On The Road, a Story about Addiction

The Identity Project; a My Why Podcast

DISCLAIMER Listener discretion is advised. This podcast shares a true story that contains descriptions of a mature nature which may cause discomfort and/or trigger sensitive thoughts in some people. Please seek help from a trained professional or call 911 in emergencies. +++++++++ We are proud supporters and advocates for Residents in Recovery and today we have a special guest who has benefitted from this incredible organization. Today you will meet Justin, a man who had it all until addiction took over. Surrounding with support and paired with hard work Justin is rebuilding his life with a new outlook. Resource links for support is at the end of these show notes: SHOW NOTES: 1:53 Moving from Toronto out to Alberta, family struggles with addiction 4:00 "He had everything." 6:00 Turning 16 and working in the oil industry... 7:57 Loosing a friend 9:20 Processing loss 10:42 Mourning is a process 12:48 Getting lost in the shiny things 13:00 "I am worth more than what is in my bank account." 15:09 Insomnia and using to excess 15:35 Drug use, working and "the means" 18:18 How the addiction "thrived" 18:55 Working twice as hard to use 20:50 Spending time with the wrong people 21:30 When it really got bad... 23:45 Trying to reach out to help 24:10 "You end up alone." 28:54 Starting with treatment centers 29:10 "The effects of drugs don't just go away because you are clean for a week." 29:32 Not following the plan 30:00 The ongoing battle 30:07 "It's not a car wash." 30:53 Losing it all 34:36 The right place at the right time 38:33 "I couldn't do this on my own." 41:23 "The opposite of addiction is connection." 45:00 Addiction stemming from mental health 45:38 "When you took drugs out of my system I had to..." 46:00 "You are chasing something." 48:00 Opening the dialogue 50:00 A work in progress 51:42 Closing advice from Justin... Tyler's Story (a film by My Why) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI9Octp2k-8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI9Octp2k-8) Residents in Recovery: https://www.residentsinrecovery.com/ (https://www.residentsinrecovery.com/) Lloydminster Mental Health http://lloydminstermentalhealth.ca/ (http://lloydminstermentalhealth.ca/) Canadian Mental Health https://cmha.ca/ (https://cmha.ca/)