#MyRecovery – Tina’s Story
#MyRecovery – Tina’s Story
During Recovery Month, we’ve asked people in recovery to share their stories about what led them to recovery and their experience with treatment, so that others can feel empowered to open up and seek help, too. This is Tina’s story. #MyRecovery
1. How did your experience with opioids start, and when did you know you needed help?
I started to get addicted to opiates and started using drugs after I got into a motorcycle accident. I didn’t intend to get addicted but my doctor started prescribing me pain meds for my pain in my leg after I started walking again cause the pain was really bad so the doctor put me on perks and hydromorphs… it wasn’t long after that.
Then I was put on fentanyl patches. I was on them for quite a few years. Till my sister told my doctor that I was selling my patches cause I would not help her with any so after that I was cut off and red flagged. It wasn’t till my accident with Dave that I got addicted to street drugs.
I would ask him questions about why he uses needles in my truck and shooting up in the back of my truck. I was dropping off my brother and sister in law at Tim Hortons when Dave decided to stab me in the back of my arm with one of the needles that he filled with cocaine and heroin when I took a seizure behind the wheel of my truck after crossing a green light and drove my truck into the gas barrier at the gas station across the street. After I came through from the drug induced seizure the police came and took my driver’s license and that’s when my journey of drug addiction started.
2. What’s something that a lot of people misunderstand or “get wrong” about addiction or people who use drugs?
That everyone in the world has an addiction of some kind. It doesn’t matter what kind fo addiction a person has, it’s still an addiction and nobody should judge.
3. What has it been like getting treatment? What has it meant to you?
Treatment has saved me from endocarditis which I got from using drugs about 12 years ago now, I fought for my life. It’s helped me be able to work on getting my children and save money. It’s giving me hope again.
4. What have you learned about yourself along your recovery journey?
That I’m still strong and that I just have to start living again and everything will fall into place. Life and living is a way better drug cause you’re high on life.
5. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
That I’m a fighter and determined to become whole again. I love helping people overcome their addiction. Just like myself.
6. If you could share one message to people who may be struggling with substance use, what would it be?
If I can do it, so can you. Be strong, love yourself, help others. Be safe and live and be happy cause God loves you and I believe you can live again there’s still a spark in your heart you just have to find it and give yourself time to live again.
Thank you, Tina, for sharing your recovery journey. Happy Recovery Month!
Find more #MyRecovery stories here
All stories and photos are shared with expressed consent by the individuals.