The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics Podcast

The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics Podcast In 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 #natalieevamarie Join 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/thehopeaholics Buy Merch:  https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com If 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 Abuse 00:08:12 – Her Father’s Violence and Emotional Trauma 00:09:13 – Praying for Her Homeless Brother 00:10:13 – Finding Escape in Alcohol at Thirteen 00:12:02 – High School Hangovers and the Party Girl Life 00:13:24 – Getting Into Speed and Toxic Relationships 00:16:41 – Realizing Perfectionism Is Self-Destruction 00:21:05 – Marriage, Motherhood, and the Illusion of Control 00:23:06 – The Drinking That Tore Her Family Apart 00:25:29 – The Affair and Losing Her Children 00:29:20 – Alone, Withdrawn, and Suicidal 00:31:11 – Her Husband’s Tears and the Doctor’s Warning 00:35:01 – Detoxing in the Hospital and Denial 00:37:10 – The Woman Who Inspired Her to Seek Recovery 00:39:01 – Relapse, Rock Bottom, and a Moment of Clarity 00:44:12 – Walking Into AA and Finally Understanding 00:45:15 – The Power of Surrender and Spiritual Healing 00:46:26 – Gratitude, Faith, and Finding Purpose in Recovery