Casey Grover, MD, FACEP

Addiction Medicine Made Easy

Casey Grover, MD, FACEP, FASAM

  • How A Firefighter Went from Injecting Opioids to Sobriety and Fighting Stigma

How A Firefighter Went from Injecting Opioids to Sobriety and Fighting Stigma

Monday 23rd December 2024

Fire captain Evan Morgan shares his journey from opioid addiction to sobriety, highlighting the stigma faced by healthcare professionals.
47 minutes
Honest
Compassionate
Informative
Supportive
Engaging

About this podcast

Addiction Medicine Made Easy
Author:
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Rounded Button Dark
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!

From Firefighter to Survivor: Evan Morgan's Battle with Addiction

Episode Overview

  • Evan Morgan shares his journey from high school drug use to opioid addiction.
  • The impact of addiction on Evan's professional and personal life.
  • The emotional toll and deceit involved in hiding an addiction.
  • The role of arrest as a turning point in seeking help.
  • Importance of honesty, support systems, and community in recovery.
You would think at that point that you would think your life's over. But I swear to you, at that point, I felt this huge relief and weight off my chest because I thought I can get help now
In this episode of Addiction Medicine Made Easy, host Dr. Casey Grover welcomes Evan Morgan, a fire captain from Central California, who shares his gripping journey from addiction to sobriety. Evan’s story begins with a high school curiosity that spiraled into a dependency on prescription painkillers after a workplace injury. He opens up about the devastating impact of addiction on his professional and personal life, shedding light on the stigma healthcare professionals face when they battle addiction themselves.
Evan recounts the struggles of hiding his addiction from his colleagues and family, leading to a cycle of deceit and desperation. He describes how his addiction escalated from taking prescribed Vicodin to injecting opioids, all while maintaining his duties as a firefighter. His candid narrative reveals the emotional toll of addiction and the lengths he went to keep it hidden. A turning point in Evan’s story comes when he is arrested, which ironically brings him a sense of relief.
This moment marks the beginning of his recovery journey. With the support of his wife, his fire department, and a strong faith community, Evan navigates the challenging path to sobriety. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and support systems in overcoming addiction. Evan’s experience highlights the need for compassion and understanding towards those struggling with addiction, especially within the healthcare and emergency services sectors. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible with the right support and determination.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of addiction and the stigma surrounding it. Evan’s journey is not just about personal triumph but also about breaking down barriers and fostering empathy in professional environments. Tune in to hear how one man’s struggle became a mission to help others find their way to recovery.