Stories

Mollie knows firsthand how important it is to be surrounded by a community that understands and supports you.

Kristan now feels truly engaged in her life and takes pride in the milestones she's reached.

Edris is committed to being a source of strength, both for himself and for those around him.

Demitrius is proud of the life he’s built through his recovery from substance use disorder.

Chandler is a big advocate for people in his community who are dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD). After nearly losing his life to an overdose, he knows how important support can be. ❤️‍🩹 Chandler is a big advocate for people in his community who are dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD). After nearly losing his life to an overdose, he knows how important support can be. ❤️‍🩹 He wants everyone to have the treatment resources they need and spreads awareness ab

Lauren’s journey changed the day she met a peer support specialist who helped her find a recovery group and, with it, a real community. Hearing other people’s stories gave her the courage to shape her own path forward. Lauren’s journey changed the day she met a peer support specialist who helped her find a recovery group and, with it, a real community. Hearing other people’s stories gave her the courage to shape her own path forward. Asking for help while dealing with a subst

April says her daughter, Alaina, helped her grow closer to God. Alaina was bold, loving, and full of faith. 💛 She passed away in 2022 due to her substance use disorder (SUD). April says her daughter, Alaina, helped her grow closer to God. Alaina was bold, loving, and full of faith. 💛 She passed away in 2022 due to her substance use disorder (SUD). Since her passing, April has become even more committed to fighting the shame and stigma around SUD. April knows that sharing th

Bethany's recovery journey led her to a community of support. As a result of this healing, today Bethany sees herself as capable, strong, and loving, woman. For Bethany, feeling welcomed by a new church community played a big role in moving forward in her recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Along with support from her doctors and her family, that sense of belonging made a real difference, just as it does for so many others. As a result of this healing, today Bethany

We were honored to attend the Recovering Hope Conference at Campbell University 🖤🧡. We got to talk attendees with Laura and Hannah about how much community matters in recovery. We were honored to attend the Recovering Hope Conference at Campbell University 🖤🧡. We got to talk attendees with Laura and Hannah about how much community matters in recovery, ask them what it means to them to "Unshame." Both of them are strong community advocates who want to reduce stigma around

Peter's family supported him through his SUD and made him feel safe and loved. Peter hopes to share his story and spark real conversations that bring people together and feel more accepted. Peter’s family helped him feel safe asking for help while dealing with his substance use disorder (SUD), and he’s so grateful for their love and support. He calls recovery a “team sport,” because we all need each other, and things feel more possible when we lift one another up. Leaning on

Christina enjoys and is proud of the life that she has built. She hopes to encourage others to always lead with love and kindness. Christina is proud of the life she’s built today: she has a great career, meaningful relationships, and a special bond with her cavapoo, Dafford 🐶. As someone in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD), she’s faced challenges finding housing and jobs. That’s why she encourages everyone to lead with love and support others whenever they can,

Through Jorgie's journey, she found a recovery program that supported her and she could connect with. Jorgie plans to enter into the Criminal Justice and Advocacy field to change the way we think about SUD. Jorgie found a recovery program that really worked for her—one where she was supported by people with their own lived experiences with substance use disorder (SUD). Today, she’s proud of who she’s become and the community she’s built. She hopes to one day work in criminal

Through Melody's recovery journey, she has learned the power of loving herself. Melody has also found community through Arise Collective and the women there. Through her recovery, Melody has learned the power of loving herself. Now she wants to share that love with others. In her words, she wants people to know it's okay "...to turn their mess into a message." 💜 Melody has found an amazing community at Arise Collective, a nonprofit that helps connect women with recovery serv

Mollie has found connection and courage through her recovery journey. She hopes to encourage others through their own recovery journeys. Mollie has come so far in her recovery. Early in her journey, she felt alone and kept her story secret. Today, she lives out loud, giving her the courage to be the person, friend, and mom she wants to be. Now, Mollie wants to teach others what a recovery journey can look like. It's not always linear, and every step a person takes matters. "W

Ashley describes her recovery journey and the connection to MOUD. Ashley also shares her journey through motherhood and her advocacy. Ashley credits medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with the life and successes she has today. She works hard to be the best mom she can be and has found so much joy and connection in recovery. Now, she’s committed to paying it forward 🤝 fighting stigma and helping others get the support and resources they need.

Lexie’s faith has guided his recovery and inspired him to help others begin their own healing journeys. Through love and understanding, he shows that faith is stronger than stigma. Lexie’s relationship with God has helped to keep him strong and motivated in his recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). His faith is also what led him to start working in the recovery field. Today, Lexie supports other people with substance use disorders (SUDs) as they begin their own recovery

John channels his journey with substance use disorder into sharing stories that inspire understanding and hope. He’s focused on recovery and building a life he’s proud of—showing that healing is possible for everyone. Substance use disorder (SUD) has touched John’s life in many ways. That’s why he believes it’s so important to share stories and information with others—to help open people’s ears and hearts. Today, John pours his energy into staying focused on recovery and buil

With her mom’s support and encouragement from peers about MOUD, Lauren found the tools she needed for recovery. Today, she’s built a life she’s proud of and a loving family that means everything to her. Support from Lauren’s mom and advice from her peers about medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) were two big parts of her recovery journey. She's proof that having the right tools, care, and support can make all the difference. 💙 Today, Lauren has a family she loves with

Dane is grateful for the support he received through harm reduction, which helped him achieve so much and strengthen his family bonds. Inspired by his journey, he now works in harm reduction to uplift others and continue reaching for new possibilities. Dane’s journey was made possible because of people working in harm reduction. He is so proud of all that he’s been able to achieve over the course of his life, and he’s grateful for the ways it has brought his family together.

When Michael recognized how substance use was affecting his behavior and pulling him away from the life he wanted, he decided to pursue recovery with the support of a caring community. Along the way, he rebuilt meaningful connections and found purpose in helping others on similar journeys. When Michael began to see how substance use was changing his behavior and distancing him from the life he wanted, he made the courageous decision to step into recovery. With the unwavering