Two Mothers, Two Sons, One Epidemic: Katrina Simmons & Kristi Kastler | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this deeply emotional and unforgettable episode, Katrina Simmons and Kristi Kastler open their hearts to share the devastating realities of losing their beloved sons, Dylan and Devan, to fentanyl and addiction. Katrina begins by recounting Dylan’s early years, the warmth of his personality, and the gradual unraveling of his life after moving away from home. She describes the torment of watching her son slip through her fingers despite desperate attempts to save him, the sleepless nights filled with fear, and the haunting phone call that confirmed her worst nightmare. Through immense grief, Katrina speaks of finding solace in faith—believing Dylan is finally at peace—and even hearing his voice in moments of prayer reminding her, “I took it too far, Mom.” Kristi then shares her journey as a mother fighting for Devan’s life, recalling how his addiction began when he was injected with heroin at just fifteen years old. She recounts the heartbreak of the night before his death, the helplessness of being turned away from treatment programs, and the emotional toll of watching her son battle a disease that consumed him. Together, these two mothers bring raw truth and humanity to the growing fentanyl epidemic, exposing the cracks in the system, the stigma families face, and the enduring pain of loss. Yet amid the heartbreak, their voices carry a message of faith, resilience, and love—a call to action for awareness, compassion, and change, and a testament to the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.

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Timestamps:
00:02:46 – Katrina Begins Telling Dylan’s Story
00:04:12 – The Double Suicide That Shattered Their Family
00:05:19 – Watching Dylan’s Life Spiral After Moving Away
00:08:12 – The Call That Confirmed Fentanyl Took Her Son
00:09:08 – Losing Herself Trying to Save Him
00:11:48 – The Day Dylan Passed Away
00:12:23 – Finding Faith and Accepting Dylan Is at Peace
00:18:09 – Hearing Dylan’s Voice Say “I Took It Too Far, Mom”
00:21:35 – The Fight to Get Him Help During the Fentanyl Era
00:22:26 – Remembering Their Final Beach Walk Together
00:28:59 – Kristy Begins Telling Devan’s Story
00:38:51 – Devan Is Injected with Heroin at Fifteen
00:41:06 – The Night Before Devan’s Death
00:43:14 – The Rehab That Couldn’t Take Him Back
00:51:00 – “Devan Hated Being an Addict But Loved Drugs”