David Lewry
David Lewry
#33 Carissa
#33 Carissa
#33 Carissa
Wednesday 24th April 2019
Carissa shares her battle with addiction, depression, and kidney disease on Voices in Recovery. Discover her inspiring journey of hope and resilience.
69 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
About this podcast
Author:
David Lewry
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Creative Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
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Episodes:
295 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Carissa's Battle: Sobriety, Depression, and Kidney Disease
"I found people and I found somewhere that I felt like I belonged finally" - Carissa
Carissa's life story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of support. Growing up in a single-parent household, she moved frequently between Vancouver, Vancouver Island, England, Edmonton, and Calgary. These constant relocations left her feeling isolated and struggling with jealousy and depression. By the age of 15, she was diagnosed with clinical depression, a condition that would shadow her into adulthood. To cope with her overwhelming feelings, Carissa turned to alcohol.
Her drinking quickly spiraled out of control, leading to broken promises and hitting rock bottom. However, with the help of a friend named Steven, she found the strength to get sober. Now, with over two years of sobriety under her belt, Carissa shares her journey on this episode of the Voices in Recovery podcast. But Carissa's challenges didn't end with addiction. She has also been living with kidney disease, enduring frequent hospital visits, blood transfusions, and debilitating nosebleeds.
Despite being on the transplant list for several years, her family members were unable to donate a kidney. Undeterred, Carissa started a Facebook page titled 'My Kidney is Dying. Can I Please Have Yours?' to raise awareness about kidney donation. Throughout her struggles, Carissa emphasizes the crucial role of supportive relationships. She credits her friend Steven for helping her maintain sobriety and highlights the importance of reaching out to loved ones when dealing with depression.
Carissa also speaks about finding a sense of purpose and pursuing dreams despite facing significant adversity. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and perseverance can lead to triumph. Carissa's journey offers inspiration and practical insights for anyone facing similar challenges, showing that with support and determination, it's possible to overcome even the most daunting obstacles.