I Was Either Going to Die by Accident or on Purpose...and I Still Drank | A Young Woman’s Sobriety Story

Neva Coleman shares her raw and deeply honest journey through high-functioning alcoholism, trauma, perfectionism, and getting sober at a young age — long before her life “looked” like it was falling apart.

In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Neva opens up about growing up in New Jersey, losing her father in the 9/11 attacks, excelling academically and socially, and how alcohol slowly became her coping mechanism. What started as “normal college drinking” at Tulane University escalated into blackouts, extreme anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and a terrifying 3-day Mardi Gras bender that led her to call the suicide hotline.

Despite near-death moments, being roofied, severe withdrawals, and repeated attempts to moderate, Neva continued drinking — a reality many people in active addiction know all too well. This conversation dives into the truth about alcohol use disorder, why “high-functioning” doesn’t mean healthy, and how denial can keep someone stuck for years.

Neva also talks candidly about:

• Getting sober in her early 20s

• Why she didn’t identify as an alcoholic at first

• Trying moderation and why it failed

• Anxiety, perfectionism, and people-pleasing

• The loneliness of early sobriety

• Finding community through AA and therapy

• Healing her relationship with her mother

• Using social media to break stigma and help others

This episode is for anyone who:

• Thinks their drinking isn’t “bad enough”

• Is successful on the outside but struggling inside

• Is afraid sobriety means life will be boring

• Is sober-curious, newly sober, or struggling in silence

If this conversation resonates with you, you are not alone — and help is available.

Neva's Tiktok & IG: soberpartygirlll

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