or tackling an addiction? I’m afraid if I am not able to help or don’t know what to do to help I could end up avoiding you or feeling strange when I see you. On the other hand, texting you or your hubby to ask what we can do may not be a good approach either? Could people start a meal train? Watch children? Help you get out of the house on a daily basis, or hold you accountable to something? Do you need to hear from others who have struggled with something similar? Let us know. And please know you are LOVED MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!
I lost my Mom to alcoholism and pain pill use when I was 7 so this is near and dear to my heart. I know how hard it is to admit your addiction so I applaud you. Please keep fighting for your life. Please keep posting about if that is what will help you recover. God didn’t design us to be sovereign beings without needing him. I’m going to pray for your sobriety journey. If my Mom had your courage to go to rehab and AA I might have her here with me today.
Dear Katie, You are so strong and brave! Definitely share your real life and your real struggles. As you can already see from the comments here, your readers can relate and you will give others courage to face their own battles. And please let us know – what can we do to help you, or to help others in our lives that are struggling with similar things. I will definitely keep you and your sweet family in my prayers! You are so loved. Be strong. You will get through this.
I’m so proud of you for sharing your story! We are all so much more complex than what is seen through the filter of social media and the internet. I think you’ll find the perfect balance that meets your needs professionally and personally – and that may change over time. Totally fine. You do what you need to take care of yourself, maintain your serenity and have joy.
Katie – It takes a tremendous amount of strength to not only face your problems head on, but to open up about them to relative and complete strangers. I’m not a mom….but I’m married to one 🙂 I enjoy reading your blog and to answer your questions to A) Yes B) Good C) More. Everyone has stuff; I support the idea of “keeping it real” and reject the idea that everyone must be perfect all the time.
I’m sure you have a ton of support, but please let me know if there’s anything I can be of assistance with from the medicine side. Good luck to you and your family on this journey.
Thank you for sharing.I am familiar with your sister in law, and I think strength runs in your family ( blood related or not !) I recently went through something similar. And by, I went through it, I mean years of struggle. I never officially went to rehab, but my family visiting from Europe recognized the warning signs and had a ” low key” intervention with me that pushed me to get over this myself. For me it was ” just Alcohol” . I also have 3 kids btw. I’ve been searching a community for support, because I don’t have anyone to talk to about this. I’ve been sober a month and a half. Mothers day weekend was a struggle for me, because I was around my husbands family, and they are all drinkers. I wish you the best, and I wish us all the power to get through this. Stay strong, friend !
Katie – I give you major kudos for bringing this out in the open. I’m so happy to hear you’re receiving help and working on your addiction. I love the idea of more “mom life” topics since everyone is dealing with issues of their own and your posts could be very helpful. I bet you’ll naturally find the right blog direction and run with it 🙂
Katie,
Thank you for having the courage and strength to share your story. I am sending love and encouragement your way, friend. I enjoy your recipes but this is your blog and you write what feels right to you! I do believe your openness can help others but I hope you’ll do what feels best for yourself and your health. If you don’t read Brene Brown, you should consider doing so…you are a true example of what she would call living a whole hearted life by being brave and vulnerable. Hugs to you friend! ❤
Congratulations on your bravery… I don’t think I could put myself out there like you have but I’m impressed. I think you should do whatever feels best and safe for you to do with your brand – your health is the most important thing. I like the idea of option B but will not stop following you whatever you decide to do. I think a lot more people struggle with similar stuff that we arent aware of. Well wishes and stay healthy. I’ll be keeping up with your blog regardless!
Katie,
I cannot imagine the strength & courage it took on your part to make this personal challenge public information- I applaud you for that. And good for you for recognizing the issue & seeking help, probably one of the hardest parts of the entire process. I think a lot of us struggle with this constant dependence (or even addiction) on alcohol, especially as our society & social interactions just seem to reinforce “turning to the bottle” every chance we get (drink when you’re happy, drink when you’re stressed, drink to have fun, etc). It’s not easy to turn away from it. So thank you for shedding light on this topic. Prayers & support being sent your way, mama!! Stay strong.
Thank you for sharing your ups as well as your downs. No one is perfect and motherhood tests all of our limits. We can all benefit from sharing our challenges and helping to support each other during those tough times. Sending you love!
So brave of you. I would definitely continue to read the blog no matter what you post! And this will be life changing for many mothers in the same or similar situations.
Hi Katie.
It’s refreshing to see a genuine soul on the internet. You are the embodiment of a “good mom,” “Good moms” spend Mother’s Day in rehab in order to become better moms and to dramatically improve the odds that they will be around to be parents for years to come. Well done. I like the idea of the new brand. Healing and change are possible. By your online presence you can be a beacon of hope (just not THE beacon 🙂 ).
Thank you for sharing! Please write more about this. You are brave and it will help so many people.
Hi Katie,
As you can probably see from the out pouring of love and support you have received from all the comments, this is a powerful topic. I don’t think anyone really knows how hard mom life (and life in general) is going to be until they are there, experiencing it first hand. You have a powerful message to share and an amazing platform to do it. I think this shift will be a great change that can truly help and inspire others. Thinking of you and will be praying for your strength and healing as you progress forward. #spartanswill
Lots of love!
Jessica
You are loved! May you continue your journey with courage as you generously share your path back to your JOY with each of us! I’m thinking we need to get that girls weekend on the calendar and steal away to a hotel with our little ladies for some much needed R+R!
I already love your IG posts and have frequented the blog, as a fellow Momma and MSU grad, but I am 1000x more likely to visit if you post about your addictions! It’s so scary and puts you in such a vulnerable position, but that’s why it’s so refreshing. I’m so sick of the “Influencer” culture and the drive to only post perfect depictions of motherhood and life in general. Life is not perfect, and Moms are not immune to addiction, if anything, they are much more susceptible as we are under such pressure. My own mother never successfully battled her demons and I stood at her side a year ago this March, with my 5 month old baby strapped to my chest, as she drew her last breath, due to advance liver cirrhosis. I hadn’t seen her in over 2 years, I wasn’t even sure she knew my youngest child’s name. The alcoholism stole her away from everyone who loved her. Your children are so lucky to have you as their Mother, someone who is choosing to the absolute hardest thing and fight an addiction. It’s an illness, and you don’t deserve it, you didn’t ask for it, and it’s not fair. But here you are. Sending you nothing but light and love!
Wow, I would have never known you were going through all this. I think it’s great you are getting the help you need and are being so transparent about everything. You are one strong Mama!!!
My youngest sister is an (re-covering) alchoholic. Hang in there. I want to keep getting your emails.
You are very brave! Your kids are so lucky to have such a strong mama! Sending you love & best wishes!
Hey Katie, thank you for sharing. You are honest, brave and still the same Katie we all know and love to follow, you are just sharing another complicated and vulnerable layer of your life. I for one hope you will continue to share more about all aspects of your life, including your struggle with addiction. You have a lot of people rooting for you and here, “listening”.