I don't have a substance use disorder.
I don't pretend to know what it's like for those who do or the families and friends that love someone with a substance use disorder. But I've lived my life and experienced it as someone who is free of drugs, and I've been learning as much as possible to be educated.
The hero in this story and the heroes throughout the series are in recovery, having gone through different experiences with substance abuse and addiction.
I was inspired to write this when I interviewed people on their journeys of recovery for a newspaper series. I learned so much from them about life, the realities of their struggles, and the power of faith and hoped as they struggled with addiction and recovery. I've weaved their words, thoughts, and emotions into the series.
Please note that this book, this series, doesn't begin to cover the hundreds of recovery journeys, what it's like to be a part of the recovery community, or suffer with those in the throes of addiction, nor does this in any way speak for them.