“I Was Ready to Die Before I Quit Drinking” | Elizabeth’s Recovery Story episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 13, 2026 · 48 MIN

“I Was Ready to Die Before I Quit Drinking” | Elizabeth’s Recovery Story

from Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero · host Louis Ruggiero

Elizabeth never drank in the morning. She never drank at work. And for years, she convinced herself she didn’t have a problem. Until the truth became impossible to ignore. “I was ready to take my own life because quitting drinking felt worse.” In this raw and deeply honest episode of Nothing’s Off the Table, Elizabeth opens up about her eight-year battle with alcohol addiction—how perfectionism, anxiety, and untreated OCD fueled her drinking, and how she quietly unraveled while appearing “high-functioning” on the outside. Elizabeth shares: How alcohol instantly became her solution in college The exhaustion, emptiness, and isolation at the end of her drinking Why being “dry” without recovery was worse than drinking Walking into her first AA meeting and realizing she wasn’t alone Her struggles with God, control, and surrender Rebuilding relationships, identity, and purpose in sobriety Why fear kept her sick—and courage saved her life This episode is for: Anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol Anyone afraid to ask for help Anyone who feels “too far gone” to recover Anyone who needs proof that recovery is possible Elizabeth’s story is living proof that addiction doesn’t discriminate—and neither does healing. If you’re struggling, you are not weak. You are not broken. And you are not alone. 🔔 Real stories. Raw comebacks. Nothing’s off the table. I sit down with people who’ve faced it all: addiction, loss, redemption and came out stronger. These are unfiltered conversations about resilience, recovery, and finding purpose again. If you’re ready to take the first step in your recovery, reach out to Banyan Treatment Centers — the team I personally believe in. They’ve helped thousands of people rebuild their lives. 👉 Call: [(855) 773-1502] 🌐 Visit: https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/?utm_source=louis_podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=banyan_partnership&utm_content=episode_read 🎙️ Hosted by Louis Ruggiero 📱 Instagram: @nothingsoffpod 📹 TikTok: @nothingsoffpod 🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/nothingsoffthetable Today’s Guest 🎙️ Connect with our guest: 👉 Instagram: [@eatlizabeth] 👉 TikTok: [@eatlizabeth] About the Show Hosted by Louis Ruggiero, a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and advocate for recovery, Nothing’s Off The Table is where real people share their real stories. From battling addiction to overcoming life’s toughest challenges, Louis and his guests uncover the moments that spark change and fuel unstoppable comebacks. Expect raw honesty, deep insights, and stories that hit home. Meet Louis Louis Ruggiero turned his life around after years of struggling with addiction, gambling, and substance abuse. Now, he’s on a mission to amplify voices — from celebrities to everyday survivors — sharing their journeys of grit, growth, and healing. #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #NothingsofftheTable #LouisRuggiero #RecoverOutLoud #ComebackStories #BanyanTreatmentCenters #BanyanxLouis #BanyanRecovery #BanyanPodcastPartner #RecoveryIsPossible #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity --- Disclaimer: The stories and views shared on Nothing’s Off The Table are personal experiences and not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance on personal matters. Copyright: © Nothing’s Off The Table with Louis Ruggiero. All rights reserved. Feel free to share or embed episodes with proper credit and a link to our official pages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth never drank in the morning. She never drank at work. And for years, she convinced herself she didn’t have a problem. Until the truth became impossible to ignore. “I was ready to take my own life because quitting drinking felt worse.” In this raw and deeply honest episode of Nothing’s Off the Table, Elizabeth opens up about her eight-year battle with alcohol addiction—how perfectionism, anxiety, and untreated OCD fueled her drinking, and how she quietly unraveled while appearing “high-functioning” on the outside. Elizabeth shares: How alcohol instantly became her solution in college The exhaustion, emptiness, and isolation at the end of her drinking Why being “dry” without recovery was worse than drinking Walking into her first AA meeting and realizing she wasn’t alone Her struggles with God, control, and surrender Rebuilding relationships, identity, and purpose in sobriety Why fear kept her sick—and courage saved her life This episode is for: Anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol Anyone afraid to ask for help Anyone who feels “too far gone” to recover Anyone who needs proof that recovery is possible Elizabeth’s story is living proof that addiction doesn’t discriminate—and neither does healing. If you’re struggling, you are not weak. You are not broken. And you are not alone. 🔔 Real stories. Raw comebacks. Nothing’s off the table. I sit down with people who’ve faced it all: addiction, loss, redemption and came out stronger. These are unfiltered conversations about resilience, recovery, and finding purpose again. If you’re ready to take the first step in your recovery, reach out to Banyan Treatment Centers — the team I personally believe in. They’ve helped thousands of people rebuild their lives. 👉 Call: [(855) 773-1502] 🌐 Visit: https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/?utm_source=louis_podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=banyan_partnership&utm_content=episode_read 🎙️ Hosted by Louis Ruggiero 📱 Instagram: @nothingsoffpod 📹 TikTok: @nothingsoffpod 🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/nothingsoffthetable Today’s Guest 🎙️ Connect with our guest: 👉 Instagram: [@eatlizabeth] 👉 TikTok: [@eatlizabeth] About the Show Hosted by Louis Ruggiero, a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and advocate for recovery, Nothing’s Off The Table is where real people share their real stories. From battling addiction to overcoming life’s toughest challenges, Louis and his guests uncover the moments that spark change and fuel unstoppable comebacks. Expect raw honesty, deep insights, and stories that hit home. Meet Louis Louis Ruggiero turned his life around after years of struggling with addiction, gambling, and substance abuse. Now, he’s on a mission to amplify voices — from celebrities to everyday survivors — sharing their journeys of grit, growth, and healing. #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #NothingsofftheTable #LouisRuggiero #RecoverOutLoud #ComebackStories #BanyanTreatmentCenters #BanyanxLouis #BanyanRecovery #BanyanPodcastPartner #RecoveryIsPossible #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity --- Disclaimer: The stories and views shared on Nothing’s Off The Table are personal experiences and not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance on personal matters. Copyright: © Nothing’s Off The Table with Louis Ruggiero. All rights reserved. Feel free to share or embed episodes with proper credit and a link to our official pages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

“I Was Ready to Die Before I Quit Drinking” | Elizabeth’s Recovery Story

0:00 48:08

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero?

This episode is 48 minutes long.

When was this Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero episode published?

This episode was published on January 13, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Elizabeth never drank in the morning. She never drank at work. And for years, she convinced herself she didn’t have a problem. Until the truth became impossible to ignore. “I was ready to take my own life because quitting drinking felt worse.” In...

Can I download this Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!