Episode 1121: He Overdosed & Died Twice - The Jonah Oxley InterviewEpisode 1121: He Overdosed & Died Twice - The Jonah Oxley Interview
Take 12 Recovery Radio
HE OVERDOSED AND DIED TWICE. Jonah Oxley Team Lead & Outreach Coordinator for RestoredConnect...
1:02:00•10 Aug 2026
He Overdosed and Died Twice: The Gritty Recovery Story of Jonah Oxley
Episode Overview
- Hitting a medical rock bottom – even being pronounced dead – doesn’t always equal emotional rock bottom or instant recovery.
- Peer support and lived experience can bridge the gap between detox, housing, court systems and long-term sobriety.
- Carrying naloxone and knowing how to use it can save lives, regardless of whether you personally use substances.
- Recovery often needs more than meetings alone, including help with housing, employment, trauma and emotional sobriety.
- Community and organisational collaboration, rather than staying in separate “bubbles”, strengthens support for people seeking recovery.
“Twelve hours later, I died from an overdose… I was pronounced dead. I woke up in Riverbend. Five doses of Narcan.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and drugs after literally dying twice? Take 12 Recovery Radio brings that question right into focus with the story of guest Jonah Oxley, shared in an honest, down-to-earth chat with host Monty “the Monty’man” Meyer.
This faith-based, Twelve Step–focused show blends humour, straight talk and a touch of old-school radio silliness – including a segment on “silly things” heard in meetings like “you’ve got to want it to get it” and “keep it green”. Monty pushes back on the idea that people must be ready before getting help, warning that waiting for someone to "want it" might leave you as a pallbearer instead. Jonah’s story is at the heart of the episode.
He talks about untreated trauma, losing his mum while in prison, years of addiction, and the moment he says, “12 hours later, I died from an overdose… I was pronounced dead. I woke up in Riverbend. Five doses of Narcan.” Even that near-death experience wasn’t his emotional rock bottom; it took a failed suicide attempt and a blunt message from his children’s mum to finally push him towards real change.
From there, you’ll hear how peer mentors, a compassionate probation officer and recovery housing helped Jonah rebuild his life. Now team lead and outreach coordinator at Restored Connections Peer Center in Eugene, Oregon, he supports others through peer services, housing links, detox access, outreach bags and overdose reversal training. The episode also highlights Overdose Awareness Month, the upcoming community walk, and why carrying naloxone matters, even if you don’t use drugs yourself.
It’s aimed at anyone affected by addiction – people in recovery, families, faith communities and professionals – who want real stories, practical hope and a reminder that connection beats stigma every time. If you’ve ever wondered whether peer support and community outreach make a real difference, this one may stay with you long after it ends.
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