Written by Carrie Hoffman
My name is Carrie Hoffman, and I’m proud to be a woman in long-term recovery. I grew up in the Midwest, USA, in a very Christian, conservative family, but I always felt pulled toward exploration, creativity, and a bigger life. In school, I was shy and introverted, yet I loved performing—especially theater, music, and choir, which lit me up inside.
From College Life to Addiction
When I went to college in New York, I fell in love with alcohol. It seemed like the magic key that made me feel less introverted, more confident, and more social. My drinking and recreational drug use progressed slowly throughout my 20s. On the outside, I was a high achiever—a Peace Corps Volunteer, a world traveler, a wife, and a business owner. On the inside, I was numbing childhood trauma with no real coping tools.
When the Party Stopped Working
Over time, alcohol stopped being fun. I faced negative consequences like DUIs, losing valuables, fights with my partner, severe hangovers, and crippling anxiety. To cope, I drank even more. The spiral ended one blackout night when I was 29. I had tried moderation before, but this time I knew I needed to quit completely. I walked into my first AA meeting soon after that and have been alcohol-free ever since, for over nine years. My sobriety has evolved beyond AA, and now I incorporate the tools of yoga, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and occasionally plant medicine. I feel more FREE as a non-drinker than I ever did when I was hitting the bars every night!
A Life Beyond My Biggest Dreams
Sobriety has been the hardest—and most rewarding—thing I’ve ever done. Today, I have real friends, self-love, healthier relationships, and a clearer sense of who I am and what I believe. One year into sobriety, I moved to Asia to pursue my dream of being a digital nomad entrepreneur. Far from running away, I was running back to my true self.
Creating Bigger Life Adventures
Recovery inspired me to heal deeply and chase new passions. I had loved yoga since my 20s, but never thought I could be a teacher. Seven years ago, I completed my first yoga teacher training and launched Bigger Life Adventures—offering trauma-informed yoga and adventure retreats worldwide for people in recovery. Each retreat includes a recovery scholarship to make it more accessible. The name came from something my sponsor told me early in sobriety: “Your life can be bigger than your biggest dreams.” She was right.
Living Fully—On My Own Terms
Thanks to sobriety, I’ve found purpose, my authentic voice, and my people. I embrace adventure—trail running, climbing mountains, swimming, and exploring new countries. My greatest joy is sharing these experiences with others in recovery.
If you’re ready to explore a life beyond your biggest dreams, join Carrie at BiggerLifeAdventures.com for upcoming retreats and trainings.
Are you interested in sharing YOUR sobriety story with me and my readers? You can do this anonymously or with your name and/or bio. If you’d like to know more, leave me a message HERE and I will tell you all about it. Izzy
