@Cullen, I always say my husband drinks and I get drunk! (I don’t drink). But being around other people drinking can be very cathartic. I have way more fun than the drinkers and without the hangover!!! Sending good vibes to you and @Katie for continuing on your healthy path and that it becomes easier and easier as time passes 🥰
Y’all’s ability to recognize your own faults and make changes is absolutely amazing to me. From your debt, moving to find your happiness, and now alcohol. The way y’all grow together and love each other is beautiful. Thank you for being such inspirations. You are chancing your family tree! Your children will reap the rewards
I'm so proud of you guys for quitting while your babies are still young. So many kids grow up with alcoholic parents and it's amazing that you guys realized how it could be affecting your kids before it got too out of control! I love y'all!!!
Yes DO NOT apologize! Tears are SO healing and purges all the crap out of your body!!! I have never drunk in my life and this has really helped me with healing from hurt. It really helped what Katie said about healing comes out in your eyes so you know you are still healing when you are emotional. I'm working through a relationship with my daughter and I am SO emotional and there are so many triggers that set me off because I love her and miss her so much!! We'll get there, but it's really hard right now while we are healing. 😢
Mad respect for y’all. Watched y’all before you were pregnant with Gaines. Then life got busy not long after Brooks was born so I’d hop on at random and watch a video here and there. Just happened to see this, y’all have overcome so much and have grown from it! So Proud of y’all!
As an addiction counselor I love seeing you guys be so transparent and honest and processing your addiction. Relapse prevention and maintenance is forever and your leaning how to interrupt your triggers. Cullen explaining how the comes in his mind for a second is a natural part of recovery. One visualization technique I LOVE is light switch technique, it helps me so much! In a nutshell, you visualize an imaginary light switch in your mind and you want the light switch to be off all the time because when it’s off, that means you’re not thinking about drinking, drinking, or wanting to drink and ,trigger’s, which is anything, anyone, place, feeling, or experience in the world that makes us think about your addiction even if it is for a second and by using this technique when you are triggered, even if it is just for a few seconds, you shut your eyes and you visualize yourself turning off The light switch that is turned on from a trigger without your permission… I know that’s kind of a complicated explanation but anyone who is actually curious, just look up the light switch technique. Cullen and Katiei love you guys and have watched CK Vlogs since before pregnant with Gaines! ❤️❤️
I am 39 years old, and my Father has been addicted to alcohol my entire life. We tried interventions, we yelled, we threatened, we begged, we cried, and we had lost all hope. Up until 2020, when he got into a car accident (he’s okay- thank the Lord) and he has not touched alcohol since. He said that even though the accident was not his fault, he was drinking while driving, and he said that he had the biggest wake up call that alcohol was not worth it. And for the first time in my life, I had my Dad back. I mean, I’m a grown adult, married, with a kid of my own, but there was never a time where I didn’t ever need my Dad. He is now 3 years sober, and is living his best life. It is a DAILY, hourly struggle, but its so worth the reward ! Keep your head up, don’t be afraid to show these emotions, don’t be afraid to talk about it. It’s all a part of the healing process. Celebrate the small things. You’re doing such a great job, and you CAN and will continue to overcome this!
gah, that's sooo reminiscent of a piece of my story in a way too...there's a lot we got to talk about, lol. Huge props to him for "walking up" and congrats on getting a piece of your family back!
@@CullenandKatie Thank you so much. Praying for strength, acceptance, and understanding as you continue to go through this journey. I promise it’ll be worth it in the end. Keep going, you’re doing a GREAT job!
I lost my mom to alcoholism & it runs heavily on both sides of my family. The way she died I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. My childhood was really tough with my mom & I hate to hear of any kiddos coping with that too. I’m so freaking proud of y’all for recognizing the issues & breaking the addiction cycle before it did too much irreparable damage to your kids. I know that it’s not easy to get sober but it’s the best thing you could do for both yourself as well as your family. Now your story is going to help & inspire others which is truly such a beautiful thing!
Cullen, I remember when you released the podcast with your sister discussing a previous addiction. I am so proud of you for realizing what the new problem was handling it and doing what is best for you, your relationship and your family. Your kids have amazing role models and you guys are truly an inspiration. 💜
So proud of you, my dad was an alcoholic and I have terrible childhood memories of him being drunk. your kiddos see and know more than you understand! Keep up the good fight! Your doing amazing!
Cullen you are such an inspiration. You and Katie have inspired me to stop drinking as well. I am a domestic abuse survivor and I know I have used alcohol to numb the pain from the abuse. It's because of you guys that I have pledged to stop drinking and deal with my trauma in a healthy way.
@@CullenandKatie well first was recognizing that alcohol wasn’t helping me, but masking the pain. I know that I have to deal with all this pain head on and with a clear mind.
Cullen there use to be a saying “ it takes a bigger man to cry than be non feeling “. And it just shows us that your human ok and I’m so proud of you & Katie for sharing this part of your lives I applaud the both of you for being able to share this your I love you two very much I been with you two before Gaines was born and I’m STILL with you two I love ❤️ you two so much hang in there ok 👍🏻 I’m praying for you both ❤
Love the honesty and really, we've been talking about getting sober and just haven't made the plunge yet. Thanks for the encouragement and vulnerability!!
Cullen your so awesome to talk about drinking. It’s hard thing to do. I grew up around alcoholism and it was horrible terrible. I love both you Katie and the kids. You have no idea how proud of you I am… you go dude….🙏🥰
Almost 3 years sober. The last 3 years have been some of the best of my life. New career, finally on my feet and getting ready to move my kids and I out on our own for the FIRST time, new life ❤
Don’t be sorry for crying. You should be so proud of yourself. You are such an inspiration to others who are either recovering from alcoholism or living with someone who is recovering. Thank you for being so vulnerable and being willing to help someone else. Keep up the amazing journey you are on ❤️
thank you!! I am SUPER proud of myself!....most of the time. 😕...that's something else I need to work on and something else we need to talk about more in a future video! self sabotage is real!
I love how open you were, honestly you had amazing courage talking about your relationship with alcohol on a live but to repost it here just shows an crazy amount of courage, growth and healing honestly, Katie is right when you have not healed you pour it out of your eyes the eyes are the gate way to the soul. But I just want to give you your flowers for letting everyone in to be able to keep healing but to also encourage others to start their journey as well, Been watching since Gaines was a baby, and DBEJCK vacay started, Rooting for you guys!! Keep pushing forward!!
I'm so proud of you both. I watched my mom fall apart from alcohol and it tore me apart. Thank God she has been sober 20years. Don't feel bad for the tears. You both are rocks. Love you both and your family.
I'm not sure if you guys are getting counseling or if you are going to AA meetings or not. What I do know is that what you did here was extremely healthy for your healing. If doing more of this helps yourselves and others then I say continue doing it. I for one (I've been watching since before Gains was born) and I unsubscribed shortly after the Mermaid/Pool on the deck video. I saw a train wreck in the makings and what the heck does one do? I'm 67 years old and have kids and grandkids. What a sad thing to watch. Saying something to you about it would have allowed a full on barrage of people to come after me for telling the truth. I would check in on you all from time to time and ALWAYS had your family in my prayers! Keep being true to yourself and you children. You are ALL precious and deserve a good and happy life. I do have a request. Can you turn your phone horizontal? Vertical makes me nauseous. I didn't watch this one, I just listened and I'm glad that I did. Much love and respect to you both. You are officially growing up.
Thank you for being brave and sharing your story! I can relate to both of your stories. I've been sober for 18 months and it's the longest stretch of sobriety I've had for 12 years. ❤
So much love to you both! I’m almost 15 years sober but it’s still one day at a time. When you start to romanticize a drink-just play that tape through. There is nothing so bad that a drink will make better!
Very proud of you two for having the strength to face this and overcome it! I think it is so important to share our struggles and journeys in this life. I find it therapeutic and it can really encourage others who may be battling the same issue. Keep being YOU!
My husband was raised with his mom and dad both being alcoholics and the day I told him I was pregnant was the last day he had a drink !! He will be sober for 10 years in October!!
Thanks for being so open. I was a long time follower and a while before you started debt journey and moving I stopped watching as often because it didn’t feel like the same people. This version of yourselves is the best yet! Can’t wait to get back into your journey ❤
I’ve been watching y’all off and on because you’re so relatable. And I have to say, you are even more. I’m 8 years, 4 mos, and 9 days sober from an opiate addiction. I never had much of a propensity to like alcohol or anything addictive (except caffeine!); however, it all started with severe ovarian cysts along with a back issue from a job injury. I started getting small scripts for Percocet, which did help pain. But they also gave me an unwavering sense of relief from anxiety, stress, and made me feel incredibly weightless. I knew that was a cautionary tale, so I always had to be careful to hold the meds for my major pain only. My back pain became so intense, and I was diagnosed with facet joint disease and degenerative disc disease. I went to a “renowned” spine specialist in the Denver area. They were even treating a member of Fleetwood Mac at the time. I put all my trust in them through injections, ablations, and…. Narcotic pain meds. The doctor started giving me 180 Percocet tablets a month, 10 mgs each. I was told to take it every 4 hours. I was told that I was just fine taking it because I had such severe disease. But just a few months later, I was crying just like Cullen but hysterically to the doctor over the phone saying I couldn’t take it because I was addicted - going through withdrawal if I wasn’t on the spot with my meds. Without getting too in-depth and taking away from your story, I struggled off/on for a year+ with my opiate addiction. For me, I still go through a lot of therapy, and have different methods of working on myself constantly as I never ending DIY project. And I think that may be at some point you might be able to identify with the fact that, even though it has been such a traumatic time fighting through this disease, which you are powerless over, you will get through to the other side, and dare I say, look back on it as something that possibly did, in fact, change your life for the better!! I think that, for me, I would have continued to struggle internally with a lot of uncertain feelings, that I never could sort out. I would act out instead. And by acting out, I could never be content just being still and being happy as me. I always had to be busy, trying to be the perfect mother, the perfect career woman, the perfect, housewife and chef, the budget queen and couponer, who would spend several hours a week, trying to strategize my grocery shopping to get the best deal of everything and using that to occupy my brain instead of slowing down and enjoying time with my kids. There was a time that we did need to do that financially, but instead then it was a way to make myself feel useful and to pass the time as a valuable member of my family. It was something that made me feel worthy. Now, I’m content in my skin, and I can set goals for all types of things that I want to accomplish to enhance the person that I have become as genuine and mentally strong. I am so absolutely proud of you guys!!!! Allowing yourselves to be incredibly vulnerable and working through your emotions in the public arena is not easy. It is sincerely commendable!!! The whole entire process is difficult (there isn’t a significant enough word) from the initial acknowledgment to your own self to finally breaking down and being truthful to your loved ones, especially your children and your parents… plus close friends and family. I know that was a good 2+ years for me and for my brain to heal, along with going through intensive outpatient Rehabilitation, become comfortable with support groups and find the ones that seem to fit you. Then there is likely a few family/friends that elect not to be supportive and instead turn judgmental of your journey while you’re working so diligently to make yourself such a better person!! I can say that from unfortunate experience. But I hope and pray that you are blessed with only support, positivity, and love from one human being to another. just one person that has been through it, and I can tell you, that it is absolutely possible, specially when you surround yourself with like-minded people whom Are able to support you and what ever that looks like for the day. I’m sure you know that in the beginning each day is different, and sometimes you don’t know what to expect. But the beauty of it all is that you only have to take your life one day at a time. No one is perfect despite what they have to say about themselves or how they feel about you - just to make themselves feel better. You’ve got this, Caitie and Collin! It’s just another beginning of another great time in your life! Your kids are still so young that you have a bunch of time to spend time with them and set the great examples of role models that you are. None of what has happened have made you a bad person, again, regardless of what absolutely anyone tells you. Lean on your faith and one another, and I think you guys will get through this with the closest relationship ever.❤❤😊
I am so proud of both of you. I would love for you both to be able to share your whole story one day. Starting with the beginning and how long this has been going on for both of you. I’m sure you will help so many people. Keep going ❤ one day at a time. You both are doing great.
Thank you guys for sharing your story and how you have went about way's to quit drinking, speaking of drinking alcohol my dad's birth father was a alcoholic but he unfortunately passed away before I was born so I never got a chance to meet him, but from hearing he was a alocholic I have also heard that I could potentially have the risk of getting addicted to alcohol and stuff like that, luckily I don't like the taste of alcohol.
That person would have been my grandfather (my father's dad), and then back I think towards the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 my dad had a alcohol addiction, thankfully I didn't see him in that state because he lives over in Maine and we live in the New Brunswick area
So deeply proud of you guys!!! Now you get to live life to the fullest and everyone in your world will reap the benefits ❤ I’m 16 years sober and so grateful for freedom 🎉
So proud of you Cullen! My dad is going through liver failure because of years of drinking. I wish he would have quit decades ago. Your babies will appreciate you and your dedication in the future.
Thanks for your transparency and talking about how sneaky it was an how it effected everything. In all kinds of ways when you look back at it. I am an emotional person too. A lot of ADHD people are highly sensitive. And more susceptible to addiction too. And have emotional regulation issues. I am a crier. Especially if I have to talk about anything.❤ ❤❤❤❤❤
So proud of you and I can totally relate in a bit of a different way! I grew up with lots of relatives who were alcoholics that I vividly remember being drunk and the way they acted, the way they made me feel, and how I knew when I grew up that was NOT how I wanted to be. I wouldn't necessarily call my Dad an alcoholic at that time but he had not second thoughts about grabbing a beer aftering mowing the lawn, on a hot day relaxing in yard, or even at lunch when he came home on his lunch break and what made him stop dead in his tracks was when my little brother who was a toddler at the time was ready to eat lunch with my Dad on one of those lunch breaks excitedly ran to the fridge, grabbed a beer, ran it to the table and sat at his place all ready to eat! He said he never realized we were watching that closely and what exactly we were learning and he didn't want alcohol to be a problem for us since it ran in our family as well! It hurts now but one day Brooks is going to realize exactly what happened and why it happened and he is going to be extremely proud of you and realized just how much he is loved!
I'm so glad you trust in us enough to share this difficult journey with us. I'm proud of the hard your you've put in and continue to do. Addiction is an everyday, some times every minute battle and you've been doing it! I hope you continue to release those emotions etc to help you heal.
This was real and raw. Never apologize for your emotions. It good to see this side. It’s good for you mentally. Very proud of both of you. Always keep fighting. Take it one day at a time.
I commented years ago that my girls now 18 and 15 have never seen my husband, their dad drunk. 18 years sober. I knew Cullen was headed towards sobriety all those years ago. I'm so proud of both of you. Alcoholism is so much more than just drinking. It affects every aspect of your life. Keep striving guys xox
Props to you for getting sober. I grew up with an alcoholic father, i never knew what he was like sober, I take that back he was sober so he could work but after that full on drunk. I never didn't see him with beer in his hand. He was also addicted to other things as well. I'm proud that you got clean even though i know its hard. I wish I would have been able to know what my dad was like sober, but his alcoholism let to alcohol dementia and he passed away. So good for you for getting sober and keep up the work. Both of you
You guys are amazing keep up the journey you can do this. And kids do pick up on things thay watch what you do that is how thay learn if mom and Dad are doing it then thay thing is ok for them that is why we have make decisions that are good because they affect them too I raised two and I see the decisions that we made when thay were little how it has help them are damaged them now as adults we are the example to them we have to watch what we do and say because they will do and say what thay see and hear keep it up yo got this 😊
Cullen, let me tell you about my 39 year old son. He has struggled with alcohol and is an alcoholic. Went to rehab twice. Struggles everyday. The one thing he never did around anyone is cry or talk about it. Shuts down. Because men don't cry, bullshit. I wish he would cry or open up about anything he is feeling. I commend you for crying and being vulnerable. I feel that if you don't you don't heal. Let it out then let it go. The tears will dry up faster. God bless you on your recovery and its really every minute at a time, get to the next minute.
Kids notice. Even when you don’t think they do. My kids knew as soon as their dad was sober, they would come and talk to him more. Show him things, they weren’t scared to come and ask him for things instead of me. They didn’t understand but they saw the difference. And I think that’s what really keeps him sober besides himself. Like a motivation for him
Cull, you have everything inside you for what it takes to have an awesome, sober, happy, successful day and future. Keep doing what you're doing, what works, day at a time. Your smile lights up a room. You're a great husb and super dad to your kids. Kids look to their parents as a measure of what's good and right in the world. Keep being a great role model! Never stop laughing.😁
I enjoyed this video. I don’t know what it’s like to struggle with alcohol. But I think it’s so important to share. You both should be proud of your journey.
I am so happy for you all. My parents drank and there are certain things that affected me that I didn’t realize until i was older. I would have bad dreams and it was sad to have to take care of a parent that should know better.
I was addicted to not only alcohol but I was adding pills to it too. My come to Jesus moment was when I came bouncing down the stairs at my parents house just after I left my abusive ex husband and happily asking my step dad "where's mom?" Mind you my mom had been gone for 2 years. 2 days later I was on my way to my cousins place in Wyoming to get clean and sober. I am now 7 years clean and sober..
Showing your emotions helps others to see you are genuine in your fight to get your true self back. There are many ways this will pay off for you. One of the main ways is in the future of your children and grandchildren. Keep moving forward, you're doing a great job!
As a kid that grew up with a drug addict and alcoholic father who didnt stop for his kids, what you are showing your kids is amazing. It shows your love and dedication for them. My father died at 45 because of the damage he done to his body. It was tragic. Keep going yall got this!!!
My dad has been an alcoholic most of my life. I have so many vivid memories of hearing the explosive fights between him and my mom. Or how we would always have to worry if he was going to be in a bad mood. Almost every vacation we took as a family has some sort of memory of him being in an awful mood and yelling. My parents eventually divorced due to the addictions which also led to cheating. I know my dad has a good heart and he truly does love his kids, but alcohol has always just come first and really hindered our relationship. I’m 31 now with my own children and relationship isn’t all that close. We speak from to me and see him for holidays but that’s really It. I pray every day that at some point he will get sober so that he can truly embrace his grandchildren as they are growing so fast, but I honestly just don’t see it happening and it’s sad. Your sobriety is honorable. You have changed the trajectory of what life will look like for your children and the relationship you will build with them for years to come. They are lucky to have such committed and strong parents who would do anything for them. Love you guys!
Don’t EVER apologize for for showing emotion. I don’t know if you’re feeling this way, but it’s not a sign of weakness. The ones that have been around for years (for me, since Gaines was six months old/Cullen lost his dad) know this
So proud of you both, it's a journey... Even hour by hour ..thank you for being open and real ..your kids will love seeing you healthy , and being there for them and creating memories...they grow up so fast my son is 19 , and my daughter will be 18 in September... You both will help others 😁
There were alcoholics on my husband's side and on my dad's side the family. I divorced my ex husband (not for drinking), but our son saw what it did his dad and how he acted. His dad was ADHD and my son is. I find a lot of people with ADD or ADHD turn to drinking to feel better. My son understands that it runs in the family and he has not ever touched any kind of alcohol. He has friends that have tried to get him to and he has explained that he doesn't want to every take that chance, that if he picks it up, he may not be able to put it down. People can have a good time without alcohol as well. Some can just have a drink now and then and that is fine as long as it doesn't become an addiction.
i think there is a lot to be said about the effects alcohol has on someone with neurodivergent tendencies! My Mom PREACHED to us (what seemed like daily) to not start drinking and not turn out like our Dad...there wasn't the amount of knowledge there is today about it all so she was doing the best she could at the time. Good for your son!!
First, I want to tell you both congratulations! I understand how incredibly hard it is to do this. I have had to deal with addiction through my daughter. Second, I know Cullen from about 20 yrs ago from ACE. I may be wrong, but I think I remember Katie too. Not sure. Again, I am incredibly proud of you two! Addiction can destroy so much as it has in my family. I praise God everyday that recovery is possible! Stay the course and pat yourself on the back (or give each other a hug) because you are now creating a beautiful life for yourselves and your children! Again, I’m so proud! Btw, my daughter that was on ACE is Witni Roberson.
You should be so proud breaking an addiction is so hard I quit drinking about 10 years ago I still think about drinking you just have to get past your own thoughts... as far as the kids they will eventually get past it . God Bless you and your Family.
Sooooo proud of y’all!! I watched before Miss Gaines was born and loved y’all!! I even got a Alabama hoodie and everyone asked why Alabama.. (bc i live in nc) and I said it’s bc my RU-vidrs I watch!! I love y’all, y’all have been through so much and also loved the Dave Ramsey method y’all did, I did that for a little while but never went all in, and to see y’all do that.. y’all seriously are amazing.. keep it going!!!
I resent the crap out of my father for always being so out of the picture from being an alcoholic. He’s been ever since I was a baby and I’m well into adulthood now. I don’t touch alcohol because of him so I guess one good thing came from it? Idk hard to see it that way. At least you recognize it, feel bad even to the point of crying, and put forth a shit ton of effort to stay sober. Like you’ve done all the steps. What a great dad. I’m a lil jealous not gonna lie. 😕
I'm struggling and this was hard to watch and not exit this video. I'm an alcoholic, coming from both parents who are alcoholics, I went to Alo-Teen (I think that's what it was called) when I was a teenager to learn that my parents alcoholism wasnt my problem and or my fault. My husband and I have discussed cutting back a lot. I know he's ready to jump on the wagon but he's codependent on me. I know I can't be there for him, to help him. Because I don't want the help.... Yet. I'm struggling. I know I have a problem, all those side effects you talked about, I'm going through. But. I'm. Not. Ready. To. Face EVERY THING. Pray for me. I'm so proud of both ya. I've been a fan for 10years.
My fiancé and I had an accelerated relationship. We knew immediately that we were in for each other. We met late February of this year and engaged in April. It wasn’t until we were getting ready to move him to a hospice facility, that I was talking to one of his best friends outside as he was getting ready. I had no anything was wrong or in the year before we met he had at least one stay in rehab. When we were together, he only had one white claw maybe two at the most. I know there’s a shame in a stigma some people face with addiction and things like that. I wish he would’ve let me in. April 24th he passed from cirrhosis and renal failure. Thank you Cullen for your transparency and realness about what you’ve been going through the last couple years.
i have been following your journey in all of this. and I live a parallel life. unfortunately, we are getting a divorce, and he is still drinking. thank you for talking about alnon.. I need to go back. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
