About this episode
The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this raw and deeply emotional episode, Kristine Koontz shares her courageous journey through chaos, addiction, loss, and redemption with an honesty that grips you from the start. Growing up amid abuse, instability, and emotional neglect, Kristine found her first escape in alcohol at just thirteen years old — a drink that made her feel “normal” for the first time. What began as weekend partying spiraled into decades of dependency, self-destruction, and denial, even as she built a life as a wife, mother of three, and businesswoman. She opens up about the toll of her drinking: the crumbling of her marriage, the affair that shattered her family, and the painful moment her children turned away in shame. As her addiction deepened, Kristine describes hitting rock bottom — alone in her condo, shaking, suicidal, and drinking herself toward death until her ex-husband found her and rushed her to the hospital. Through multiple relapses and painful realizations, she finally surrendered, walking into an AA meeting that changed everything. Her transformation is one of faith, humility, and rebirth — a testament to the 9% of addicts who make it out alive. Today, Kristine speaks with radiant gratitude and strength, using her story to help others break free from the shame, secrecy, and isolation of addiction. Her message is clear and powerful: you can come back from anything if you let God, grace, and truth lead the way.#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarieJoin our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:07:15 – Growing Up in Chaos and Abuse00:08:12 – Her Father’s Violence and Emotional Trauma00:09:13 – Praying for Her Homeless Brother00:10:13 – Finding Escape in Alcohol at Thirteen00:12:02 – High School Hangovers and the Party Girl Life00:13:24 – Getting Into Speed and Toxic Relationships00:16:41 – Realizing Perfectionism Is Self-Destruction00:21:05 – Marriage, Motherhood, and the Illusion of Control00:23
