Jared Shaw's Journey: From Pain Pill Addiction to Recovery Strong
Recovery, strong to me, is just the way we live. Admitting your shortcomings, being honest with yourself, that's a tough one. Recovery is possible, and you're living proof of that.
Imagine finding your identity in a large family, only to stumble into the dark world of addiction. That's exactly what happened to Jared Shaw. Growing up, he struggled with fitting in and turned to underage drinking, which led to serious consequences. But it didn't stop there. During his senior year, Jared discovered he could get away with abusing pain pills, and soon enough, he found himself addicted to Oxycontin.
This addiction began to unravel everything he had worked for as a young college student at Utah State University. Jared's story is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from achieving two years of sobriety to relapsing after his grandfather's death and hitting rock bottom with early onset liver failure. However, out of the ashes rose 'Recovery Strong', a testament to his resilience and dedication to helping others.
In this episode of Project Recovery, Jared opens up about the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction and empowering loved ones to talk about it without shame. He also sheds light on the subtle predispositions towards addiction that can manifest in other areas of life and how to overcome them. His story underscores the power of self-concept and validation in building a life of recovery and strength.
As Jared puts it, 'Recovery, strong to me, is just the way we live. Admitting your shortcomings, being honest with yourself, that's a tough one.' Tune in to hear Jared's inspiring journey and find hope in his words.