Heather Simco: You Don't Have to be an Addict to be Addicted
Heather Simco, wife of Pastor Gene Simco, Heather shares her powerful testimony of transformation—from a broken childhood and hidden struggles to freedom, faith, and 12 years of sobriety. Behind a successful life, she battled depression, insecurity, and addiction, using food and alcohol to cope with deep pain. What looked like control on the outside was actually a life spiraling underneath. Everything changed when she hit rock bottom and fully surrendered to God. In that moment, she experienced a life-changing breakthrough that removed her desire to drink—and started a journey of true healing.
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Heather Simco: You don't have to be an addict to be addicted - Reader Transcript:
Good morning.For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Pastor Gene’s wife—my name is Heather. Today I have the opportunity to share my testimony with you, which I do every year. This time of year is especially important in my story, and I’ll explain why.
One thing that was really important for me in sharing my testimony is this: I was not born a pastor’s wife.(laughter)
I’ve experienced a very different life, and I felt that if I expect others to open up and grow, I need to be willing to do the same. That’s the whole point of church—we help each other. So I hope something in my story resonates with you.
Early Life
I was born and raised in California. My parents were teenagers when they had me, and like many young marriages, it didn’t last. I lived with my dad, later with my grandparents, and eventually my dad remarried.
My upbringing became very “Cinderella-like,” and it shaped something in me I didn’t fully understand at the time:I learned to present a version of myself to the world that hid what was really going on at home.
“What happens at home stays at home.”
That created a habit of masking—showing people what I wanted them to see while hiding what I felt inside. That can only last so long before it falls apart.
First Encounter with God
At 14, I went to church with a friend and attended a youth trip to Lake Tahoe. During a prayer circle, I experienced something I had never felt before:
The peace of the Holy Spirit.
Everything else disappeared. It was overwhelming in the best way.
I came home excited and said, “I found Jesus!”But the response I got shut that down quickly.
So instead of growing, that moment became a seed—one that would take years to fully grow.
Depression & Coping
Not long after, I became deeply depressed.My first coping mechanism? Food.
I went from being athletic to struggling, feeling disconnected, and not fitting in. The depression got worse, and in high school, I reached a point where I was suicidal.
Most people didn’t know what I was going through. A few teachers helped me get through it.
I made a decision:“If I’m going to get out of this, college is my way out.”
Independence & Addiction Begins
At 17, I moved out on my own—no car, no license, just a few hundred dollars. I worked my way through college.
During that time, my coping shifted from food to alcohol.
It felt normal. It was college. Everyone around me did it.
I met my husband, Jean, and we built a life together—finishing school and starting a business. On the outside, everything looked successful.
But my drinking kept getting worse.
A Wake-Up Moment
Before I even finished high school, I hit a breaking point. After a fight, I attempted to take my life.
Jean had left to cool off, but a stranger stopped him and said:“You need to go back home to your girl.”
He did—and found me.
That man’s name? Angel.
Even then, God was watching over me when I wasn’t watching over myself.
Success on the Outside, Emptiness Inside
We became very successful. I retired from teaching in my 20s. From the outside, everything looked perfect.
But inside, I was empty.
I chased titles, achievements, material things—anything to feel worth something.Cars, clothes, success—it never filled the void.
I wore masks constantly. And it was exhausting.
Move to Florida & Breaking Point
We eventually moved to Florida. Shortly after, I was in a car accident that caused nerve damage.
Everything I used to define myself—gone.
God stripped it all away.
And that’s when my addiction spiraled.
Alcohol became more accessible, and I used my injury as an excuse. Eventually, I couldn’t hide it anymore.
Denial
I even went to therapy. When asked if I was an alcoholic, I said:
“I have a consumption problem.”
(laughter)
I believed I could control it. I couldn’t.
Church & Seeds of Change
We started going to church and joined a small group. There, I met women who openly said they were sober—and happy.
That didn’t make sense to me.
But those women became the ones who led me toward recovery.
Surrender
After a long downward spiral, I hit rock bottom.
One night, completely alone, I realized:
I could not fix this myself.
For the first time, I truly asked God for help.
April 30, 2014.
In that moment, God removed my desire to drink.
I have not had a drink since.
Transformation
That moment wasn’t the end—it was the beginning.
I had to rebuild everything:
My marriageMy relationship with my daughterMy identity
I learned:
Progress over perfectionHow to feel emotions instead of numb themHow to ask for help
I also learned something important:
You don’t have to be addicted to a substance to be addicted.
We can be addicted to:
WorkFoodSuccessSocial mediaControl
Sobriety isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Living Authentically
Today, I don’t wear masks.
The person you see is who I am.
And that is freedom.
Encouragement
We are not here because we’re perfect.
We are here because we are broken—and we need each other.
You don’t have to do life alone.
When you bring your struggles into the light:they lose their power.
Closing
I want you to know:
You are lovedYou are seenYou are not alone
Come as you are…but don’t stay as you are.
God has more for you.
Thank you.
Good morning.For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Pastor Gene’s wife—my name is Heather. Today I have the opportunity to share my testimony with you, which I do every year. This time of year is especially important in my story, and I’ll explain why.
One thing that was really important for me in sharing my testimony is this: I was not born a pastor’s wife.(laughter)
I’ve experienced a very different life, and I felt that if I expect others to open up and grow, I need to be willing to do the same. That’s the whole point of church—we help each other. So I hope something in my story resonates with you.
Early Life
I was born and raised in California. My parents were teenagers when they had me, and like many young marriages, it didn’t last. I lived with my dad, later with my grandparents, and eventually my dad remarried.
My upbringing became very “Cinderella-like,” and it shaped something in me I didn’t fully understand at the time:I learned to present a version of myself to the world that hid what was really going on at home.
“What happens at home stays at home.”
That created a habit of masking—showing people what I wanted them to see while hiding what I felt inside. That can only last so long before it falls apart.
First Encounter with God
At 14, I went to church with a friend and attended a youth trip to Lake Tahoe. During a prayer circle, I experienced something I had never felt before:
The peace of the Holy Spirit.
Everything else disappeared. It was overwhelming in the best way.
I came home excited and said, “I found Jesus!”But the response I got shut that down quickly.
So instead of growing, that moment became a seed—one that would take years to fully grow.
Depression & Coping
Not long after, I became deeply depressed.My first coping mechanism? Food.
I went from being athletic to struggling, feeling disconnected, and not fitting in. The depression got worse, and in high school, I reached a point where I was suicidal.
Most people didn’t know what I was going through. A few teachers helped me get through it.
I made a decision:“If I’m going to get out of this, college is my way out.”
Independence & Addiction Begins
At 17, I moved out on my own—no car, no license, just a few hundred dollars. I worked my way through college.
During that time, my coping shifted from food to alcohol.
It felt normal. It was college. Everyone around me did it.
I met my husband, Jean, and we built a life together—finishing school and starting a business. On the outside, everything looked successful.
But my drinking kept getting worse.
A Wake-Up Moment
Before I even finished high school, I hit a breaking point. After a fight, I attempted to take my life.
Jean had left to cool off, but a stranger stopped him and said:“You need to go back home to your girl.”
He did—and found me.
That man’s name? Angel.
Even then, God was watching over me when I wasn’t watching over myself.
Success on the Outside, Emptiness Inside
We became very successful. I retired from teaching in my 20s. From the outside, everything looked perfect.
But inside, I was empty.
I chased titles, achievements, material things—anything to feel worth something.Cars, clothes, success—it never filled the void.
I wore masks constantly. And it was exhausting.
Move to Florida & Breaking Point
We eventually moved to Florida. Shortly after, I was in a car accident that caused nerve damage.
Everything I used to define myself—gone.
God stripped it all away.
And that’s when my addiction spiraled.
Alcohol became more accessible, and I used my injury as an excuse. Eventually, I couldn’t hide it anymore.
Denial
I even went to therapy. When asked if I was an alcoholic, I said:
“I have a consumption problem.”
(laughter)
I believed I could control it. I couldn’t.
Church & Seeds of Change
We started going to church and joined a small group. There, I met women who openly said they were sober—and happy.
That didn’t make sense to me.
But those women became the ones who led me toward recovery.
Surrender
After a long downward spiral, I hit rock bottom.
One night, completely alone, I realized:
I could not fix this myself.
For the first time, I truly asked God for help.
April 30, 2014.
In that moment, God removed my desire to drink.
I have not had a drink since.
Transformation
That moment wasn’t the end—it was the beginning.
I had to rebuild everything:
My marriageMy relationship with my daughterMy identity
I learned:
Progress over perfectionHow to feel emotions instead of numb themHow to ask for help
I also learned something important:
You don’t have to be addicted to a substance to be addicted.
We can be addicted to:
WorkFoodSuccessSocial mediaControl
Sobriety isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Living Authentically
Today, I don’t wear masks.
The person you see is who I am.
And that is freedom.
Encouragement
We are not here because we’re perfect.
We are here because we are broken—and we need each other.
You don’t have to do life alone.
When you bring your struggles into the light:they lose their power.
Closing
I want you to know:
You are lovedYou are seenYou are not alone
Come as you are…but don’t stay as you are.
God has more for you.
Thank you.