Opioid Prevention Toolkit

OPIOID & HEROIN AWARENESS TOOLKIT A Prevention Guide for Families

A Local Story, continued When I began recovery, I didn’t know the extent of my addiction. I figured that my addiction was simply my physical dependence to opioids. I remember hearing early on in NA meetings that alcohol is a drug, and I thought to myself then “no it’s not.” I started to occasionally drink, and this led to smoking marijuana, which led to buying a couple pain pills, which led to smoking crack, which led to heavily abusing suboxone up until the week I was being sentenced. During this time, which was almost a year long, I had everybody convinced that I was clean. Up until my sentencing I was told by my public defender that the district attorney was pushing for one year in jail and four years of extended supervision. This idea was like a cancer in my brain that consumed every thought I had. I figured if I’m going to jail I might as well party before I go. I was found guilty of two counts felony burglary and misdemeanor theft among other misdemeanors. To my surprise and relief, I was sentenced to complete a drug court program with extended supervision. I had my family’s support in the courtroom with me that day and it was a rather joyous occasion. However, I knew that I wasn’t out of the woods just yet. I was frantically trying to flush out my system because I knew I was going to be drug tested soon. A couple days after my sentencing I was called in for my first drug court drug screen, and failed. I then was faced with my biggest fear of telling everybody that I have been lying. This was my true turning point and the moment in my life that I look back on as being one of the most important thus far. Some people were concerned but embraced my admittance while others severely shamed me. I felt defeated again, but I decided to keep my nose down and do whatever was suggested to me by support group meetings and drug court officials. I began to make tremendous strides. I embraced the belief in a higher power, which relieved me more than I ever thought it would. Everything seemed to look different to me and I started to notice a path being carved for a better and new life. I continued to do what was asked of me and started to push myself more and more. It was required that I attend three support group meetings a week. This was sometimes a challenge, but I did it.

– Sometimes I sit in silence and look around my house and think to myself, “Wow, you did all of this.” Today I have 1193 days clean and sober. I now embrace the challenges I’m faced with full of gratitude, because I know that there isn’t a problem out there that is worth getting high over.

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CISM