Ashley Loeb Blassingame
ckimmich@lionrockrecovery.com (Annie McDonnell, Scott Drochelman, Ashley Loeb Blassingame)
184: Annie McDonnell: Hiding Her Alcoholism In The Wine Industry
184: Annie McDonnell: Hiding Her Alcoholism In The Wine Industry
184: Annie McDonnell: Hiding Her Alcoholism In The Wine Industry
Tuesday 16th May 2023
Annie McDonnell reveals her journey from alcoholism in the wine industry to celebrating 3,000 days of sobriety on The Courage to Change Podcast.
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60 minutes
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Author:
Ashley Loeb Blassingame
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Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Get the buttons here!Annie McDonnell: From Wine Industry Success to Sober Advocate
Episode Overview
- Annie's childhood in a suburb of Melbourne and the impact of family dynamics on her life
- Her career in the wine industry and how it masked her addiction
- Struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and the decision to give up alcohol
- Transition to a career in the tech industry and the creation of Powerfully Sober
- The power of sharing her story and inspiring others on their journey to healing and sobriety
I was the eldest of five. And mum and dad, you know, centre of our existence, really. It was a hideous thing for me to comprehend at that age. From that point on, I started to develop a bit of a hypervigilant kind of anxiety around being aware, watching, trying to monitor situations, trying to, I guess, offset any tension that I could.
Annie McDonnell's life reads like a gripping novel, filled with twists and turns that led her from a happy childhood in Melbourne to the depths of addiction and back to the light of sobriety. At just seven years old, Annie sensed the fractures in her seemingly perfect family. The revelation that her mother was pregnant with another man's child shattered their world, leading to her mother's exile and leaving Annie with a deep emotional scar.
Fast forward to her mid-twenties, Annie found herself thriving in the wine industry—a seemingly perfect cover for her growing dependence on alcohol. Her career success masked an all-consuming addiction that left her battling severe panic attacks and anxiety. At her lowest, even holding a teacup became an insurmountable challenge. But Annie's story doesn't end in despair. She recently celebrated 3,000 days of sobriety and has channeled her journey into helping others through her organization, Powerfully Sober.
Her transformation is not just about quitting alcohol; it's about reclaiming life and offering a lifeline to those still struggling. Tune in to hear Annie's compelling story of resilience, the dark shadows of addiction, and the bright light of recovery.