Alicia Lancaster endured a series of heartbreaking losses in 2015, losing both her mother and experiencing a miscarriage within the same year. The pain from these events led her to begin using drugs in 2016, and soon after, she fell into a deep depression. In 2020, following a traumatic breakup, Alicia’s struggles escalated, and she…
Listen in as we talk to Christine Wagner and Cris Clemmons, members of the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program, who have been volunteering at Healing Transitions for 10 years. They visit both campuses to tend to the gardens, working hands-on with participants and teaching them how to maintain a garden year-round and utilize compost.…
Adam Cohen and Cooper Heins, founders of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit ArtGivers, have a mission to make the healing power of original art available to more people in more places. They purchase art from emerging artists and donate it to mission-driven organizations, including free and charitable medical clinics, shelters, and drug rehab centers. ArtGivers’ artwork is…
Josh Zinner, a vibrant 23-year-old known for his warmth, friendliness, and adventurous spirit, tragically passed away on March 10, 2023, due to fentanyl poisoning. This heartbreaking loss inspired Josh’s family to spread awareness about the fentanyl poisoning epidemic, determined to break the stereotype surrounding addiction and honor his memory. Josh’s father, Cliff Zinner, his aunt,…
Jay Winfrey’s journey into recovery wasn’t so much a planned path as it was finding himself at the end of the road. He describes his years in active addiction as “wallowing in a mud puddle,” a period of life marked by pain and a loss of hope, where each day was a routine of finding…
At just 13, April began drinking and using drugs, paving the way for a long and difficult battle with addiction. With six DWIs and a few run-ins with the law, April’s substance use disorder spiraled deeper after her oldest son’s father tragically passed away in a four-wheeler accident in 2005. Overcome with grief and hoping…
Markel Joseph’s life began with boundless energy, laughter, and an infectious love for people and dancing. Growing up, he was known for his lively spirit, and people gravitated toward him because of his upbeat personality. But over time, that vibrant energy faded into darkness as addiction took hold. The change was gradual yet consuming. He…
Jenn West was a woman who built her life around her love for animals, working as an ER and surgery veterinary technician. But behind her professional facade, her personal life was crumbling. “It was horrible,” she recalls, reflecting on the years lost to addiction. Heroin, crack cocaine, and whatever else she could find had taken…
You might recognize Alex Warren from leading Track Tuesdays at Saint Augustine’s University Track or catching him trail running around town. Either way, he’s doing what he loves—running and helping the community. As the owner of Runologie, a specialty running store, Alex strives to offer more than just running gear. Runologie provides coaching, run…
Jason was 18 when he first experimented with cocaine and pain pills, marking the beginning of a 3-year spiral of heavy drinking and substance use, which eventually resulted in a car wreck while driving the wrong way down a highway, leading to his first arrest. Shortly after the accident, Jason met a woman who…