I Got High on My Grandma’s Fentanyl Patches

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Ronnie Schaffer for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father, getting into the party scene at a young age, working in his dad’s bar, opioid addiction, fentanyl, loss, and ultimately finding a path toward recovery. Ronnie opens up about his childhood and the impact his father's alcoholism and abuse had on him. He shares some unbelievable stories from growing up before talking about his teenage years, including dealing weed and throwing a massive high school party that would become one of many turning points in his life. After getting kicked out, Ronnie found himself living at the top of a bar before eventually becoming a bartender at his dad's establishment. What initially seemed like a way to make a living quickly became a lifestyle centered around the bar. Ronnie talks about his daily routine, drinking, and eventually starting to pop Percocet. Things began to spiral after Ronnie was kicked out of working at his dad's bar. His opioid use intensified, eventually leading him to get high using his grandmother's fentanyl patches. Then Ronnie's world was hit with another devastating loss when his dad developed throat cancer and passed away. Ronnie also opens up about one of the darkest moments of his addiction, including an incident involving a nail gun, before explaining how he eventually found his way toward medication-assisted treatment. Today, Ronnie is taking 18mg of Suboxone a day and talks openly about what life in recovery on MAT looks like for him. He shares his perspective on Suboxone, what has helped him stay on track, and the advice he would give to anyone struggling with opioid addiction. This is a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, grief, and finding a way to survive—and ultimately rebuild your life. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. ⏱ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Title of First Chapter 00:00 – Growing Up With an Alcoholic & Abusive Father 10:00 – A Crazy Story From His Childhood 15:00 – Dealing Weed & Throwing Massive High School Parties 27:00 – Getting Kicked Out & Living Above a Bar 33:00 – Becoming a Bartender at His Dad’s Bar 36:30 – Life Behind the Bar & Getting Introduced to Prcocets 43:00 – Getting Fired From His Dad’s Bar & Spiraling Into Opiate Addiction 44:00 – Getting High on His Grandma’s Fntanyl Patches 51:00 – His Dad Is Diagnosed With Throat Cancer 54:00 – A Sicide Attempt With a Nail Gun 01:01:00 – Getting on MAT & Starting Suboxone 01:05:00 – Life on Suboxone & Advice for Anyone Struggling With Addiction 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippod... 📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment