KAYLAN | Brighton, CO

I let him know that he had my love and support when he was ready to get treatment.

I am Kaylan. My husband, Timothy, was a paratrooper in Iraq, and he was overprescribed opioids by his Army doctors after knee surgery. The opioids helped with the physical pain, but he continued taking the pills because they also numbed his emotional pain. It got so bad that he needed to take them just to get out of bed.
For so long, I was only focused on helping him with his opioid addiction, but at some point, I realised that I needed to prioritise taking care of myself and our daughter. So, I took her and moved in with my parents, but I let him know that he had my love and support when he was ready to get treatment.

One day he called me, out of opioids and in terrible pain from withdrawal, and told me he was considering suicide. I got him admitted to the VA hospital, and he was put on a treatment plan that combined Suboxone with outpatient therapy. During his recovery, we both joined support groups at our church, where we have a shame-free support system and now know that we are not alone. The support groups at our church have been an incredible source of strength for both of us. We have met others who have battled addiction and come out on the other side, living proof that recovery is possible. Sharing our stories and experiences with people who truly understand has been cathartic and empowering. It has helped us realize that we are not defined by our past mistakes, but rather by our courage and determination to rebuild our lives. Together, we have found solace in the company of others who have faced similar struggles, and we have formed deep connections that provide unwavering support on this journey to recovery