Andie: From “A Junkie and a Fiend” to Hosting Harm Reduction/Recovery Groups

Trigger warning: death by overdose, brief mention of suicidal thoughts.

Check out Andie's support group! email [e-mail] for the link

 

Andie's life started in a family with everyone in various degrees of neurodivergence and addiction. They began as many of us do, with stealing beer out of a friend's parent's garage fridge. Soon they got in legal trouble from bringing alcohol to school. They and their brother both proceeded to escalate their drug and alcohol use, although things went of the deep end much more quickly for their brother. After high school they found traveling community and started riding trains and hitchhiking. When Andie was 18 their brother died from an overdose and they chose to self-medicate their grief by learning to use IV drugs. Selling drugs allowed them to have a constant supply. When things with their mental health got out of control, they decided to ask for help, and the therapist suggested inpatient treatment. They thrived in this environment, and after a couple of hiccups, found lasting recovery. Andie has been hosting an online punk/harm reduction/recovery group for the past 3 years.

 

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