Reasons for Living

“Once you get into drugs your priorities really shift (Ryan, 30).”

In his Freshman year at college, Ryan joined the university baseball team as a star pitcher. However, a leg injury led to a prescription for pain medication. That prescription led to an opiate dependence which “snowballed” into a decade-long struggle with addiction.

Off and on, Ryan has struggled with drug use, getting clean and then relapsing again. Needle possession and other drug-related crimes landed him in County Jail. Drugs have also ended his passion for baseball: “Once my addiction started, there were no more sports.”

Ryan’s family is extremely supportive, and hope to see their son fulfill his dream of returning to college to complete a business degree.

Ryan offers this advice for teenagers: “Don’t follow the bad kids.”

               

*The names and photos have been altered to protect confidentiality, but these are true stories and direct quotes.