I survived fourteen overdoses, a fentanyl addiction, and the darkest years of my life — and now I’m turning my pain into purpose. I grew up with addiction in my home, but I never imagined substance use disorder would become part of my own story. After years of untreated mental health struggles and the trauma of my 17 year old daughter nearly being murdered, I fell into a nearly six year fentanyl addiction. I used intravenously, overdosed around fourteen times, and was Narcaned more times than I can count. Eventually, the anger and exhaustion hit me so hard that I finally realized I wanted help — and I wanted to live.

Recovery took multiple detoxes, rehab stays, and legal consequences. But one obstacle followed me every time: finding someone to care for my dog while I was in treatment. I couldn’t focus on healing because I was terrified of  ...