Stories

At the core of the Unshame California campaign are the thousands of Californians impacted by substance use disorder. They are our parents, siblings, children, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. These are their stories.

Valerie Believes Every Person Deserves Kindness

Valerie is committed to helping folks access the care they need to recover.

Apr 8

Alex Cares About Saving Lives

Alex is passionate about making sure everyone in his community knows what to do if they ever witness an overdose.

Mar 20

Marissa Works To Ensure Treatment Accessibility

Marissa is a health education specialist who believes in using harm reduction to help others.

Jan 4, 2025

Catherine Knows Everyone Deserves Safety and Care

Catherine works in public health and focuses on helping people make safe choices if they use substances.

Dec 26, 2024

Juli Takes Action

Addiction didn't run in Tyler's family.

Jan 12, 2024

Dr. Christina is Changing her Community Through Education and Compassion

Dr. Christina talks about what she has learned about opioid use disorder (OUD) and medications that can treat OUD.

Jul 12, 2023

Rudy on Recovery, Self-Compassion, and Showing Up

Rudy spent a lot of years being the person who seemed to have it all together.

Inspirational Stories

Aug 201 min read

Michael Sees the Good in Himself

When people saw Michael as a whole person instead of just focusing on his substance use disorder, he started to recognize the good within himself.

Recovery Journeys

Jul 311 min read

Alfonso Believes the Right Treatment Changed Everything

Alfonso found a medication for addiction treatment (MAT) plan that fit his needs and helped with his withdrawal symptoms during recovery from substance use disorder.

MAT

Jul 101 min read

Dr. Christina is Changing her Community Through Education and Compassion

Dr. Christina talks about what she has learned about opioid use disorder (OUD) and medications that can treat OUD.

Bryant Talks About the Science of Addiction

Bryant shares how educating himself and those around him has helped reduce the stigma of blame.

Deanna Shares the Importance of Family

Journeying Toward Hope: Supporting Her Brother's Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder and Overcoming Stigma Together.

Rudy on Recovery, Self-Compassion, and Showing Up

Rudy spent a lot of years being the person who seemed to have it all together.

Michael Sees the Good in Himself

When people saw Michael as a whole person instead of just focusing on his substance use disorder, he started to recognize the good within himself.

Alfonso Believes the Right Treatment Changed Everything

Alfonso found a medication for addiction treatment (MAT) plan that fit his needs and helped with his withdrawal symptoms during recovery from substance use disorder.

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Stories

Valerie Believes Every Person Deserves Kindness

Alex Cares About Saving Lives

Marissa Works To Ensure Treatment Accessibility

Catherine Knows Everyone Deserves Safety and Care

Juli Takes Action

Dr. Christina is Changing her Community Through Education and Compassion

Top stories

Rudy on Recovery, Self-Compassion, and Showing Up

Michael Sees the Good in Himself

Alfonso Believes the Right Treatment Changed Everything

Dr. Christina is Changing her Community Through Education and Compassion

Bryant Talks About the Science of Addiction

Deanna Shares the Importance of Family

Most read

Rudy on Recovery, Self-Compassion, and Showing Up

Michael Sees the Good in Himself

Alfonso Believes the Right Treatment Changed Everything

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