As Amy Cara heard these words while in church, she knew God was speaking directly to her.

Soon thereafter, Amy fell asleep early one evening after drinking and heard the distant cries of her toddler.

The next morning Amy flipped through the phone book and found Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

After nineteen years of sobriety, Amy has learned:

“We don’t need to live with these particular inclinations we may have that are outside of God’s will. There is help. God is the Restorer. He’s the Healer.”

Listen as Amy shares about addictions, stigmas, masks and ultimately the miraculous healing work of God. And learn about a whole new level of restoration God may just have in store for you

Lindy WynneNovember 15, 2024Amy Cara, alcoholism, alcohol, alcoholic, rehab, restoration, rehabilitation, AA, A., Alcoholics AnonymousComment

Totally Dependent on God with Frank, Member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Five-year-old Frank sat on the steps of his parents' home and couldn't wait to drink like the adults he was watching.

From 16 to 60 alcohol consumed Frank's life--it was an obsession of his mind. Frank would wake up each morning recovering from the night before, eat mid-day and spend the afternoons functioning until he could finally be drinking again.

At sixty Frank found himself hospitalized when he was visiting Memphis, TN. The doctors were concerned he may have a heart problem and required he drive back to Nashville, TN in an ambulance.

Frank's wife trailed the ambulance for three hours of his journey back to Nashville--Frank recounts how the look in her eyes moved from contempt to pity. He couldn't take the look of pity and it broke open his heart.

Frank asked for help that day and has remained sober due to his daily dependence on God for thirteen years. Frank tells listeners that while we may give up on ourselves, God never gives up on us. Frank is now happier than he ever imagined possible.

After Alcohol: Finding Joy with Rachel, Member of Alcoholics Anonymous

Rachel's husband was going to leave here and take their children with him. While Rachel had been deceiving her husband and hiding the extent of her drinking for some time, her recent car accident couldn't be explained away. She was caught.

In this Easter podcast, Rachel looks back on this moment as a gift from God--this was the "rock bottom" she needed to finally get help.

As Rachel engaged in the work needed to become and maintain sobriety, she discovered a greater joy than she could have ever imagined possible.

Rachel has been an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for five years.

My Son's Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol

Jean Heaton knew something was wrong with her son and asked God to show her what it was. Two days later she discovered her family needed help with substance abuse.

Jean talks about how drug and alcohol addiction is a family disease. Jean, her husband and their son all sought help. They "tackled it from every front they could."

What Jean learned was this meant surrendering her son and the circumstances they faced to God.

Jean shares numerous pearls of wisdom she has learned through the years it took for son to become sober.

Jean is the author of, "Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality."

Getting Help with My Spouse's Drinking with Anna Stephens, Member of Alanon

Featured guest Anna Stephens shares the difficult, yet honest moment when she faced she wasn't living an honest life and needed to get help due to her husband's drinking. Anna attended Al-Anon, a program that offers "help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics" and began a journey of healing and new life.

How My Kids in Addiction Brought Me to Our Lady with Carol Berry of Celebrating the Saints

As Carol Berry of Celebrating the Saints sat in the silence of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, she felt drawn to an image of a woman she affectionately named "My Girl."

Soon before being initiated into the Catholic Church, Carol learned "Her Girl" was Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Carol discovered a peace that could only be of God as she faced what seemed to be an insurmountable trial: two children suffering from addiction. Tragically, she lost her daughter to addiction last year and experienced God's profound mercy.

Carol created Restoring Women’s Outreach, a 12-step based residential sober living program for women who are in search of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Carol works at St. Bernard’s Abbey in Cullman, Alabama and loves being on “monk time.”

Mental Illness and Alcoholism with Erica Campbell of Be a Heart

Erica Campbell shares her struggle with mental illness and alcoholism.

Erica started drinking in college to cope with her feelings of depression and anxiety and "get out of herself." Alcohol felt like medicine.

Erica learned drinking did not solve her depression or anxiety, but increased it.

Erica attended Reconciliation one morning and it changed her life. The priest became her spiritual director and has had a profound impact on Erica's life.

Erica began attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is now nine years sober. She created her own company Be A Heart, which produces goods for a modern Christian lifestyle - ranging from planners and home goods to toys and textiles.

Facing My Struggle with Alcohol with Didi Egnatuk

Featured guest Didi Egnatuk shares her experience with alcohol and the moment she faced the reality that she needed to go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Didi explores the many gifts of her sobriety and how she maintains a sober lifestyle even when the desire to drink surfaces.