Overcoming obstacles and building a new life.
Jamison has built a beautiful career for herself and achieved great personal accomplishments. But as a person in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD), she’s faced discrimination when trying to rent an apartment. “I just felt so defeated, and it just really reminded me of how hard it is for someone who is in recovery and who is trying to rebuild their life.”
Only 40.5% of Georgians are willing to live next door to someone experiencing issues with opioids. Unfortunately, that’s been Jamison’s experience in recovery as well. “I’m a good mother, I’m a good friend, and it still affects me in very, very big ways. Housing is huge.”
Negative attitudes toward OUD can help people from accessing housing and treatment, too. Jamison thinks back on her experience prior to recovery. “Honestly, I didn’t even know that help was out there. I didn’t know where a treatment center was. I didn’t know what a support group was. Many people don’t know where to start their recovery journey, especially if they live in a part of Georgia where resources are limited. “I think that was part of the reason why I stayed stuck so long is because I didn’t know there was a way out. I had just accepted that this is it.”
OUD is a treatable medical condition, and help is available. Together, our communities can help turn those negative attitudes into positive change. “Most places that I went once I decided to kind of shift my life, people were welcoming with open arms, no judgment.” Jamison has found connection in the recovery community, like so many Georgians across our state. “Everywhere I go when it involves recovery has been a very positive experience.”
When we lead with compassion over judgment, more people can and do recover.