Over 300 People Die Every Day From Overdoses… Here’s Why

In episode 52 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ahmad Hussain, founder and CEO of DEFENT, breaks down the harsh reality of the fentanyl epidemic and the truth behind the rising death toll. He shares what drives his mission to create an all-in-one fentanyl detection device and why urgent action is needed to address this national crisis.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.DEFENT Links |Website | https://defent.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/defentofficialTiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@defentofficialChapters |00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction01:00 What is Defend? The All-in-One Solution03:00 Challenges with Traditional Fentanyl Test Strips05:00 Harm Reduction and Its Stigma09:00 Who Needs Harm Reduction? Breaking Stereotypes13:00 Personal Motivation: The Opioid Crisis17:00 Rising Fentanyl Deaths and Underlying Causes21:00 Why Fentanyl Is Everywhere: Economics & Supply Chains25:00 Strategy: Disrupting Drug Supply from the Bottom Up29:00 Limitations of Testing for Chronic Users33:00 Public Funding and Making Testing Accessible35:00 Addiction, Mental Health & Social Stigma39:00 Early Education and Honest Communication43:00 Myths About Fentanyl Risk and Consumer Attitudes46:00 Community Reporting and Real-Life Impact49:00 How the Device Works: All-in-One Explained53:00 Barriers to Adoption & Market Challenges57:00 Schools, Narcan, and Preventative Measures01:00:00 Xylazine, Nitazines, and Changing Drug Risks01:03:00 The Future of Harm Reduction01:07:00 Key Takeaways: Test Your SubstancesFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 51 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Garet McLendon to share his powerful story of addiction, trauma, and recovery. In this episode, he opens up about the struggles that led him down a destructive path, the turning points that forced change, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. From hard truths about relapse to finding purpose in sobriety, Garet gives raw insight into the realities of overcoming addiction and breaking the stigma around mental health.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:50 Garrett's Sobriety Journey02:03 Life Today & Daily Routine03:10 Finding Balance in Recovery06:07 Early Life and Childhood Memories07:13 Family, Addiction and Early Exposure10:25 First Experiences With Substances11:01 Escalation and Living With Addiction14:10 Turning to Selling Drugs & Crime17:08 Life on the Streets and Prison21:19 Chaos, Paranoia, and Survival26:41 Addiction Deepens and Losing Hope32:41 Isolation and the Breaking Point36:46 Hitting Rock Bottom and Treatment41:12 First Steps to Recovery45:46 Staying Engaged and Active in Recovery50:01 Life Lessons and Growth in Sobriety54:08 Advice and Message for Those Struggling59:01 Closing Thoughts and GratitudeFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 50 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Faust Castellanos, who shares a powerful and deeply vulnerable conversation about trauma, addiction, faith, and recovery. Known for his appearance on Soft White Underbelly and several other podcasts, as well as his work as a pastor, clinical therapist, and founder of a peptide company, Fausto opens up about the sexual abuse he endured during his adolescent years and how that unresolved trauma led him to drugs and alcohol at just 14 years old. He shares candidly about overdoses, traumatic experiences, and hitting rock bottom in his early twenties before finally choosing sobriety and rebuilding his life from the ground up. Now thriving in recovery and helping others through faith, therapy, and entrepreneurship, Fausto explains why sharing his story publicly has been one of the most empowering and healing experiences of his life. This episode dives deep into childhood trauma, substance abuse, overcoming shame, getting sober, faith based healing, and what it truly means to transform pain into purpose.Chapters |00:00 Intro & Purpose of the Podcast01:00 Meet Foster: Therapist, Influencer, Speaker02:00 Motivation & Overcoming Adversity04:00 Early Life: Trauma, Addiction, and Pain07:30 Alcohol, Drugs & Escaping Anxieties12:00 Teen Addiction & Spiraling Out18:00 Progression of Substances & Deepening Struggles22:00 Narcissistic Abuse Explained26:00 Rock Bottom: Overdoses & Seizures29:00 Attempts at Normalcy & Cycles of Toxic Relationships34:30 Escalation: Heavier Use & Isolation38:00 Reaching Out for Help & First Spiritual Experience41:00 Entering Recovery: AA, Social Media & Vulnerability46:00 Religion, Spirituality, and Recovery55:00 Overcoming Trauma: Forgiveness & Growth01:00:00 Addiction as a Disease and Relapse01:02:00 Final Thoughts on Recovery and Resilience01:03:00 Outro: Reflections and GratitudeFollow us! IInstagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 49 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Michael Lynch and Dr. Kenny Clark as they return to announce the launch of their new podcast, Solo and Doc, and have a powerful conversation about rebuilding in recovery after losing everything to addiction. We talk about what it felt like to be absent fathers during active addiction and how they worked to repair and rebuild those relationships in sobriety. Dr. Kenny shares an honest look into the inner workings of his relapses, while we also dive into how trauma impacts addiction, the grief of losing friends to substance use, and what it truly takes to heal. This is a raw and real conversation about accountability, fatherhood, relapse, and hope in recovery that you do not want to miss.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Solo & Doc Links!Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@soloanddocInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/soloanddocTiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@soloanddocFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/soloanddoc/Chapters |00:00 Introductions & Podcast Origins01:05 Discussing Recovery & Addiction as a Disease03:00 Personal Stories of Addiction and Family Impact09:17 Rebuilding Family Relationships in Recovery12:00 Trauma, Addiction, and Personal Growth18:00 Defining Trauma & Its Effects28:00 Relapse: Understanding the Process35:30 Emotional States and Relapse Triggers43:00 Importance of Community in Recovery47:00 Restarting Recovery After Setbacks54:30 Transforming Loss into Purpose01:00:00 Closing Thoughts & Next StepsOur mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, felon, disease#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 48 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Rich Bishop, who shares his journey through addiction and mental health struggles. From drinking alcohol at just two years old to later turning to opiates and other hard substances, Rich explains how he spent most of his life searching for escape. He also opens up about the devastating loss of his father, who battled severe mental health issues and agoraphobia before dying by suicide. As Rich’s addiction escalated and led to homelessness, he somehow found his way to rehab and has remained sober since his first time in treatment. In this honest conversation about trauma, substance abuse, grief, and recovery, Rich reveals what truly helped him get sober and stay sober, offering hope to anyone struggling with addiction and mental health.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Introductions & Backgrounds01:07 Shared Treatment History & Podcast Goals01:14 Rich's Early Life and Family Struggles02:21 Impact of Agoraphobia & Parental Mental Health03:51 Coping with Trauma and Loss05:11 Early Substance Use and Addictive Patterns06:40 Teenage Years: Escalating Addiction08:31 Addiction as a Coping Mechanism09:59 High Functioning Addiction & Escaping Consequences15:35 Progression Through Substances & Life Events20:23 Poverty, Relationships, and Rock Bottom26:27 The Moment of Asking for Help29:14 Treatment Experience & Malibu32:28 Building Connections in Recovery36:47 Spirituality and Faith in Recovery40:07 Letting Go of Materialism & Comfort Zones43:04 Growth Through Uncomfortable Experiences45:05 Owning the Addict Label & Redefining Self47:01 Power of Connection Over Isolation48:49 Friendship, Honesty & Overcoming Loneliness51:20 Is Addiction a Disease?52:41 Challenging Stigma & Addiction in All Walks of Life54:54 Addiction Doesn't Discriminate – Final MessagesFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 47 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez welcomes back Santana Dawson for the third time for an honest conversation about change, healing, and what it really takes to grow. Together, they unpack the fear of change and how trauma shapes our present behaviors, relationships, and mindset. They dive deep into how our parents and childhood experiences impact who we become, how we respond to stress, and how we navigate mental health and addiction recovery. Laisha and Santana also speak vulnerably about surviving suicide attempts, reaching four years of recovery, and what it looks like to rebuild a life after rock bottom. This episode explores breaking generational cycles, overcoming trauma, facing the fear of growth, and the power of sharing your story to help the next person struggling. If you’re navigating healing, sobriety, mental health challenges, or learning how to embrace change without losing yourself, this conversation will remind you that transformation is possible and your story has purpose.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Intro to F the Stigma01:01 Reuniting & Reflections on Past Milestones03:00 Personal Growth After Sobriety05:00 Owning Your Story vs. Society’s Labels08:30 Stigma, Labels, and Stereotypes12:00 Expectations from Others – Family, Guilt & Shame15:00 Childhood, Fear, and How We Learn to Cope18:00 Addiction Beyond Substances: Codependency & Loneliness22:00 Confronting Old Memories & Breaking Cycles26:00 Strangers vs. Family: Acceptance on the Recovery Journey29:00 Purpose, Fulfillment, and the Search for Meaning33:00 Radical Optimism & Embracing Life’s Duality36:30 Living in the Gray: Extremes, Emotions & Self-Balance41:00 Change, Control & Learning to Adapt45:00 Goals, Vision Boards & The Power of Writing Things Down51:00 Paper, Ink & Manifesting Your Growth53:00 Connection, Spontaneity & The Power of Small Acts55:00 Reflections, Goodbyes & What’s NextFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 46 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Jeff, who shares his story of addiction, crime, and recovery, opening up about how growing up without a father figure and coming from a troubled family became his excuse for using drugs. He talks about how substance use within his family normalized addiction and led him down a path of criminal behavior, repeated prison time, and years stuck in the cycle of incarceration. Jeff reflects on the turning point that forced him to take accountability, break free from addiction, and leave the criminal lifestyle behind. Now four years in recovery, he shares how he rebuilt his life, found purpose, and proves that long-term recovery is possible after years of crime, prison, and substance use.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Podcast Mission01:14 Introducing Geeoff: Background & Early Life02:40 Childhood Struggles & First Encounters with Addiction05:08 Starting Substance Use as a Teen08:05 Escalation: Crime, Jail, and Addiction Deepening11:57 Living with Addiction: Violence, Jail Time & Consequences16:36 Rock Bottom: Bank Robbery & Family Descent23:31 Jail Time, Attempts at Recovery, and Relapse28:00 The Turning Point: Last High & Entering Recovery33:09 Sobriety Journey: Recovery Houses & New Beginnings37:34 Family, Fatherhood & Life Changes42:54 Life Today: Simplicity, Fear, and Values47:15 Stepchildren, New Family Roles & Reflections50:00 Faith, Baptism, and Spiritual Growth51:32 Losing My Brother: Grief, Guilt, and Tough Love58:37 Turning Pain into Purpose: Foundations & Giving Back01:03:20 Understanding Addiction & Breaking the Stigma01:09:28 Recovery, New Perspectives & Lived Experience01:13:40 Lessons Learned & The Power of Real Experience01:15:06 Concluding Thoughts & Inspirational MessageFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 45 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Malik Keene, discussing his journey from active addiction to long-term recovery. Malik opens up about quitting drugs and alcohol, walking away from the drug dealer lifestyle, and confronting a gambling addiction that deeply impacted every area of his life. He shares how multiple DUIs and compulsive gambling became major turning points, forcing him to face the consequences of addiction and ultimately choose sobriety. Now dedicated to helping others, Malik explains how he transformed his lived experience into purpose and became a sobriety coach, supporting individuals seeking recovery from substance use, gambling, and other addictive behaviors. This episode offers an honest conversation about addiction, accountability, mental health, and what real recovery looks like beyond just quitting substances.Malik's Links! |Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/3901295416779134Book A Screening Call - https://calendly.com/malik-malikkeene/screening-callMalik's Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVQ6M2TRDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Podcast Mission01:13 Introducing Malik’s Recovery Journey03:30 Addiction Timeline & Early Struggles06:40 Middle School Trauma & Search for Belonging13:00 High School Years: Experimentation & Party Lifestyle17:00 First Experience with Addiction Consequences22:00 Escalation in College: Drugs, Gambling, and Dealing29:00 Understanding Gambling & Its Risks36:00 Rock Bottom Moments: Violence, DUIs, and Crisis47:00 Cycle of Addiction: Guilt, Relapse, and Denial01:00:00 Spiritual Turning Point & Seeking Help01:04:00 Key Relationships & the Path to Surrender01:09:00 Checking Into Rehab & Embracing Recovery01:18:00 Transformation, Faith, and Life After Addiction01:25:00 Debating Identity: 'Once an Addict, Always an Addict?'01:32:00 Multiple Pathways to Recovery & Breaking the Stigma01:36:00 Supporting Others, Resources & Final ThoughtsFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In episode 44 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Travis Shields, who shares an honest conversation about addiction, grief, and recovery after more than a decade of active drug and alcohol use. Travis opens up about surviving the loss of a close friend, the survivor’s guilt that followed, and how that pain drove him deeper into substance use. He also reflects on losing multiple friends to addiction, struggling to identify and process emotions, and the long internal work required to heal. This episode dives deep into the inner workings of addiction in the mind, the emotional impact of grief, and what recovery really looks like beyond sobriety.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us!Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In episode 43 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ryan Ead, sharing his raw and unfiltered story of mental health struggles and addiction that began at a young age. After years of misbehavior and substance use, Ryan’s parents had him kidnapped and sent to a wilderness program in the Utah desert, where he was forced to survive for three months. Instead of helping, the experience fueled anger and rebellion, pushing Ryan deeper into addiction. As the opioid epidemic took hold, he began doctor shopping, spiraling into heroin addiction and eventually hitting rock bottom in prison. It was there, at his lowest point, that Ryan made the decision to get sober. This episode explores trauma, addiction, the troubled teen industry, the opioid crisis, incarceration, and the long road to recovery, while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Breaking the Stigma01:00 Childhood, Family, and Early Influences03:40 Addiction and Its Deeper Roots07:00 Coping with Trauma and Finding Outlets11:00 School Struggles and Early Substance Use17:00 Escalation: Drugs, Crime, and Identity26:00 Being Sent Away: Utah Desert & Boarding School34:00 Returning Home and Deepening Addiction39:50 Cycle of Jail, Addiction, and Starting Over45:00 Rock Bottom, Solitary, and a Turning Point49:00 The Importance of Intent and Recovery53:00 Giving Back: Recovery, Purpose, and Service56:00 Finding Connection & Overcoming Stigma58:00 Mindset in Addiction & Final ThoughtsOur mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness