A Mother's Unyielding Love: Geri's Fight for Her Son Greg
Episode Overview
Addiction as a physical disease affecting the brain Challenging misconceptions and stigmas surrounding addiction The profound impact of addiction on the entire family The resilience and unwavering love of a mother The need for greater understanding and support for those battling addiction and mental health issues
Addiction is like cancer. It is a physical disease, not a mental. It works on a certain area in your brain and people don't understand that. That is a misconception. They don't want to believe that. They want to just believe that we're people who just want to get high or we just want to drink. It could not be further from the truth.
Imagine the agony of performing CPR on your own child not once, but five times. In this deeply moving episode of 'Remember Your Why', Kristen speaks with her Aunt Geri about her son Greg's relentless battle with drug addiction. Greg's struggle began innocently enough at 15 with marijuana, but quickly escalated to heroin and fentanyl, leading to numerous overdoses and near-death experiences. Despite countless stints in institutions, jails, and rehabs, Greg found himself trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction.
Geri recounts the heart-wrenching moments of trying to save her son's life, each time hoping it would be the last. She candidly discusses the toll Greg's addiction has taken on their family, highlighting the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes with loving someone who is battling such a formidable enemy. Geri's story is one of unwavering love and resilience. She shares her determination to never give up on Greg, despite the many setbacks.
This episode sheds light on the interconnectedness of addiction and mental health, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding. It's a raw and honest conversation that challenges stigmas and offers hope to families facing similar struggles. Tune in to hear Geri's powerful story and gain a deeper understanding of the realities of addiction.