Q&A (Questions for the Author)

I don’t believe addiction is a “chronic relapsing brain disease” as it has been designated by the NIAAA. Addiction is a symptom of a deeper problem and an attempt to escape reality or numb emotional pain. Defaulting to drugs, alcohol, or other addictive drives creates well-worn synaptic connections, and over time becomes a deeply ingrained habit. Addictive patterns are often triggered by stress, isolation, family dysfunction, trauma, and feelings of worthlessness. Addiction can be UNLEARNED by forging stronger synaptic pathways through better habits (attractive alternatives). There is a lot of financial interest involved with peddling the disease theory, and addiction treatment has been pathologized and medicalized to give people a sense of learned helplessness and deeply rooted belief that they can never get free. Unless the root of the problem is addressed (lack of identity in Christ), the person will continue to seek relief in counterfeit sources.

When the American Medical Association (AMA) designated addiction a disease in 1956, it paved the way for research projects and funding by big money organizations like the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). We are peddled a huge lie by Big Pharma and the multi-billon dollar treatment industry. That lie says addiction and mental health diagnoses are incurable diseases. Labeling addiction a disease fosters more disempowerment and gives people an excuse (“relapse is part of recovery”). The treatment industry has not delivered any measurable improvement in outcomes over the past 25 years, which begs the question about what is really going on in these high-end rehabs that urge people to spend big money on programs that fare no better outcome-wise than NO treatment at all? That’s right, the most widely supported statistic for post-treatment recovery rates indicates that about 20% will remain sober for the year following treatment. The same success stat applies to those who spontaneously decide to quit without treatment.

I believe people should pray and seek God first, seek wise people they trust, and come up with a comprehensive recovery plan. Treatment should not be a cookie-cutter approach and everyone’s strategy will look different. In general, I do not support the use of benzodiazepines or medication assisted programs such as methadone or suboxone. A short-term supervised suboxone taper may be helpful to alleviate cravings and withdraw in the acute phase of recovery, and antagonist medications that help reduce cravings for alcohol or opiates may be helpful, but the goal should be to eventually taper off. Many providers are providing long-term courses of opioid replacement medication to clients with no taper plan or hope of discontinuing the medication. Some of these drugs, like methadone, can have intense side effects, be almost as addictive and the drug they are replacing, and do not allow the individual to experience complete freedom. As far as other medication goes, an individual should seek medical advice and weigh the risks and benefits of taking any prescribed medication.

Every individual must have a personal revelation of Jesus. HE IS REAL! All the ‘book knowledge’ or theological proof will not be enough. I formally accepted the Lord when I was 9 at Vacation Bible School. I simply heard the gospel message and believed, and that is ALL it takes! (Read John 6:24). We are justified once and for all time, simply through believing, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Then begins our lifelong sanctification journey. Through fifteen years spent in blackout drinking, He continued offering opportunities to repent from trusting in other idols (alcohol) to trusting in Him. I went through many near death experiences that should have claimed my life, and continued chartering my rebellious path until 8/22/03. That was the day I repented of idol worship and surrendered to the Holy Spirit I’d been sealed with so many years earlier, the same Spirit who had never left me. And, on 6-20-13, I had a powerful experience with the Living God and experienced a fresh unleashing of that same Spirit. Through our sanctification, the Spirit’s work will enable greater levels of trust, surrender, and knowledge of His will.

8-22-03 was a life changing morning. It is the day I decided I wanted to be done drinking forever. The cry of my heart was very simple: “Please don’t let me drink again.” I was terrified of what would happen if I ever picked up a drink again. Even when my husband and I went through a devastating blow to our marriage in 2011, I did not consider drinking. God delivered me of all urges and cravings and brought radical freedom from the physical and mental bondage. I had been trying to quit for the past four years and had failed repeatedly; deep down I knew nothing in the world could bring lasting freedom. Once I sincerely repented of my idol worship and relinquished my will to the Lord, He did the impossible in my life.

I have been writing since I was 8 years old. My first piece was a short story called “Murder at Barkham’s Ball.” As a huge fan of Nancy Drew, I devoured the entire series and was a total bookworm who craved Judy Blume and Laura Ingalls Wilder paperbacks. My favorite day at school was the arrival of the Scholastic Book order! I could hardly wait for the school day to end so I could settle in with a novel. Losing myself in someone else’s story helped me cope with life in a dysfunctional family. Along with writing  stories and articles, I have been keeping  diaries and journals since third grade. Back in 2001 I began documenting my painful relapses and failure to quit drinking, and the long narratives eventually became the book “Blackout to Blessing.”

The Holy Bible – NKJV version

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Blubber by Judy Blume

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Stand by Steven King

1984 by George Orwell

Whiskey’s Children by Jack Erdmann

Leaving Las Vegas by John O’Brien

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Kureshi

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Just like Harriet the Spy, I always keep a journal and notebook nearby. I am always taking notes, jotting down ideas, book titles, possible stories and plots. The Holy Spirit often gives me ideas while I am out running or in the shower. Often I will get a line or a phrase that the Lord later illuminates. I was out on a run one day and saw a flattened beer can on the sidewalk, and it reminded me of how my dad used to share life wisdom while crushing beer cans. This experience became a story called “Lessons in Beer Can Crushing.”   “Writing to Resolution” helps, too – a term I borrowed from another author. Once I start writing, I keep at it until I get in the flow. I have a bit of trouble getting to the end – because I always want to improve, prune, add, subtract, and fine-tune the pieces I write.

I have a problem with waiting on God’s timing – and in my zeal to get published wrote a very amateurish version of my story back in 2006 and was able to find a small local outfit to publish it. The press went out of business soon after. Nine years passed, and I attempted to self-publish, but lacked the necessary support and grit needed for promotion. When that endeavor failed, I stepped back and continued working on my story, improving and refining it. In 2021, while out on a run, I had an inspired thought to write an article to set people straight about my boss called “The Real Mike Lindell.” Mike shared it on social media which led to be being approached by Steve Bannon to be a regular contributor on his War Room podcast. I have since written articles for his newsroom and Charisma magazine. My second book – a devotional called “Radical Freedom,” was released by BroadStreet Publishing in September of 2024. I am also one of 40 contributing authors for Kim Crabill’s upcoming book, “Always Remember: 365 Days of Wisdom for Life,” set for release on 9/2/25.

I start my day with prayer, the Bible, and seeking God for direction. Monday through Friday, I host an internet TV show called The Hope Report. God brings many people and divine appointments through it! I also work on the website for the Lindell Recovery Network, helping to make it a great free resource for people struggling with addiction. Besides that, I LOVE to sing and dance – and drive my household crazy with my constant vocal “performances.” I’m a member of Bethel’s Rock Church in Apple Valley, MN, and have a few internet pastors I’ve been following for a number of years. I love studying Christian apologetics and Bible prophecy. As a family, we enjoy camping, traveling, being outside, and fitness. My husband and I will celebrate 21 years of marriage in September and truly believe in discipling our girls to the Lord. I also enjoy reading, forcing myself to work out, being in the woods, and astronomy.