Meet my friend, Jeff. Jeff works for a local power utility company in Central Indiana as a lineman, and he’s great at his job. Outside of work, Jeff is a loving husband and dad, a regular volunteer for his church’s food pantry, and a little-league soccer coach. His friends and neighbors all speak highly of him, typically describing him as “one of the nicest dudes I’ve ever met.”
Recently at work, Jeff was cranking to tighten a loose connection and tweaked his lower back. He felt shooting pain radiate up through his neck and down to his ankles. He managed to finish his shift, then drove himself to urgent care.
At the clinic, they x-rayed his back, which showed a slipped disc. He was referred to a spine specialist who gave him two options: physical therapy and cortisone shots, or surgery. Jeff opted to avoid surgery. He did his best in PT, but the pain would not subside. It started to affect his work ability, his mood, and his relationships. He could no longer stand long periods of time and had to shift away from physical responsibilities. Jeff’s temper started to flare with his kids. He felt depressed that he could not perform at the same level he used to, and he was anxious of worsening the injury.
After 4 months of chronic pain and emotional symptoms, it became apparent that surgery was the only option. That autumn, the surgery was mostly successful. The post-op doctor prescribed him Oxycodone to help manage the severe pain of healing from the surgery. The painkiller was effective at not only easing his physical pain, but also at easing his negative emotions. His prescription was for 30 days, with the option of a refill dependent upon a follow-up visit with the doctor. He eagerly opted for the refill, and was becoming dependent on the pain medication, which quickly took priority in his day-to-day living.
After the refill was utilized, his only way of getting additional Oxycodone was illegally. He felt like he didn’t just need it to escape the pain – he needed it to survive. Obtaining more pills became obsessive, leading Jeff to miss soccer games, to become dishonest with his wife, and to spend more time and money than he ever intended. After two months, things were out of control. He felt trapped and hopeless.
One night, Jeff took what he thought was an Oxycodone pill that he had just purchased from his dealer. Unbeknownst to him, it was laced with the dangerous synthetic opioid, fentanyl. Within less than 20 minutes, Jeff’s body went into a state of drug-poisoning overdose. Thankfully, his wife found him unconscious in the bathroom, called 9-1-1, and the paramedics were able to revive him with naloxone. Jeff nearly died that night.
After a brief hospital stay to detox, Jeff was referred to an inpatient substance use treatment facility for 28 days. His near-death experience unlocked a new level of self-awareness and motivation in him. He committed to his treatment plan, engaged in the therapy sessions, made a plan to continue his treatment long-term, and planned to join a Narcotic’s Anonymous group that met at his church. Jeff knew he needed help, and that these new supportive connections would be the only true way to find healing.
Jeff has been sober for 6 years now and is practicing a lifestyle of long-term recovery. He continues to stay connected in NA, and now serves as a sponsor for other new members to the group. His employer welcomed him back to the company following his treatment in an administrative role. Jeff still has occasional cravings from time to time, but he now has the social and emotional support to work through these feelings and urges in a healthy way. He now regularly exercises and journals his thoughts at the end of every day. He has returned to his previous volunteer roles with the food pantry and the soccer league, and his relationships with his wife and kids are even healthier than before.
September is National Recovery Month – and we are celebrating all month long that recovery is possible! If you or someone you know is currently in the grips of active addiction, please know that you/they are not alone. The Willow Center can help, and there is no shame in reaching out. Please call us at 317-852-3690.
-Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
