257 Odyssey House Journals - Kim257 Odyssey House Journals - Kim
Odyssey House Journals
Kim shares how years of pain pill and heroin use affected her family, and how her son’s firm boundary and support led her into treatment. She talks about shame, stigma, and the relief of finally getting to know herself again as she aims to be a sober, present grandma.
30:00•14 Aug 2026
Kim’s Second Chance: From Heroin Use to Sober Grandma Goals
Episode Overview
- Family boundaries, like "treatment or no relationship," can push change when paired with genuine support.
- Prescription pain pills can quietly lead to long-term opioid and heroin use, especially when access is easy and unchecked.
- Shame and stigma from professionals can stop people from seeking urgent medical help.
- Inpatient treatment may be the better option for those who feel outpatient support will not be enough.
- Open, patient conversations and practical help into treatment can be more effective than simply telling someone to stop using.
“"I took one hit of heroin, and that was it... I was like, wow, I'm good for a while."”
What remarkable journeys have people faced head-on against addiction? This conversation with Kim, a 51-year-old grandma, offers a raw yet hopeful look at long-term heroin and opioid use, and what it takes to finally say, "I'm done." The episode opens with a chat about rising marijuana use, then shifts into Kim’s story.
She talks candidly about growing up with a strict mum, losing her dad to cirrhosis, and how prescribed pain pills slid into heroin use: one hit to “get well,” then years of chasing just enough to avoid being sick. She jokes about thinking she was hiding her use, while knowing “everybody else knew you were probably doing it,” capturing that familiar denial many in addiction will recognise.
A huge emotional moment comes when Kim shares the boundary her son set: treatment or no relationship with his family. Instead of walking away, he backed it up with practical support, researching options and helping her get into Odyssey House. Kim explains, “I really need an inpatient,” and her son’s response – “I love the fact that you know what you need” – highlights how family can support recovery without enabling.
Kim describes withdrawal, stigma from medical staff, and the shame that kept her stuck.
Yet the heart of the episode is her joy at sobriety: reading honest letters from family, wanting to be “a sober grandma,” and saying, “it’s pretty cool getting to know me again.” She stresses patience and compassion for families of people who use, urging them to have real conversations instead of just saying, “you need to stop.” This one’s especially helpful if you’re a parent, partner, or grandparent caught in the push–pull of love, fear, and boundaries around addiction.
Could Kim’s story be the nudge you or someone you love needs today?
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