The Drinking Problem He Couldn’t See | Mike & Kristen’s Quit Drinking StoryThe Drinking Problem He Couldn’t See | Mike & Kristen’s Quit Drinking Story
Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories
Mike and Kristen share how "functional" drinking eroded their marriage, led Kristen to leave with their children, and pushed Mike into sobriety. They describe early recovery, rebuilding trust, and creating a new family life without alcohol.
1:35:35•30 Jul 2026
From Party Guy to Present Dad: Mike and Kristen’s Sobriety Rebuild
Episode Overview
- Daily, solo drinking and a shift from beer to whiskey gradually turned a "fun" party identity into a serious problem that Mike could not see.
- Kristen’s breaking point came when she realised she was tracking bottles, carrying the whole household, and staying silent out of shame.
- Leaving with their children forced a crisis that pushed Mike to accept, "I did this," seek medical help, attend AA and begin intensive addiction therapy.
- Their marriage only began to heal when Mike pursued sobriety for himself, and they effectively restarted their relationship with clear boundaries and non-negotiables around alcohol.
- Both highlight that you don’t need to hit a stereotypical rock bottom to question drinking, and that talking openly about alcohol can reduce shame and offer real hope.
“"I had come to peace with the fact that this stuff was going to kill me, and I was okay with it."”
What remarkable journeys have people faced head-on against addiction? This conversation follows Mike and Kristen as they share how a "functional" drinking habit slowly turned their family life upside down, and how they pieced it back together after everything fell apart.
The episode tracks Mike's story from teenage party guy in London, Ontario to husband, dad and tradesman who convinced himself, "I was high functioning, maybe even super high functioning." Beer after work turned into whiskey at night, then into secret solo sessions once the kids were in bed.
Kristen describes quietly taking photos of bottles to check how much was missing and wondering, "Maybe this isn't normal… maybe this isn't okay." You’ll hear both sides: Mike insisting "this is who I am" and calling Kristen's bluff when she said she’d leave, and Kristen battling guilt, fear and shame as she finally walked out with their two young daughters.
Mike remembers coming home to a silent house, sitting on the stairs and thinking, "This is all my fault" – and then grabbing a beer anyway. From there, the focus shifts to early sobriety: GP visits, AA meetings, intense addiction therapy, and the slow return of sleep, patience and genuine joy.
Kristen talks about choosing to stay out, even as Mike did "all the right things" at first mainly to win her back, and how their relationship only really healed when he began changing for himself. The episode is candid, sometimes funny, often emotional, and very practical for anyone wondering if they’re a "functional alcoholic" or loving someone who is. It also touches on life after alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, parenting, and the idea of rebuilding a marriage from scratch.
Could leaving – or being left – be the moment that actually changes everything?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.