Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick share their personal experiences with substance use during their teenage years. They share insights into recognizing signs that your teenager might be using drugs. They are joined by guest April Rhodes, a mother who tragically lost her son to fentanyl.

Matt and Ryan highlight the familiar feeling among teenagers who use drugs of not fitting in with their peers. They share their own experiences of seeking acceptance through substance use. They discuss how teenagers may gravitate towards new friends who are also using drugs, leading to a shift in social circles. April shares her son Max's journey of trading athletic friends for those involved in substance use.

Drawing from personal experiences, Matt and Ryan discuss the legal troubles that often accompany drug use among teenagers. They discuss the importance of recognizing legal issues as a potential indicator of substance abuse.

Timestamps with Discussions:

16:15 - 16:59 Introduction: 

April Rhodes joins the conversation, bringing her firsthand experience of losing her son to a fentanyl overdose.

17:14 - 17:21  Emotional Impact

Ryan shares his emotional response to having a mother discuss the loss of her son, reflecting on the profound impact of April's story.

17:21 - 18:31  Coping with Loss

April opens up about her grief journey and her determination to advocate for awareness and support for parents facing similar tragedies. She highlights the pain of losing a child to a drug overdose and her resolve to take action.

18:48 - 21:15  Advocacy Efforts 

April discusses her involvement with organizations like "Winning the Fight" and her decision to dedicate herself full-time to raising awareness about substance abuse and its consequences.

21:25 - 23:31 Max's Story

April shares intimate details about her son Max's upbringing, revealing his struggles with abandonment issues and his eventual descent into drug addiction.

23:54 - 27:00 Recognizing the Signs 

April recounts the pivotal moments when she realized Max had a drug problem, including changes in his behavior, social circle, and legal issues. She reflects on the challenges of confronting a loved one's addiction.

27:17 - 28:10  Heartbreaking Moments

April recounts the harrowing experience of witnessing Max's suffering during detox and her confrontation with his drug dealer, underscoring the devastating impact of addiction on families.

29:02 - 31:56 Lessons Learned 

April reflects on the signs she missed and the importance of self-care in coping with the trauma of losing a child to addiction. She emphasizes the need for parents to prioritize their well-being while supporting their loved ones through recovery.

Resources: 

Social Media: Instagram / Twitter @sobriety_pod

AA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetings

Virtual NA Meetings: virtual-na.org

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)

Al-Anon Support: Al-Anon.org

Mentioned by April: 

wtf-winningthefight.org

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