From Suicidal to 27 Years Sober: The Brutal Truth About What Really Works in Recovery

In this episode of the Confident Sober Women Podcast, host Shelby sits down with Emily Sayre Smith, author of "Smartass Memoir of a Mouthy Girl," for an honest conversation about hitting rock bottom and finding redemption through sobriety.

The Breaking Point That Changed Everything

Emily shares the moment that saved her life, sitting on her bedroom floor in West Hollywood at 42, with a gun in her mouth. What happened next was a spiritual awakening that would transform her entire existence: "If I don't kill myself, anything is possible." This realization led her to her first AA meeting.

Why Traditional Recovery Works (Even When You Fight It)

From classical ballerina to gym owner to construction manager to published author, Emily's career path has been anything but linear. But it's her 27-year sobriety journey that reveals the real transformation. She discusses:

• Fighting the concept of powerlessness as a "Type A, go-getter"
• Finding God in rooms full of other recovering addicts
• The slow burn of emotional growth and why "peeling the onion" takes decades
• Surviving major life upheavals sober, including divorce after 22 years

The Truth About Long-Term Sobriety

This isn't your typical "pink cloud" recovery story. Emily and Shelby dive deep into the reality that recovery work never truly ends. Even with decades of sobriety, life can still knock you down - but the tools you develop make all the difference.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why hitting your personal "bottom" is often necessary for lasting change
• How community and connection become lifelines in recovery
• The importance of continuing to tell your truth
• Why self-love isn't just a buzzword, it's the foundation of healthy relationships

Emily's recent divorce led to another suicidal crisis, but this time she chose treatment over alcohol. Her journey to self-discovery at 65 offers hope for anyone struggling with codependency and the need for external validation.

Resources Mentioned

• Emily's book: "Smartass Memoir of a Mouthy Girl" (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
• Connect with Emily on Facebook: Emily Sayre-Smith
• AA meetings and 12-step programs
• The importance of therapy alongside recovery programs

Struggling with racing thoughts, anxiety, or feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns? Neurofeedback therapy can help rewire your brain for emotional regulation and mental clarity. Visit my website to learn more.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.