Childhood Abuse and Opioid Addiction
As a child, Jordan felt misunderstood and alone, eventually, leading to Opioid addiction. Jordan describes his upbringing as similar to that of an only child; his brothers are between 8-18 years older than him and were already living on their own.
Click Here to learn more about Childhood Emotional Neglect and Its Effects.
He tells us that when he was 5 his father’s kidney failed, and because he was born with only one kidney, he required a transplant. His parents traveled to Texas for the procedure leaving Jordan in the care of a neighbor.
Jordan goes on to say that the neighbor molested him and that he stayed completely silent about it until recent years. This event, he admits, changed the way he viewed himself and it taught him that people couldn’t be trusted. A few years later when he was 8, Jordan was diagnosed with OCD, depression, and anxiety.
Despite his mental illness’, he describes his childhood as normal; he was active in boy scouts, sports and his church community. He describes the physical health of his parents being the biggest struggle of his youth.
Grief and Substance Abuse
His mother was diagnosed with a type of small cell cancer when Jordan was leaving junior high. During high school, the severity of his mother’s condition made his father desperate to give her the best possible care but doing so left Jordan feeling separated from his mother for an entire year.
Jordan lived with his brother while his parents sought out a higher quality cancer treatment in California. He admits that this was the beginning of his rebellious tendencies.
With a heavy sigh, Jordan explains how his mother, a few days after returning from treatment and in remission, was hospitalized. Her condition worsened, and she was put into a medical coma. Two months after her return home, she passed away.
Jordan was in shock that she would pass away after just being cured of cancer—he felt betrayed by God. He couldn’t comprehend why a loving and caring God would allow this to happen to his family. Fueled by his despair, he began to experiment with using drugs and Alcohol.
Prescription Drug Abuse
Like so many others it started with a prescription Painkillers after getting his tonsils removed. He states, “I immediately enjoyed the sensation it gave me.”
Jordan soon started taking the left-over pain medication from his mother’s cancer treatment, in addition to drinking and partying on the weekends. He explains that he barely graduated high school by just meeting the minimum requirements.
Jordan describes college as being the place “where his addiction took hold of him.” He engaged in the constant use of OxyContin 80 mg and drinking heavily every day.
It was at this time, however, that OxyContin 80 mg were removed from production due to their highly addictive qualities and ease of use. Jordan, unable to get more, turned from Prescription Opiates to Heroin.
He recalls not knowing what withdrawals were; he didn’t have a clue that physical dependence had taken hold, only that he felt sick without it and needed something to substitute. Learn More about withdrawals from an addict.
Inpatient Treatment and Drug Relapse
Soon his family noticed he was losing weight and isolating himself. His father took him in while he was fully engaged in his addiction, expecting to see meaningful change or a step in the right direction.
Instead, Jordan manipulated his father to get money to fuel his addiction, becoming violent at times. Growing tired and his own health suffering, Jordan’s father and brother arranged an intervention.
At 20 years old and a slave to addiction Jordan agreed to go to treatment. He admits, “I wasn’t really ready for any change.” After six months of treatment in Long Beach, California, Jordan found himself drinking a few weeks after leaving.
A week later, he was smoking crack and injecting Heroin, an idea he received in treatment after hearing from others how he’d been wasting his Heroin. It was a choice that would take him much further down the path of destruction than he ever wanted to go.
Drugs and Crime
A few months later he was homeless, stealing and robbing others to maintain his drug use. Miserable and sick he called his father who picked him up and took him to Prescott, Arizona, where he began another treatment program.
In and out of the rooms for several years Jordan struggled to accept his disease. He continued to try his hand at being a normal person but always found that he couldn’t control his addiction.
Eventually, the law caught up with him and he was charged with four felony drug offenses and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Before going off to prison Jordan met a woman who, after a long road of suffering at his side, would become his fiancé. After he finished his prison sentence Jordan moved in with her and was doing quite well for several months.
Injecting Heroin to Cope
Everything changed the day he got a call that his father had fallen ill and that Jordan needed to fly home to Seattle. After having a major surgery, Jordan’s father passed away.
The loss of his father sent him spiraling into intense IV drug use. Systematically, he pushed everyone he cared for away with his reckless and selfish behavior.
He found himself living in his car, suicidal and doing anything he could to avoid sobbing uncontrollably. After many overdoses and suicide attempts, Jordan found his way back into treatment.
Mental Health and Recovery
Having nothing and no one by his side, he did 30 days of treatment, but this time he took everything he could from the experience. To his amazement, his girlfriend took him back and he hasn’t let her down again.
Jordan continues to work the 12-steps with his sponsor and attend meetings to be of service to others. He began to go to therapy, working with the trauma and grief that used to overwhelm him.
Additionally, he has sought help for his mental health. Having a proper mental health diagnosis and medication, Jordan has found significant stability.
He also opens up about how he found a spiritual way of life in recovery. Jordan feels that it’s his duty to help other people suffering from addiction to find the treatment they deserve.
Today, he hopes people in recovery will look inward for the root issues causing addiction. He encourages anyone living with an addiction to begin diligently healing their wounds and start the path to recovery. Overcoming addiction is possible and we are here to help – contact us at (866) 578-7471.
36 comments
omg smokin crack and injecting heroin.. just why?? why would someone even put that in another person’s head to do??
We need an iota of drug in our system based on doctor’s prescription, but the abuse is what is not good. No one is to be trusted with their children and in no account should parents life affects the children. Thank God that Jordan found a new life
Congratulations Jordan,
We should be careful and careful for our children. Thank God that Jordan found a new life.
This is a touching story and it is so sad that he had to lose his father. Thanks to detox for the 12-steps program and his girlfriend.
His story is so emotional on how he became a drug addict from smoking crack to injecting himself with hard substance. But now he’s well and that all that matters.
This saddens my heart to hear about Jordan’s childhood and his addiction that almost destroy his life. The combination of drugs and alcohol is very deadly. We need to abstain irrespective of the present issues.
Thanks for this helpful information. Also for sharing his experience regarding this topics. Hope that everyone would be aware of this so that it can help them also to overcome their struggles about this.
The story has really changed from a bad one to something positive. Good to read he is helping addicted people get the needed help now.
It is really sad to read that he suffered from so many bad things in his life. What’s quite surprising is the fact that he did sought treatment for his addiction, but it looks like he never gained much success. Jordan also used to rob people and this is something really disappointing and scary at the same time. It is good to read that he is recovering.
No one is to be trusted with their children and in no account should parents life affects the children. Thank God that Jordan found a new life. This is very inspirational story. Thanks for sharing this blog
Drug addiction is really harmful to the body, soul and mind. I love these stories as they are lessons to a lot of people to stay away from drugs.
Jordan really had a stressful childhood and I feel so sorry for him and what he passed through. Going into substance abuse was not the best option for him and I am glad he sought treatment. Wishing him all the best.
It is so saddening what people go through silently. The result of all he went through definitely contributed to him resolving to drugs. Thank God this is now all a story.
Jordan’s story is encouraging. Kudos to Detox.
Jordan i can feel that since you kids you far away from your mom because your mom treatment for cancer,but now you got sober after 30 days treatment, after you get mental illness ,you totally concious
Jordan challenges is Terrifying and despite all he faced, it’s really inspiring and wonderful to see he Recovered
Jordan’s testimony is so amazing.
It worth reading over again.
Jordan is one of the truly lucky men whose testimonies about addictions have touched me deeply. I wish to say parents are inexcusable when they let down their children for any reason.
Thanks again detox.
In my life, I never thought of using drugs in that matter. I may have used Meth, Coke and Weed but not at the same time. I am just happy that Jordan was able to overcome everything.
Loosing both parents can be devastating after such long off and on turmoils of drugs and opium usage. I’m really happy he eventually had a change of heart and settled for the 12 step program. Thanks for sharing
This is why family should always stick together and look out for a one another. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been for Jordan growing up.
His addiction got the best of him, and for him to have found his way into the 12 step program showed that he desired a better life and he got that which he desired. Congrats to you Jordan.
Am happy Jordan was able to overcome. But abuse of drugs isn’t a good thing yo start with
What a great story, very inspirational. We see how he conquer addiction through spiritual ways.
Thank you for sharing Jordan’s story with us! Glad to know that he is doing fine now that he sought out help. It’s really sad reading his story but it gave people inspiration to the ones that needed it the most. Bless him!
Childhood emotional neglect always cause harm to a person personality, it may also lead to addiction as we have seen in the case of Jorden.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and this content is to provide an overall understanding of substance use disorders. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual.
Children can be exposed to stressful condition at early childhood and this can trigger use of drugs. At times, there are things which can not be changed but should be avoided when a child is growing up.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something.
He is using drugs to cope understandable!!!! However, with addiction that comfort never last, At times the backlash will be far worse. Addiction does that to you and yet people still do it. I do not understand that to be honest.
This story is very pathetic. Jordan thought that heroin will help him cope with his challenges but ended up getting addicted. Addiction eventually led to health trauma for him. Glad that he has found his path to recovery and trying to get his life back.
Trauma is not a good thing for one to go through. Jordan ‘ intake of heroin led to his addiction which later resulted in trauma for him. Glad that he is now recovering and taking step to get his life back on track,
Thank God for Jordan’s recovery from heroin. He was really a lonely child but he sought for help, his story is very emotional. Detox to rehab thank you for the 12 steps program and for sharing this amazing story.
A lot of people get addicted to prescription drugs …and then starts taking other drugs like opiate and cocaine..I’m sad Jordan went through such a hard time..with the loss of the mum..I know what it feels like..glad he is clean and recovering from his addiction
It’s become very normal when no one is there to care of you. But the most important is , A individual who recovered are the real hero . They now able to handle any situation.
The body needs some amount of drugs during treatment of any illness, ones it more than required, it affects the brain. This is really inspirational. Thank God he later found help
College has really been a place people get to use more of drugs, reason I can place it. Parents and bodies should look into how to stop this, really not a good thing