Imagine going from a college‑bound basketball star to stealing change jars just to stay high. That’s the raw path Dakota Mortensen opens up about in this candid conversation. Growing up on a bird farm with a tight‑knit Mormon family and a deep love for sports, he never imagined that a knee injury would introduce him to pain pills—or that popping a couple to get through practice would snowball into snorting pills, moving to 30‑milligram “blues,” and eventually chasing heroin.

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Dakota recounts how his parents discovered his stash, how he tried to hide his addiction behind a “jock” persona, and how his high‑school sweetheart—later his wife—walked out after catching him smoking heroin. He talks about overdosing in front of her and the shame and emptiness that followed. When she left, he hit rock bottom. Yet he also describes the paradox of feeling “free” when he didn’t care about anything, even as his life spiraled.

Through multiple relapses, treatment centers and hard‑won moments of clarity, Dakota ultimately chose recovery. He shares the emotions addicts often suppress, why community and family support mattered, and how he uses his platform today to advocate for opioid addiction recovery, fentanyl awareness and mental health. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to claw your way back from addiction, this story pulls no punches while showing that sobriety is possible. Stick around to hear how he stays sober, builds community and helps others find hope—and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment with your own questions, and share this story with someone who needs it.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Dakota’s mission
01:05 – Bird‑Farm Childhood & Basketball Dreams
03:30 – Knee Injury & Pain‑Pill Gateway
05:40 – Snorting Pills & Teenage Experimentation
07:50 – Denial, Warnings & Family Intervention
10:00 – Losing Basketball & Sliding to Stronger Drugs
13:15 – Marriage, Overdose & Dual Lives
18:07 – Rock Bottom: She Leaves & Self‑Hatred
20:30 – Emotions, Numbness & Illusion of Control
23:00 – Choosing Recovery & Becoming an Advocate

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How can a seemingly harmless sports injury lead to opioid addiction?

What are early signs of opioid addiction in a high‑school athlete?

How did snorting pills accelerate Dakota’s addiction?

How do parents handle finding pain pills in their child’s pocket?

What happens when addiction strips away a lifelong passion like basketball?

How can addiction impact a marriage and cause a loved one to leave?

Why do some people feel “in control” even while their addiction is ruining everything?

What triggers finally push someone from denial to seeking help?

How does self‑hatred and shame feed into the cycle of relapse?

What role do community and family support play in opioid addiction recovery?

How do you rebuild trust and self‑worth during a mental health recovery journey?

What does daily life look like for someone several years sober?

How can sharing your story inspire others to seek mental health treatment?

Why is it important to address both emotional pain and physical dependence in recovery?

What actionable steps can someone take today if they’re struggling with fentanyl addiction?

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealth #sobriety