What to do when you want to give up on lifeWhat to do when you want to give up on life
The Call with Nancy Sabato
Former officer Adam Davis shares his journey from childhood abuse, alcoholism and a near-suicide to finding peace, restored family life and a new purpose through faith in Jesus. The conversation highlights the power of honest sharing, gratitude-focused prayer and shifting attention from shame and circumstances to Christ.
13:38•15 Jun 2026
From the Edge of Suicide to a Life Rebuilt: Adam Davis on Shame, Faith and Letting Go of the Bottle
Episode Overview
- Shame loses power when you bring the darkest parts of your story into safe, non-judgemental conversations with trusted people.
- You cannot change what happened in the past, but you can change how you respond to it today.
- Isolation and silence make pain worse; honest talking, like good crisis negotiation, is a sign of progress.
- Shifting prayer from requests to gratitude—thanking God as if needs are already met—can change how you see your circumstances.
- Focusing less on painful circumstances and more on Jesus’ presence can help you endure hardship with renewed strength.
“I was drinking to feel the right things and drinking the wrong things, and that plan does not work.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation on *The Call with Nancy Sabato* follows Adam Davis, a former law enforcement officer, alcoholic and addict, as he talks openly about trauma, shame, and the moment he nearly ended his life. Adam traces his story back to childhood sexual abuse, broken trust in church settings, and a damaged view of love, sex and identity.
He shares how these early wounds eventually fed into a pattern of isolation, emotional shutdown, and running from conflict—even after marrying his high-school friend and starting a family. Life in law enforcement added a new layer of strain. A particularly harrowing hostage case involving a five-year-old boy left Adam with nightmares, overwhelming stress, and a bottle-of-whiskey-a-night habit.
He explains that he was "drinking to feel the right things and drinking the wrong things," a strategy he calls "completely ineffective." The drinking escalated until he was separated from his wife and kids and living in a storage building. At rock bottom, sitting in his patrol car with his sidearm to his head, Adam cried out to God, offering what was left of his life.
He describes a sudden, overwhelming sense of peace and love that stopped him in that moment and gave him a new desire to live. From there came reconciliation with his wife, a restored marriage, and a writing and speaking life he never planned. You’ll hear Adam talk about shame losing its grip when you bring your darkest parts into safe, honest conversations, whether with a trusted friend, spouse or fellow Christian.
He also shares simple spiritual habits anyone can try today: shifting prayer from “God, I need” to “Thank you that you’ve already provided,” and turning your focus from your circumstances to Jesus. If you’re feeling crushed, alone, or stuck in addiction, this story might be the nudge that reminds you your story might not be finished yet.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.