Real Stories
Real Stories from real people who have shared their personal accounts about dealing with prescription opioids.
Britton, a United States Veteran, struggled with prescription opioids following an injury and shares his path to recovery.
Tele misused prescription opioids beginning at age 13 and shares its impact on his life and recovery.
Ann Marie is a mother who lost her 22-year-old son, Chris, to a prescription opioid overdose.
Mike left school and stopped playing sports because he "didn’t understand the dangers" of prescription opioids.
Teresa lost her brother to an overdose. He convinced people "he knew exactly what he was taking."
David used prescription opioids after knee surgery. He found hope and support in recovery.
Stevi Rae struggled with addiction after a car crash and tells how sharing her story with other Alaska Natives helped.
Brenda shares her experiences with addiction and the toll prescription opioids had on her life.
Judy lost her son, Steve, to an overdose after he suffered a back injury and began misusing prescription opioids.
Noah lost his father to prescription opioids. He learned that everyone knows someone struggling with addiction.
Jeni shares how she withdrew from her culture because of prescription opioids, but reconnected through recovery.
Tessa took prescription opioids while pregnant. Her children led her to recovery.
Cortney tells how support of recovery programs and counselors were vital to her.
Katie’s mother struggled with opioids, teaching her that addiction is a disease that deserves treatment and understanding.
Tamera was prescribed opioids to manage chronic pain and almost lost everything to her addiction.
Learn more about opioid misuse and overdose, data, and prevention resources at CDC’s Opioid Overdose website.
