Beyond the Bottle-Part 2
Health/Wellness | Registration opens 1/5/2026 12:00 AM MST (Arizona)
In this session, Kate focuses on her path through alcoholism, sobriety, relapse, and current sobriety. She examines how alcohol often functions as self-medication for anxiety, overstimulation, and unresolved emotional pain. Beyond abstinence, she discusses what truly changes the brain and behavior—knowledge, therapy, medication, mindfulness, and meaningful connection—and why AA alone may not fit everyone’s needs. The talk reframes alcoholism as an adaptive but destructive attempt to quiet an overactive mind and reclaim inner balance.
Kate Mohler
Mohler, Kate - has taught English at Mesa Community College since 1995. She has served in various capacities over the years, including sustainability committee chair and Book Club Coordinator. Currently, she serves as President of Ability Maricopa, the District's advocacy group for employees and students with disabilities. Kate was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016 at the age of 48; she has been reading about and studying all types of mental illness since then to help educate herself and to create informative presentations for others. Kate believes that the stigma associated with mental illness can be reduced through candid conversation, education about major symptoms, and the sharing of personal experiences. In addition to studying and speaking on neurodiversity, Kate loves to travel, cook, and write. She grew up in Minnesota but has lived in Wisconsin, UP Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Alaska.