How I Started Using Dilaudid With My Dad… Then Fentanyl Took Over | Ep 224
Summary
Lauren shares her journey from childhood trauma and a stable nursing career to severe opioid addiction, which began when her father, a nurse manager, supplied her with diverted pain medication. After his arrest ended their supply, she relapsed into street fentanyl, leading to a violent sexual assault and life-threatening injuries that forced her to confront the depth of her addiction. The episode explores the complex dynamics of familial addiction, the failure of initial detox efforts, and the profound impact of trauma on her path toward recovery.
Topics discussed
Intro, sponsor reads, and how to support the podcast
Guest background: childhood, family dynamics, and blindness
Family trauma: suicide, divorce, and stepmom conflicts
Teenage rebellion and the foot injury that started it
Prescription pain pills and the first addiction spiral
Nurse father's role and the first major relapse
Marriage, hiding addiction, and the Hawaii incident
First detox attempt and the fentanyl relapse
The assault, car accident, and near-death experience
Second detox, job loss, and the 72-hour hold
Workplace drug test failure and mental health crisis
Entering treatment: conflict with the facility director
Recovery milestones and the daughter's impact
Rebuilding trust, sobriety, and finding purpose in recovery
Career transition to addiction counseling and final thoughts
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