From Surviving to Supporting: My Journey Into Recovery Work

By Carolin Pettersson, Estepona, Spain – April 10, 2025

I was born in Sweden, the eldest of three siblings. At just six months old, my family moved to Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of a childhood spent between countries—Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania. When I was eight, we returned to Sweden, where I stayed until I turned eighteen.

Growing up, our family life was marked by dysfunction. Alcohol was the go-to solution for stress and conflict, and emotional expression was often buried under the pressure to keep up appearances. It didn’t matter how we felt inside, as long as things looked good from the outside. That left a lasting mark.

I trained as a teacher and have spent over 35 years working with both children and adults. Throughout, a deep drive to help others—whether human or animal—has guided me. In recent years, however, I’ve become increasingly concerned about how modern parenting trends are affecting young people. I see more and more children shielded from accountability and essential life lessons, which makes me wonder how they’ll manage adulthood.

My understanding of addiction deepened early in life when I saw my mother struggle with alcoholism. I spent years trying to help her, but addiction has its own cruel rhythm, and it taught me a great deal about powerlessness and grief. Later, my husband Björn also struggled with alcohol dependency. This time, I realized I needed to take care of myself. I entered recovery, which inspired Björn to begin his own healing journey. That experience was transformational.

These personal experiences led me to shift my professional path. Today, I’m a certified Recovery Coach with training in CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), and I devote my work to supporting others impacted by addiction. I feel incredibly privileged to work with The Zenit Room Recovery Services and collaborate with Castle Health Group in Ireland. Through these roles, I help individuals and families reconnect with themselves, rebuild relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Recovery is not just about stopping substance use. It’s about healing, connection, and reclaiming one’s life—and I am honored to walk alongside those on that journey.