Sharing Hope with a Fellow Soul in Recovery

Dr. Nikki LeToya White, Trauma Informed Nutritionist and Recovery Coach

Hi, Women in recovery from trauma and addiction

I recently received a heartfelt email from a potential client who is currently on Day 5 of meth withdrawal and feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to restart her life. She opened up about her relapse cycles, the pressure of being unemployed with debt, and the guilt of being supported by her aging mother. She also shared the hopeful news that she has a job interview coming up—her first in months.

She reached out to me for advice, and I responded with empathy, sharing part of my own recovery journey from sugar addiction and binge eating disorder to show her that healing is possible, no matter where you're starting from.

Here’s what I told her:

Hey, I just want to say thank you for sharing this—it takes real strength to be this honest. Reading your story reminded me of my own struggle, not with meth, but with sugar addiction and binge eating. While our substances are different, the pain, the cycle, the shame, the deep desire to restart... that part? I feel it in my bones.

I used to binge on sugar when I was overwhelmed, anxious, or feeling worthless. I'd promise myself I’d stop, but the cravings always came back like a wave. I’d hide what I was doing, hate myself afterward, and then spiral deeper. It affected everything—my mood, my work, my confidence, my body. I felt stuck in a body and mind that didn’t feel like mine anymore.

Like you, I had moments of clarity—months where I felt like I was finally breaking free. I’d do so well, feel alive, hopeful, and back on track. But then something would knock me off balance, and I’d relapse. And that shame of “here we go again” can feel unbearable.

But please believe this: you can come back home to yourself. You can start over. You are not too far gone. And your life is not over. You are only 26. That is young. The fact that you're here, 5 days clean, tells me your soul wants this. Your spirit is still fighting. And THAT is something no addiction can kill.

Here are some things that helped me—maybe they’ll help you too:

1. Micro Goals, Not Big Ones

When my brain felt fried, I stopped trying to fix my whole life. I just focused on one thing: wake up, drink water, shower, move my body, eat one nourishing meal. Those little wins gave me momentum.

2. Self-Compassion Every Step

You’re not lazy. You’re not weak. You’re healing. And healing doesn’t look like a straight line. It’s messy. And that’s okay.

3. A Routine Anchors You

I made a morning and evening routine that gave my brain something to rely on. Even something as simple as lighting a candle, journaling, or playing calming music helped me feel grounded again.

4. Nutrition Matters

Whether it’s meth or sugar, our brains take a hit. I started eating protein, healthy fats, and drinking lots of water. I added in omega-3s and B-vitamins—life-changing for my focus, energy, and mood.

5. Daily Mantra: "Today I Choose Me."

I wrote this on my mirror. It reminded me that every day is a new chance to choose a life I don’t need to escape from.

6. Have a Relapse Plan

Eventually I realized relapses weren't failures—they were information. So I made a plan: who to call, what to do instead, what I needed to feel safe. You can do this too.

And listen—you got a job interview?! That’s a huge win. That means the universe is already making space for your comeback. You don’t need to be fully healed to say yes to a new beginning. You just have to show up.

I'm rooting for you. I see you. I hear you. You’re not alone in this.

If no one told you today: you matter. You are worthy. You can do this.

With all my heart,

Dr. Nikki LeToya White, spicedlifeconversation.com (A woman in recovery)

Note: To anyone else reading this who is struggling with trauma, addiction, or the weight of starting over—I want you to know this: you are not broken, and you are not alone. Recovery is not about perfection; it's about progress. It's about choosing yourself—one moment, one breath, one decision at a time.

You can heal. You can rebuild. And there is a version of your life waiting for you that feels safe, joyful, and true. I know because I’ve been there. And if this message reaches even one person who needed a little light today—I hope it reminds you that your story isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning.

With love,

Dr. Nikki White A woman in recovery, always rooting for you 💛

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ARE YOU LOOKING TO DIVE DEEPER INTO SELF-CARE?

I Can Help in Developing A Plan For Self Care

 Do you want help developing a self-care plan that works for your own busy schedule? Do you want accountability in implementing a self-care plan? If you or someone you love is struggling to maintain optimal mental and emotional health, consider reaching out to Spiced Life Conversation Art Wellness Studio and Botanica. We are a Metro Atlanta, Conyers Georgia area. We are a coaching and counseling practice with empathetic, skilled counselors and recovery coaches who can help you set goals, develop a self-care routine, and move forward to build a more fulfilling life. Our team would be happy to work with you either just for a couple of sessions to develop and implement a Self-care plan or longer term to work toward overall better mental health within our membership site or other programs.

Dr. Nikki LeToya White

About The Author:  Dr. Nikki LeToya White MSEd-TL, Ph.D. RHN is the founder, director, and full-time board-certified trauma-informed nutritionist, folk herbalist, and wellness consultant at Spiced Life Conversation Art Wellness Studio and Botanica. She created Spiced Life Conversation, LLC Art Wellness Studio, and Botanica to provide the Metro Atlanta area with counseling and coaching services where clients are carefully matched with the right program for healing abandonment and childhood emotional neglect trauma that cause codependency, emotional eating, financial stress, and imposter syndrome as it relates to the fear of success and being abandon. We help you begin your emotional healing journey with ease. Recently, we have expanded to include an online membership site so we now provide support to people living all over the world. All of our recovery coaches provide at least one evidence-based treatment to assist in your recovery. Dr. White is a big proponent of self-care and helping people live a fulfilling life! She has been in full remission with both codependency and emotional binge eating disorder since 2016. In living a life in recovery from sugar addiction. I love my low-sugar balanced lifestyle.

Best Regards

 Dr. Nikki LeToya White