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.

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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/)