Episode 38: Recovering from Addiction After Childhood Abuse, Undiagnosed Bipolar and Postpartum Depression
Childhood sexual abuse, undiagnosed bipolar disorder, a teenage pregnancy, postpartum depression, a turbulent home life and losing a number of loved ones were all challenges Ami Hall faced in her early life. Alcohol and drugs offered her an escape from all of these things as Ami didn’t have the coping skills or a support network to help her out.
She speaks openly and honestly with Ray about her journey, sharing things that have helped her and offering hope that there is another way to process difficult situations and emotions.
Tools That Helped Ami Get Sober And Stay Sober
Therapy and getting a bipolar diagnosis
Tarot cards for awareness
Kick boxing to help her process her anger
Learning to sit with her feelings
Journaling
Being honest with herself
Being honest with others about not feeling ok
Hula hoop dancing
Forming a sobriety community
Social media groups and communities
Early Life
Ami opens up about some of the struggles she faced in her early life. She reveals that her curiosity with drugs began in her teens, after she experienced sexual assault at the age of 10 and needed something to help her cope. Ami explains that she kept the assault to herself as she didn’t feel like she had anyone to talk to about it.
She began drinking heavily and using Xanax to cope with her postpartum depression after giving birth at 19. Ami describes how alcohol provided her with a sense of freedom and helped her disconnect from her painful experiences and anxiety. She also mentions that working in the restaurant industry, where alcohol was prevalent, normalized her drinking habits.
Turning Point
The turning point in Ami's journey came when she experienced a mental breakdown in 2016 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She spent time in a mental hospital and realized that she needed to make a change in her life. However, it took several attempts before Ami fully committed to sobriety. She finally decided to stop drinking in May 2021 after leaving a toxic relationship.
Therapy and Other Tools For Sobriety
Ami emphasizes the importance of therapy and self-reflection in her recovery. She started journaling and being honest with herself about her emotions and past traumas. Ami also found support in her hula hoop dancing community, where she connected with others who were on their own sobriety journeys. She started teaching hoop classes and workshops, using her platform to share her story and inspire others in their recovery journeys.
Advice for Anyone Struggling
Ami encourages anyone struggling with addiction to reach out for support, whether it's from friends, online communities, or therapy. She emphasizes the importance of being honest with oneself and finding healthy coping mechanisms. Ami's story serves as a reminder that recovery is possible and that there is a community of people ready to offer support and understanding.
Connect with Ami
Ami's website: Amielevated.com
Ami's Instagram: @elevated_anh
Ami's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahallphotographyx/
Elevated Arts and Healing podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/544tE14OpJNrk2wj7qt6qO?si=a68a39eb94b544ba
Connect with the show
Website: https://www.stackndays.com/
Apply to be a guest: https://www.stackndays.com/rsvp-1
Instagram and Tiktok: @stackndays
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-IqvFJ2SlufC6KuyiztjQ
Resources
https://www.samhsa.gov/
https://www.joinreframeapp.com/
https://www.theluckiestclub.com/
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