Personal Stories - Addiction & Mental Health Resources

April 25, 2025

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7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas

Listen to the stories of Arkansans who have struggled with addiction and learn about the ongoing efforts across the state to tackle the challenges of opioid misuse and addiction. This intimate documentary delves into the harsh realities of drug use in The Natural State, highlighting not only the devastating, lasting effects on those who become addicted but also the profound impact on their families, friends, and communities.

April 25, 2025

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Poison Pill: San Diego’s Battle Against Fentanyl

NBC 7 undertook an in-depth investigation to move beyond the headlines and statistics, aiming to uncover how the fentanyl crisis emerged in San Diego County, the impact it continues to have on local communities, and the critical work still needed to address what has been labeled an epidemic. Throughout their reporting, they spoke with grieving parents who have lost their children, overdose survivors, academic and medical experts, government officials, and activists. The accounts from those on the front lines are candid, powerful, and at times deeply unsettling. By presenting these stories, NBC 7 seeks to provide San Diegans with a deeper understanding of the scope of the fentanyl crisis and to highlight the urgent need for collective action to protect families from future tragedies.

April 25, 2025

Injecting Hope: A Harm Reduction Program Tackling Drug Overdose

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Injecting Hope: Tackling Drug Overdose With Harm Reduction

Injecting Hope offers an unflinching, ground-level examination of the drug overdose crisis in North America and explores the potential role of harm reduction initiatives, such as safe injection sites, in addressing the epidemic. ABC7 News reporter Tara Campbell takes viewers to the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for an intimate look at the effects of North America’s first sanctioned safe consumption site, established more than two decades ago, on both individuals struggling with addiction and the broader community.

April 25, 2025

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The Story Behind: Fentanyl (3 Part Series)

This three-part series, presented by RogersTV, delves into the opioid and fentanyl crisis and its widespread impact on communities across Ontario, Canada. The first video provides essential background, explaining what fentanyl is and how it has insidiously infiltrated neighborhoods. A local police officer emphasizes that “the misuse and abuse of fentanyl is a shared responsibility — it’s a public health issue that involves education, intervention, treatment, and enforcement.” Parts two and three build on this foundation, incorporating personal stories from individuals directly affected by addiction, along with insights from additional experts. The series explores how the pharmaceutical industry contributed to the emergence of a thriving Black Market, the efforts law enforcement is making to address the crisis, the rationale behind harm reduction strategies, and the common obstacles people face when seeking treatment.

April 25, 2025

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True Stories of Addiction: Alcohol Was My Gateway to Illegal Drugs

Brady grew up in a disconnected family with parents who secretly struggled with drug addiction. After getting his girlfriend pregnant, he married and began working at a liquor store, where he developed a heavy drinking habit. At 26, he tried cocaine and quickly became addicted, using it to stay awake and alcohol to sleep. Later, while working at a phone bank, he began using pain pills after a back injury. The pills made him feel good, and he soon relied on a mix of drugs and alcohol to function. Though he tried to cut back due to the financial cost, he wasn't concerned about health or legal risks—only the financial expenses. While drinking at work one day, a man came through the drive-thru and had cocaine. Brady decided to try it and at 26 he developed a cocaine addiction within a very short period of time. He started using cocaine to wake him up and alcohol to help him when he needed to sleep.

April 25, 2025

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How I Became an Addict – Interview with Ariel (Other Side)

Meet Ariel, a 30-year-old drug addict living on the streets in Miami. As she tells her story, you begin to realize that she has been failed by her family and government systems time and time again. Despite all her battles, Ariel remains positive and hopeful that recovery will be possible for her one day.

April 25, 2025

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Addiction: The Science Behind (NOVA PBS)

This incredibly informative documentary from NOVA PBS discusses opioid addiction, highlighting that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather, a treatable chronic medical condition. It provides a general overview of the science behind addiction, detailing how dopamine, the reward pathway, and other brain regions change as a result of substance abuse, and how these changes result in drug-seeking behaviours and withdrawal. While there are several personal stories from those affected by addiction, the primary focus of this documentary is to provide education on the science behind addiction and the importance of evidence-based treatments.

April 25, 2025

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Killer High: The Silent Crisis (Fentanyl)

This powerful documentary explores the impact that fentanyl is having on the United States, particularly on youth living in Fresno, California. You’ll learn about the opioid crisis through the eyes of the families impacted by it, the law enforcement officers who are desperately trying to get it off the streets, and the medical professionals who witness countless opioid-related overdoses and deaths. You’ll also hear from two mothers who want to pass a very powerful message along to other parents, and you’ll see the video footage of the moment they found their children unresponsive, overdosing in their rooms. This documentary serves as an eye opener to parents with the overall message that this is not “some other family’s problem” – it is impacting many of our children and it’s extremely important for parents to learn about addiction.

April 25, 2025

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Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (Stigma & Addiction)

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis is a documentary that delves into the origins and far-reaching impact of the opioid crisis. Featuring interviews with individuals affected by opiate addiction — including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and those in recovery — the film offers an unvarnished look at the differing opinions within the activist community on contentious approaches to addressing the epidemic. Through these honest conversations, it becomes clear that one pervasive challenge lies at the core of the crisis: stigma.