Ericka’s story will resonate with anyone who has ever juggled motherhood, work, faith, and the expectation to “hold it all together.” She talks about the quiet cycle of making promises to herself she couldn’t keep. The fear of telling anyone in her church community what was really happening. And the way alcohol noise often drowned out the very voice she wanted to hear most.

She also names something so many feel but rarely articulate: that subtle invisibility of women who struggle at home, in the quiet, without anyone noticing until the burden becomes unbearable.

A few threads we explore in this episode:

• What it means to recover out loud as a Christian woman

• The rising yet hidden crisis of alcohol use among women

• The cultural narrative that mothers “need” wine

• The gentler first steps toward change that don’t rely on self punishment

• How faith, curiosity, and small shifts helped her turn toward freedom

Ericka offers a simple encouragement for the woman listening who feels stuck: start by increasing what is good. More connection. More Scripture. More honest conversations. More space for God’s voice to rise above the static. No ultimatums. No perfect timeline.

If you’ve ever wondered whether life might feel lighter without the nightly glass that keeps getting heavier, this episode will meet you with compassion and clarity.

You can find more of Ericka’s work at erickaandersen.com and freelysober.com.

Let’s keep pulling up more chairs.

💬 Have a story to share or know someone doing meaningful work in addiction recovery or mental health? Reply or reach out. This community grows because of you. Email hello@carolinebeidler.com

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Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide to Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.