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.

Veronika Always Leads With Compassion

Veronika believes all of us should treat each other with kindness, no matter what they’re going through.

Mar 10

18 views

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

Finding herself and letting herself feel her emotions fully has brought Brooke so much happiness and helped her discover her true purpose.

Feb 2

6 views

Tessa Wants To Educate Young People on Harm Reduction

When Tessa’s daughter asked for harm reduction tools like fentanyl test strips and naloxone, Tessa shared them to help her daughter and frie

Jan 21

8 views

Theresa Finds Joy in Motherhood

Theresa wanted to be as present as possible for her children, which inspired her to pursue treatment for her substance use disorder (SUD).

Oct 7, 2024

9 views

Sean Pays It Forward by Supporting Others

Since deciding to learn more about himself and focus on his recovery, Sean has applied what he’s learned to help others.

Sep 20, 2024

1 view

Anthony Found Treatment That Works for Him

MAT, or Medication for Addiction Treatment, has helped Anthony live the life he always wanted.

Jul 24, 2024

1 view

Robert Knows How Powerful Support Can Be

Positive change is possible when we support a friend or family member with substance use disorder (SUD).

Jul 17, 2024

1 view

Hilary Is Learning To Love Herself

Showing up and showing we care can make all the difference in a person’s recovery journey.

Jun 26, 2024

1 view

Diana Embraces a Fresh Start

As Diana says, "Every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there.”

Jun 21, 2024

0 views

Mike Uplifts His Community

Mike's community has shown him a lot of love, and he loves to pay it forward and show his community love right back.

May 31, 2024

0 views

Crystal Prioritizes Being Outdoors to Treat Her Mental Health

In recovery, Crystal's been resourceful in finding ways to take care of herself.

Apr 24, 2024

0 views

Yerson Learned How to Express Himself

Growth and connection can happen within a family at any point, and it starts with speaking up.

Apr 5, 2024

0 views

Pranom Found Care in her Native Language

It's not always easy for Pranom to communicate her needs because English is her second language.

Apr 4, 2024

0 views

Anna's Family is Her Motivation

Family has always been a big part of Anna's life.

Feb 14, 2024

0 views

Jessica Learned to Ask for Help

Jessica's life changed with just one TikTok video.

Jan 22, 2024

4 views

Support & Acceptance Can Make All the Difference

Cassondra and Ryan are no strangers to experiencing stigma around their substance use disorder (SUD).

Jan 4, 2024

2 views

Yerson Gets Honest About Overdose

Carrying naloxone—aka Narcan—is a commitment to saving lives!

Dec 14, 2023

3 views

Make a Difference with Love

Jocella says that loving someone who uses substances can make a difference. She's speaking from her lived experience.

Oct 27, 2023

1 view

Deanna Speaks Out for Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. In 2020, we lost over 4,000 Californians to suicide. We have the power to change that.

Oct 3, 2023

1 view

Heather Shares about the Chain Reaction of Kindness

When Heather was using substances, the people who showed her kindness made the difference. Now she wants to pass that kindness on.

Sep 6, 2023

0 views

Brooke’s Faith Is a Positive Force in Her Life

"We're all part of something so much bigger," Brooke reminds us.

Recovery Journeys

Apr 231 min read

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Changed Sarina’s Life

Thanks to MAT, Sarina’s been able to reach her personal goals and become a more present mom.

MAT

Feb 81 min read

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

Finding herself and letting herself feel her emotions fully has brought Brooke so much happiness and helped her discover her true purpose.

Lived Experience

Feb 21 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.

Brooke’s Faith Is a Positive Force in Her Life

"We're all part of something so much bigger," Brooke reminds us.

15 views

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Changed Sarina’s Life

Thanks to MAT, Sarina’s been able to reach her personal goals and become a more present mom.

10 views

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

Finding herself and letting herself feel her emotions fully has brought Brooke so much happiness and helped her discover her true purpose.

6 views

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Stories

Veronika Always Leads With Compassion

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

Tessa Wants To Educate Young People on Harm Reduction

Theresa Finds Joy in Motherhood

Sean Pays It Forward by Supporting Others

Anthony Found Treatment That Works for Him

Robert Knows How Powerful Support Can Be

Hilary Is Learning To Love Herself

Diana Embraces a Fresh Start

Mike Uplifts His Community

Crystal Prioritizes Being Outdoors to Treat Her Mental Health

Yerson Learned How to Express Himself

Pranom Found Care in her Native Language

Anna's Family is Her Motivation

Jessica Learned to Ask for Help

Support & Acceptance Can Make All the Difference

Yerson Gets Honest About Overdose

Make a Difference with Love

Deanna Speaks Out for Suicide Prevention Month

Heather Shares about the Chain Reaction of Kindness

Top stories

Brooke’s Faith Is a Positive Force in Her Life

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Changed Sarina’s Life

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

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

Brooke’s Faith Is a Positive Force in Her Life

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Changed Sarina’s Life

Brooke Leans In to Her Nurturing Side

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