Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse with 1.5 million TikTok followers, recently opened up about her journey to sobriety, revealing she was a “high-functioning alcoholic” for years. In her TikTok videos, McFadden explained that she didn’t drink every day and maintained her job, never fitting the stereotypical image of an alcoholic. However, she realized that many people struggling with alcoholism often go unnoticed because they don’t fit society’s preconceived notions.
Julie shared that despite trying to quit alcohol several times by attending retreats, exercising, and seeking spiritual guidance, nothing seemed to work. It wasn’t until she went completely sober eight years ago that she began to understand the depth of her alcohol dependency. Surprisingly, quitting drinking made her life harder at first, as she struggled to adjust without alcohol as a crutch.
It wasn’t until joining a 12-step program that McFadden truly began to recover. She emphasized that alcoholism is not just about drinking but also about how the mind works, and she found relief through the support of the recovery program. Now, she feels truly “recovered,” although she still attends meetings regularly to stay on track.
McFadden’s candid insights have resonated with many of her followers, who appreciate her honesty about the challenges of sobriety. She continues to advocate for greater understanding of alcoholism, emphasizing that many people suffering from it may not even realize they need help.
