The Dry Side - Nicole

Nicole’s Rock Bottom: Air Force Retirement, Isolation, and Finding Recovery Through Rehab, AA & The Dry SideIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Nicole—recently retired after 21 years in the Air Force and living in Texas—shares how alcohol gradually became a problem after years of high functioning and social drinking. She describes an introverted childhood in a military family, early drinking at 14, and a slow progression that escalated with unstructured time, isolation, and later COVID lockdowns in Belgium, where her drinking became round-the-clock with withdrawals and daily blackouts. Back in the U.S., her husband began noticing changes as she consumed up to a fifth and a half of whiskey a day. After months of daily blackout drinking, she sought detox on Nov. 13, 2025, completed five days of detox and a 60-day rehab, used therapy modalities including EMDR, joined AA, rebuilt family trust, and started The Dry Side podcast to share recovery insights and community.00:00 When Drinking Turned Dark01:01 Rehab Wins Back Trust01:23 Show Intro and Sponsor02:27 Meet Nicole and Sober Date03:55 Childhood in a Military Family06:04 Introversion and Self-Doubt09:06 Sports, High School, First Drink10:45 College ROTC and Early Drinking13:18 Air Force Culture and First Blackout16:41 Hiding It and Keeping Up Appearances20:16 2018 Shift to Drinking Alone22:41 Belgium Lockdown and All-Day Drinking24:33 Withdrawals and the Daily Cycle26:49 Fitness Decline and Family Suspicions30:44 How Much Was I Drinking31:26 Reconnecting with Future Husband33:30 Back in the States It Shows33:56 Husband Sees the Signs34:58 Last Day Drinking Decision36:01 Detox to Sixty Day Rehab37:08 Clear Mind No Cravings38:29 Finding the Root Trauma40:48 Relational Wounds Unpacked43:27 Shot Out of Rehab44:41 Rebuilding Life at Home49:04 Starting The Dry Side51:09 Community Keeps Me Sober54:45 Daily Routine and AA59:47 Whats Next Service Goals01:02:59 Advice One Day at Time01:05:53 Nine Months and Farewell