Garrett Hade’s addiction story is a common one. He talks about his typical upbringing in southern Florida and how he became addicted to pain pills after skateboarding injuries and a car accident. As someone in long-term recovery, Garrett uses his voice to reshape how Americans think of recovery by turning addiction into advocacy.

Living in sober housing led Garrett and his friend, Ryan Hampton, into advocacy efforts to address gaps and push for legislative solutions. Garrett is the co-founder of the Voices Project and organizing lead for the Recovery Advocacy Project.