Beating Opioid Addiction | Joy's Story

Summary

The speaker reflects on their journey through addiction, beginning with the initial escape heroin provided from the stresses of their job as a correctional officer. They share the impact on their family and how addiction consumed them for 30 years. After hitting rock bottom, they found hope through faith and support, eventually becoming a peer recovery coach at Hopkins Bayview. Now, they inspire others, especially young people, to avoid wasting years in addiction. Their story emphasizes freedom from addiction, healing, and the importance of community support in recovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 Heroin initially provided a sense of peace, helping the speaker escape from constant worry.
• 😀 The speaker's addiction began while working as a correctional officer in a stressful environment.
• 😀 Despite facing addiction, the speaker tried to maintain appearances, avoiding disgrace for their family.
• 😀 The speaker's family was supportive, particularly their mother and grandmother, but the speaker couldn’t see the impact on them at the time.
• 😀 Addiction took away the speaker's ability to care for themselves, focusing only on their pain and need for relief.
• 😀 The speaker’s recovery began after a moment of self-realization and a cry for help, leading to a phone call that sparked change.
• 😀 The speaker now works as a peer recovery coach, helping others who are suffering from addiction by offering hope and understanding.
• 😀 Peer recovery coaches provide crucial emotional support and continuity of care from emergency room to hospitalization.
• 😀 Recovery is not just about overcoming addiction but learning to love and take care of oneself, something the speaker had to learn.
• 😀 The speaker now feels truly free, as they are able to make choices and pursue their dreams for the first time in their life.
• 😀 The speaker's message is one of hope, urging others not to waste time and to start their recovery journey sooner rather than later.

Q & A

What was the initial experience of the speaker with heroin?

The speaker initially loved heroin, feeling that it gave them a sense of peace and freedom from constant worry. It provided a temporary escape from stress and responsibilities.

How did the speaker's job as a correctional officer influence their addiction?

The speaker worked as a correctional officer at a stressful facility, where many colleagues used substances. This environment contributed to the speaker's own drug use, as they felt it was necessary to cope with the work stress.

What role did the speaker's family play in their addiction?

The speaker's family, especially their mother, were supportive once they learned of the addiction. The mother openly communicated about the issue to the family, acknowledging that the speaker was sick, but the speaker also felt the strain their addiction placed on their loved ones.

How did the speaker cope with their addiction and the fear of being judged?

The speaker faked being fine by maintaining appearances—going to work every day and pretending that they were not hurting anyone. They feared judgment and wanted to protect their family's reputation.

Who does the speaker admire the most, and why?

The speaker admires their mother and grandmother. The grandmother was considered the wisest person the speaker knew, while the mother was seen as the strongest. Both women provided strong emotional foundations during the speaker's upbringing.

What childhood experiences helped shape the speaker's resilience?

The speaker was raised in an environment filled with love from their great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. They spent time exploring nature, running in the woods, and feeling safe with their German Shepherd, which contributed to a sense of security and adventure.

How long was the speaker affected by addiction, and what realization did they have about themselves?

The speaker was lost in addiction for 30 years. The turning point came when they witnessed their own condition and were heartbroken, which prompted them to cry out to God for help. This marked the beginning of their recovery journey.

What kind of work does the speaker do now, and how does it relate to their past?

The speaker now works as a peer recovery coach at Hopkins Bayview, where they help others struggling with addiction. Their role allows them to use their personal experience to inspire and support individuals going through similar challenges.

What does the speaker think is an important aspect of addiction recovery care?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing the social circumstances surrounding addiction, such as the patient's environment and emotional support system. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that individuals receive the care they need.

How does the speaker describe their current sense of freedom after recovery?

The speaker describes their current freedom as the ability to make choices and pursue their dreams. They no longer feel controlled by the addiction and are learning to love and care for themselves and others, which they consider true freedom.