Ep 60 Embracing Sobriety After Heartbreak with Rose Clark

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Rose Clark's Remarkable Journey: From Losing a Child to Finding Strength in Sobriety

Grief and addiction often form an interwoven narrative for many individuals. In Episode 60 of the “Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast,” hosts Ruby and Susan delve into a story that beautifully illustrations resilience and healing in the face of adversity. They welcome guest Rose Clark, who shares her poignant journey from mourning her daughter's tragic overdose to embracing sobriety and finding new purpose in life.

Rose Clark's Background: A Life of Change and Challenge

Growing up in nine different countries, Rose Clark has lived a life marked by constant change. This adaptability perhaps gave her the strength needed when life presented its most harrowing challenge. At the age of 40, Rose started a career in law enforcement, a difficult path often reserved for the young and the physically agile. Yet, she proved her mettle, passing rigorous physical tests to become a certified officer.

But Rose’s most arduous test wasn’t in the academy; it was when she lost her daughter, Catherine, to addiction. Catherine struggled with mental health issues and later with heroin and methamphetamines. Despite her unyielding support, Rose received the call no parent ever wants—the news of Catherine's passing.

The Spiral of Grief: Turning to Alcohol and Addiction

Rose's grief plunged her into a dark and lonely place. She turned to alcohol as her primary coping mechanism. Drinking had been a casual part of her life, like many social drinkers, but grief turned it into a necessity—a lifeline. Every night became a ritual of drinking until she passed out.

Adderall, prescribed for fake energy and joy, worsened her spiral, adding another layer of addiction. She supplemented this with vaping and smoking, creating an intense cycle of dependency. Despite being a high-functioning individual, her closest inner circle could see that she was imploding, unable to process her grief constructively.

The Turning Point: Choosing Health Over Numbing

The turning point came when Rose’s physical symptoms began to scare her. She had an epiphany—she couldn't justify her self-destructive behavior to her remaining children. This realization, coupled with a heartfelt plea to her departed daughter, Catherine, motivated her to change.

She embarked on a health journey, initially trying plant-based diets. Although initially not considering sobriety, the inconsistency between attempting to get healthy while still drinking became glaringly obvious. One night, she declared to her wife she was done drinking, immediately bursting into tears from the sheer enormity of the decision. Three days later, she quit smoking too.

The Path to Healing: Meditation and Connection

Rose turned to work on her inner self, creating a sacred space for meditation and connection with Catherine. She started writing down her journey, day by day, which brought meaningful structure to her life. This method allowed her to process her emotions, regrets, and pain constructively.

Self-compassion and forgiveness became her “secret sauce,” releasing her into a place of acceptance and finding purpose even in Catherine’s absence. The concept of "Collateral Beauty" became central to her healing, giving birth to a grief support group by the same name.

Collateral Beauty: Finding Community in Grief

Understanding the isolating nature of grief, Rose founded Collateral Beauty, a local grief support group accepting of all, irrespective of their stage of grief or religious beliefs. She aimed to create a space where people could share their stories freely and receive the hope she had found.

The support from online communities and sobriety groups further helped Rose in her journey. While she didn’t engage in formal programs initially, these spaces offered solidarity and strength, reaffirming her commitment to stay sober and hopeful.

Law Enforcement with Empathy: A Unique Perspective

Taking her experiences into her career, Rose incorporated her understanding of addiction and homelessness into her law enforcement role. She carried Catherine’s picture in her patrol car, spoke to arrestees about addiction, and even handed out homeless care packs, making a profound impact on many lives.

Conclusion: The Unfolding Story of Resilience

Running at 50, a full-fledged book of her life story, and continuing to explore ways to expand her grief support group, Rose lives each day embodying the lessons she learned through loss and recovery. Her story is a testament to the possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times, a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with grief and addiction.

Rose Clark’s story reminds us that while grief can be immobilizing, the journey through it, especially with the empowering choice of sobriety, can lead to unparalleled personal growth. It's about being ready, making the right choices, and never giving up hope. With sobriety, the future indeed looks lit.

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Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

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