I still worry. Just not as much. I have thoughts but let them fly. If the thought gets too rat-wheel, like it might spin all day and night, and all I want is to connect, then I do. I text or call. I leave a message, “I love you.” I forget how lucky I am,...Read More

My name is Heather and I’m in long term recovery from major depressive disorder and substance use. I have been in recovery going on 5 years. I need to express how grateful I am for being given another chance at life. Opiates were my choice and it almost killed me. My use of opiates started...Read More

Putting your grief into words is indescribable. Our family’s life was forever changed by an unspeakable tragedy when we lost our beautiful boy, our 21 year old son Cody, to a heroin overdose. This monster stole his dreams, our dreams, and the wreckage left behind is un-navigable. There is no healing, no moving on, your...Read More

My story…. I’ve had a few spinal surgeries and when the pills ended is where my story really starts. I went through the nasty withdrawals and found myself on the other side. Until I started smoking pot to help my pain (physically and emotionally) You see I’ve been through a pretty crappy life… my father...Read More

I want to share a story here, not to bring light upon myself, but to something that I have struggled with for many years. These are my words, not something that I copied and pasted. I hope that this will bring awareness and hope for who ever reads this: I joined a group on Facebook...Read More

I am the mother of a daughter with a substance use disorder (SUD). I am also a wife, sister, friend, dog owner, New Orleans Saints fan, a lover of all things chocolate, a blogger, a speaker, a family peer support specialist, and an educator/advocate for family members who are navigating the landscape of AUD and...Read More

My name is Jamie Wilson. I have been living in long term recovery for over nine years. My journey through addiction was one I would not wish on anyone. It all started after my husband of 13 years decided to cheat on me with my best friend which was in 2001. I was living in...Read More

On November 4, 2017, we lost our only son, John Ryan, to a fentanyl overdose. He was an Army Veteran who was injured while stationed at Ft. Wainwright, AK. John was in chronic pain for the last year and a half of his military service. By the time he was honorably discharged, he had lost...Read More

I started experiencing trauma at a very young age, and it went on into my teenage years. I was physically, emotionally, verbally and sexually abused. I grew up hating drugs because my bio mom was an addict and left when I was 2 years old. I don’t recall ever hearing the word “addiction” back then...Read More

I know what it feels like to wake up in the ICU with tubes down my throat and asking the doctors, “What happened?” “You overdosed, and almost died. You’re lucky to be alive.” The doctor said. I know what it feels like to plead guilty to a felony crime in front of a judge that...Read More