Guest Contributor – Briyenna Souter
Hey everyone, my name’s Briyenna, but you can call me Bri (like the cheese). I wanted to share a little bit about my background—specifically, my struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues—and how they’ve shaped my journey in finding a career path outside the criminal justice system.
Living a “Normal Life” While Battling Addiction
A couple of years ago, I was deep in my alcoholism, all while trying to live a “normal life”—or at least that’s what I told those around me. I was functioning, but barely. I was in my last year of grad school, partying during my downtime, and completely neglecting my coursework. Tuesday night karaoke at a local bar was my favorite night of the week. I’d go out right after class ended and wouldn’t get home until 3 a.m. Then I’d wake up at 7 a.m. to go to work. I cured my hangovers with more drinking. I was completely unfazed by the routine I had created for myself.
I tried dropping out of school countless times, but I’d always end up on the phone with my academic advisor until midnight, as they talked me off the ledge. No one around me understood my spiral, but I knew what was happening—I was just in denial.
My Journey to Becoming a State Trooper
During this time, I was also pursuing my dream of becoming a state trooper. I know, right? Crazy, huh? How could I be a state trooper with the lifestyle I was living? It was easy at first because I knew I could lie my way out of anything. My family members were in denial too, because acknowledging my alcoholism meant they’d have to look at their role in it. To this day, they still tell me it was all in my head. Ugh. Hearing that was frustrating, to say the least.
As I became more self-aware, things started to get harder. My awareness of what was really going on began to eat me up inside. I knew I needed to stop, but how could I? No one had noticed, so why would I bring attention to the problem (and the solution) at the time? I was walking around numb to life.
I was in the middle of my push-up test at the state trooper academy when my instructor told me, “I’m being lenient on you—keep pushing, or quit now.” I quit. I was just two push-ups short of passing on to the next round. I met some great women during this process, but I knew it still wasn’t right for me.
Choosing Mental Health Over Alcohol
Throughout all these years, I never sought out proper mental health support because, in law enforcement—especially for state troopers—you couldn’t be medicated before joining the force. So, I suffered.
Once I made the decision to quit drinking and prioritize my mental health, I started looking both outward and inward. Over time, I began to feel again, though I wasn’t fully there yet. I started going to a place called Thrive Recovery Community and Outreach Center—mainly for Tuesday night yoga, even though I was still hungover while doing some of the poses. I continued this for some time before eventually quitting cold turkey.
From Denial to Sobriety
One night, I went out with my best friend to a local bar. I drank an insane amount, but I could still function and remember everything that happened. I even took care of my best friend that night. My tolerance was ridiculous for my size. Little ol’ five-foot-nothing Bri had the tolerance of an ox, and I was proud of it. But now, looking back, I feel disgusted. My skin literally crawls when I think about it.
This recovery journey forced me to confront a lot of feelings I had been suppressing with alcohol. I threw myself into recovery, attending groups like Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, church services, and sober events—anything to help me change my life. By changing my people, places, and things, my life instantly felt lighter—and so did I.
Finding My Place
Though my environments weren’t always ideal, I found a home within Thrive. It became my niche—a place where I could grow and flourish as I was meant to. Writing this brings tears to my eyes because no one truly knows the changes I’ve gone through. It’s unimaginable.
A New Beginning: Building a Career in Recovery Advocacy
Making a drastic career change, I am now a Peer at Thrive Everywhere. My journey has shaped everything I am today, and I love who I’ve become. Of course, there will always be good days and bad days, but I’m proud of who I am now.
Briyenna Souter is a peer advocate in recovery for nearly a year and a half, dedicated to supporting others on their healing journeys. With a keep passion for nature walks, meditation, yoga, and metaphysics, she brings a grounded and holistic approach to her work. Certified in three levels of Reiki, Briyenna is also a gifted psychic medium, a talent passed down through her lineage. She is committed to fostering healing, self-discovery, and meaningful connections in all aspects of life.
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