Tyler grew up in a family rooted in law enforcement and military values, but trauma found him early. First came sexual abuse by a family friend—pain he carried in silence until adulthood. Then came the violence of an ex-stepfather, where Tyler and his brother “took the beating for their mom.” By 18, prison, gangs, and meth had taken hold.
The spiral deepened when he lost someone he loved—an ex who overdosed beside him while they were homeless. That moment pulled him into fentanyl addiction, leading to five overdoses, one so severe that the maximum dose of Narcan barely brought him back.
Yet Tyler’s story doesn’t end there. After jail, rejection, and relapse, he found harm reduction—a program that met him where he was, without pressure or judgment. Today, Tyler is six months clean, proving that recovery is possible when compassion and persistence collide.
This episode is a raw look at survival, resilience, and the power of meeting people where they are.