Tiffany: The Darkest Days of Addiction, Fixing the Wreckage of the Past, Hope & Love in Recovery

#31:  In this episode, we talk to Tiffany Foster, who shares her beautifully raw, honest and awe-inspiring story.  Wisely advised in the infancy of her recovery to “speak even if your voice shakes,” Tiffany describes some of the darkest moments of her addiction, and how, against all odds, she built a life that she never expected to live. 

Content Warning: Mention of Suicidal ideation, Human Trafficking, IV drug use. 

A brief episode description could never do this conversation justice, but some topics we discuss are the following:

• Growing up between bars and 12 Step Rooms with her parents, and how she started to believe that people just do not get better,
• The pain of living on the street, being in and out of institutional facilities, and over 100 attempts at treatment,
• The moment she realized that she wanted to live, and the enormity of that single thought,
• The brave steps she took when she finally decided to embrace recovery, including going to jail voluntarily,
• The organizations and people who opened their arms to her and how much it meant to be seen,
• The evolution of her recovery over the years, and changes she had to make in her own healing journey when she became a professional in the recovery space,
• What her recovery, relationships, and mindset look like today.

As Tiffany says: 
Where there is breath, there is hope.  You are not broken. 

Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today.  

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.* 

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please dial 911.

• Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  Available 24/7
• Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line.  Available 24/7.
• Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through the NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7.
• Call or text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line.  Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of Substance Use Recovery.  Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

This resource was shared by Tiffany: If you are a woman in need of support in the New Hampshire or Massachusetts area, Jasmine Grace is an organization that may be able to help.  You can learn more at their website: https://www.jasminegrace.org/

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only.  This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by The Phoenix.  

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