Transforming Grief Into Purpose: Matt Fischer is Saving Kids from Addiction

In this conversation, Matt shares his journey of coping with the loss of his son and his mission to help other families facing similar struggles. The discussion covers the signs of addiction, the role of parents, the impact of grief, and the importance of community support in recovery.  

 Key Takeaways

💡Matt Fischer established the Evan Fischer Foundation after losing his 21-year-old son Evan to a heroin overdose on Thanksgiving Day 14 years ago.

💡He has personally helped approximately 700 children and young people overcome addiction through a model based on unconditional love and relational healing.

💡Drug overdose deaths have increased dramatically, from 3.2 deaths per 100,000 people when Evan died to 32.6 per 100,000 in 2022 (a 147% increase).

💡Signs of addiction can be subtle and progressive, with many parents not recognizing the warning signs until the situation becomes critical.

💡The foundation of recovery is human connection - "human beings heal each other" through unconditional love and support.

💡Matt works with approximately 50 young people at any given time, meeting them personally and following up to ensure their continued recovery.

💡Fentanyl has created an unprecedented crisis, with 70% of the young people Matt meets having recently survived fentanyl overdoses.

💡Parents can unwittingly become "master enablers" by not setting boundaries or failing to recognize signs of addiction.

 

 Compelling Quotes

🎤"Human beings heal each other. That is why we're here. And that's the gift I got from my son."

🎤"It's not what happens to you in life. It's what you choose to do about it."

🎤"Addiction is a lifelong disease. It lasts for your entire life. So you have to change your life and become empowered yourself."

🎤"Be here now... life is meant to be felt."

🎤"The message I got just looking at my son's body was, 'Hey dad, no one wants to go through this. You can do something.'"

🎤"I'm always working with at least around 50 people at a time... and I'm trying to keep them going."

🎤"You're not renting sobriety. Nobody can take it away from you. You're your own self-reliant human being."

 

Keywords

✅addiction recovery ✅teen drug addiction ✅fentanyl crisis ✅overdose prevention ✅parenting addicted teen ✅substance abuse help ✅addiction intervention ✅addiction support ✅grief transformation ✅purpose after loss ✅drug addiction signs ✅enabling behavior ✅recovery foundation ✅addiction treatment

 

Hashtags

#AddictionRecovery #TeenAddiction #FentanylCrisis #OverdosePrevention #ParentingHelp #SubstanceAbuse #GriefToGood #PurposeAfterLoss #RecoveryJourney #AddictionSupport #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingTeens #DrugEducation #HealingTrauma

  

🌟Links

• Evan Fischer Foundation Memorial Fund
• Stephen Fischer, Nature Photographer

 

🙏 -Thanks to

Disclaimer:

***The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.***

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

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