“She had the life that I wanted,” said Starlene, a Germantown resident who calls her sister her “hero.” "She showed me what recovery was all about." Initially, Starlene resisted seeking recovery help, but despite her reluctance, her sister never gave up on her. “She would leave information about recovery everywhere, in my pockets, on the table, on my wallet. When I was ready and needed it, it was there for me to find.” After a harrowing experience involving crack, alcohol, and weed, Starlene suffered a stroke that left her unable [...]

In the world of addiction recovery, stories of hope and transformation are precious. The story of Jodi, 59, and Derrick, 60, who found love and a new purpose in rehab, is one of those stories. They shared their experience to let Philadelphians that there is hope in recovery. "We met in rehab," Jodi recalls, a smile in her voice. For her, it was her final rehab stay: “I had been in every rehab and detox in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas maybe five times, starting at age 18." Her last [...]

Steward, a 77-year-old Philadelphian, is a fixture in Rittenhouse Park. A stroll with him is never just a walk; it's a social event. At every turn, he chats with neighbors and friends. His jokes have perfect Philadelphian timing, and he laughs with ease. Steward’s compassionate nature stems from decades of personal recovery and from helping others overcome substance abuse. His journey offers insights for people struggling with substance abuse or concerned about a loved one using opioids. At 17, Steward began injecting heroin. His first overdose took place in his [...]

John, a 73-year-old man, lives a comfortable family life in one of Philly’s great neighborhoods. He is healthy, funny, loves the Eagles and Italian restaurants. His neighbors appreciate his willingness to help and love chatting with him when he walks his dog. But John didn’t always live this way. His long-healed injection scars tell the story of his recovery. “I started using heroin as a teenager in the 1960s,” John said. The high helped him avoid stressors. “I didn’t need to care about anything. It made me feel calm in [...]