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Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden Opens Up About Her Journey Through High-Functioning Alcoholism: “I Thought I Was Fine—Until I Quit”

Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse and social media personality known for her candid insights into end-of-life care, has shared a deeply personal story about her battle with alcohol dependency. In a viral TikTok video that has resonated with millions, McFadden revealed that she once considered herself a “high-functioning alcoholic”—a term she now uses to help others understand the often-misunderstood nature of addiction.

Living Behind a Facade

“I did not drink every day. I still had a job. I had never been to jail, never had a DUI,” McFadden told her 1.7 million TikTok followers (@hospicenursejulie). “In fact, many close people in my life would not have considered me an alcoholic” (LADbible, 2025 LADbible).

From the outside, McFadden appeared to have everything together. She was professionally successful, socially active, and maintained a stable lifestyle. But internally, she knew something was wrong. “I always knew I had a ‘thing’ with alcohol,” she said. “But I was still functioning pretty well, so who cares, right?”

What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

The term “high-functioning alcoholic” isn’t officially recognized in medical literature, but it’s commonly used to describe individuals who are dependent on alcohol yet continue to meet daily responsibilities. According to the Priory Group, these individuals often maintain jobs, relationships, and social lives while hiding their addiction (Priory Group, 2025).

McFadden acknowledged that some in recovery dislike the term, but she believes it accurately describes her experience. “Alcoholism is so misunderstood in the world,” she said. “We have this image of what alcoholism is, and if you don’t fit that image, you ‘don’t need help.’ A lot of people suffer because of that, and I was one of those people for many years” (Internewscast, 2025 internewscast.com).

The Turning Point

Despite trying various methods to quit—retreats, exercise, church—nothing seemed to work. At age 33, McFadden made the decision to stop drinking entirely. But instead of her life improving, things got harder.

“My life got smaller,” she explained. “It was harder for me to go out in public and do things, see friends, work out, have hobbies. I thought my life was going to flourish. It was the opposite of flourish.”

The real breakthrough came when she confided in an acquaintance, who shared that her own mother had faced a similar struggle and found recovery through a 12-step program. Inspired, McFadden joined a program herself—and everything changed.

“That is when my sobriety truly took off,” she said. “I learned how to live sober and use a 12-step program to give me relief—relief that alcohol used to give me. I learned about alcoholism, what it meant to be an alcoholic. It’s not just about drinking, it’s about thinking.”

Eight Years Sober and Still Healing

Now eight years into her sobriety journey, McFadden continues to attend meetings and advocate for recovery. “It’s the biggest part of my life. It has shaped every part of my life and I feel recovered,” she said. “Alcoholism is still alive and well in this brain and I need to treat that. I can treat that with alcohol or I can treat it with recovery. Today, I choose recovery.”

Her story has sparked widespread support and opened up conversations about the hidden faces of addiction. By sharing her experience, McFadden hopes to challenge stereotypes and encourage others to seek help—even if they don’t fit the traditional image of an alcoholic.

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