The Psych Central Show: Candid Chat On Mental Health & Psychology

How exactly does a three-time Olympic gold medalist end up with alcohol use disorder? At just 16, Carrie Bates stood on the Olympic podium with a gold medal around her neck. To the world, she had it all — talent, drive, and glory. But behind the scenes, Carrie was fighting a growing battle with alcohol that nearly cost her everything. In this episode, Olympian Carrie Bates opens up about her journey from the top of the podium to nearly losing everything. Despite her success, Carrie saw many of the same warning signs many people face: denial, escalating drinking, and the belief that achievement meant she couldn’t possibly have a problem. Surrounded by a culture that celebrated alcohol, she ignored loved ones’ concerns and spiraled into dangerous behaviors — until a crisis forced her to confront the truth. Listen and learn: how cultural messages about alcohol normalize addiction the early warning signs of alcohol misuse, even for high achievers why recovery is not instant — and how resilience leads