Proud Voices

Growth happens in the icky stuff

This week's guest, Allyn's energy is infectious as she chats about how to keep a positive attitude while being uncomfortable in early recovery. She takes a deep dive into some existential questions such as: How do we measure success? How do we work through our personal struggles in sobriety? How do we stay honest with ourselves and others? Allyn has been sober since 1/4/2022.

My first adult decision I made was not to leave treatment

This week's guest Joey heard about Pride Institute through a support meeting at the age of 16. He first started using at 10 years old. One thing that is immediately apparent when hearing Joey's story is the optimism he's gained from his sobriety. Joey has been sober since June 2, 2021. 

Birthday party turned intervention

This week's guest, Jacob, had gone to AA meetings for years prior to attending treatment for the first time. He came to Pride after his family did an intervention with him on what he thought was his uncle's funeral. Jacob got sober on January 18, 2022. 

Addiction cannot be familiarized without trauma being healed

Terry has been to Pride four times. The first time was after he graduated from college in the 90s when meth was still kind of new to the queer community. As the years went by he saw the drug begin to consume the community, his friends, and even himself. Terry speaks about career loss, financial devastation, homelessness, and how he was able to survive through sobriety. Terry has been sober since August 8^th, 2021.  

I know three things for sure: I’m a person living with HIV, I’m Bi-Polar, and I’m an Addict

This week’s guest, Pinki, came to Pride from Seattle, Washington. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) by background, Pinki was working as a Case Manager when he had a six month relapse during the pandemic. Pinki also struggles with Bi-polar disorder and talks at length about the co-occurring disorders and poly-use as a means of self medication. Pink has been sober since May 24, 2021.

I got more flack for being overweight than I ever did for being gay

This week's guest, Miles, felt out of place when he first came to Pride Institute back in 2013. He was addicted to Adderall, a substance he used to treat his body dysmorphia, when most of the other clients used meth. He remembers others in the community telling him, "If you like Adderall, you better stay away from Meth," and while he never intended on using meth, it wasn't until a few years after his first stint in treatment that he found his new vice. Miles has been sober since September 9, 2021. 

Suboxone saved my life

This week's guest, Jenny, struggles with patellofemoral syndrome, a knee condition due to cartilage damage. To manage the pain, she was prescribed Percocet, in addition to the Vicodin she was already taking, and before she knew it; one pill turned into two, turned into four, and eventually turned into 30 to 50 pills a day. Jenny came to Pride twice, the first time to get sober, and the second to taper off of suboxone. She has been clean and sober since 2017. 

I don’t think I could get through my sobriety without faith

This week’s guest, Shana, found out about Pride Institute from a fellow inmate while serving an eight-month sentence in prison. Following her release from Prison, Shana continued to use for the next year or so before finally admitting to our program. She credits the program, the sober connections she’s managed to make, and her 96-year-old grandmother who she describes as being the most godful inspiration in her life. Shana has been sober for five years.  

The body is just an ornament, your spirit is what’s alive

This week’s guest, Mal, has battled with both substance use addiction, as well as an eating disorder. Her eating disorder started at the age of 14, and she had her first drink at 16. The two went hand-in-hand starting around the age of 16 until eventually, she sought treatment 12 years later. Mal has been sober since January 26, 2016.

I never ”used” to have fun

Jay first started using meth when he was 38 years and heard about Pride from someone he was using with at the time. Having spent several years working in the entertainment theatre scene, he describes his drug use as being one of the few things he could use to silence the noise that surrounded him. He has been sober since April 1, 2019.