From under
the influence
to influencer
Speaker on substance use prevention
ABOUT ME
My mission: to fight against the stigma towards drug addicts and people suffering from mental health disorders by sharing my own experiences of homelessness.
Even after 9 years of sobriety, I am still subject to stigma for having experienced a period of homelessness and excessive substance use. Insurance companies, in particular, still consider me to be too high a risk to insure. Indeed, only 2% of addicts manage to stay sober after a detox program. Additionally, some people refuse to believe my story because I now have a pleasant appearance and can express myself eloquently. Some educational institution officials reject my services as a speaker on the grounds that I don't have enough visible scars from my past and that this might encourage students to use drugs. However, I can testify that there is no definitive remission and that staying sober in a world where it is now socially acceptable to use certain drugs is a constant battle. Sobriety tastes much better!
BEFORE AFTER
