Ashley Loeb Blassingame
ckimmich@lionrockrecovery.com (Christiana Kimmich, Ashley Loeb Blassingame, Chuck O)
Chuck O: Heroin, Homelessness, and Harm Reduction - How MAT Saved His Life
Chuck O: Heroin, Homelessness, and Harm Reduction - How MAT Saved His Life
Chuck O: Heroin, Homelessness, and Harm Reduction - How MAT Saved His Life
Tuesday 6th October 2020
Chuck O's journey from heroin addiction and homelessness to recovery through MAT is featured on 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast'.
Explicit
98 minutes
Hopeful
Inspiring
Informative
Authentic
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Ashley Loeb Blassingame
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
318 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Chuck O: From Heroin Addiction to Hope Through MAT
And the reality, in my experience, is, most people are like me. The reason alcoholics anonymous, specifically, is so important to me is if you walked up to me today and you said: hey, Chuck, I have a syringe full of really good cocaine and heroin.
Imagine being just 13 years old and already a ward of the state with a record of 70 felonies. That's where Chuck O's journey begins. Raised in Mesa, Arizona, Chuck found himself entangled in trouble from a young age. By 18, he had lived with other convicted felons and then joined the Grateful Dead tour, where his substance use skyrocketed.
This episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast' brings you Chuck's raw and powerful story of addiction, homelessness, and the path to recovery through medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Chuck's battle with heroin left him feeling hopeless, but MAT offered a lifeline. Using methadone, he began the difficult transition off heroin. He also embraced harm reduction practices, like obtaining clean needles, which played a crucial role in his journey.
Despite facing relapse and the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chuck found strength in virtual meetings and the support of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This episode doesn't shy away from the gritty realities of addiction. Chuck talks openly about breaking the stigma of being sober on MAT and shares his experience of doing a blind detox off Suboxone. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of love and redemption.
If you're looking for a tale that underscores the importance of harm reduction and the life-saving potential of MAT, Chuck's journey is one you won't want to miss.