In this eye-opening episode 7 of "Roads to Recovery," host Jim Russell sits down with Vaya, a clinical director from New Directions, to share her story of substance use disorder, loss, and hard-won transformation. For the first time publicly, Vaya recounts a lifelong battle with substance use, beginning in childhood amidst a family history of substance use disorder and instability. Listeners are taken on a raw journey through the depths of alcoholism, brushes with the law, and the profound impact substance use disorder had not only on her own life but also on her relationships with family and friends.

She reveals her cycles of pain and desperation, including struggles with mental health and a suicide attempt, and the pivotal moments that sparked her commitment to change, including the birth of her daughter and the realization that her actions affect far more than just herself. The episode explores the difficult process of rebuilding trust, seeking treatment, and finding stability through community, faith, and a dedication to helping others in recovery.

If you or a loved one needs support, reach out to a local mental health provider and know that a different life is within reach. Tune in for an episode that is as inspiring as it is real, offering empathy, encouragement, and the assurance that it’s never too late to choose a new direction for yourself and your loved ones.