Tell Me More: The Realities of Addiction (W/ Jaden Roberts)

I first met Jaden six months ago when his mom called me asking for help. His addiction had spiraled out of control. He was doing things he says he never imagined himself capable of doing, and eventually reached a point where he attempted to take his own life by cutting his wrists. Two days later, Jaden left for treatment. Six months later, he came home...and this was our first conversation since. Jaden speaks openly and graphically about what addiction really looks like from the inside. He describes the places addiction took him, the decisions he made, and some of the thoughts that can go through a person’s mind while caught in active addiction. But this conversation is also about what comes next. We talk about treatment and recovery, mental health, homelessness, and some of the ways we might do a better job responding to people who are struggling while also addressing the very real impacts these issues have on families and our communities. Jaden’s perspective comes from someone who has lived it. This is a difficult conversation at times, but an important one.