E7: Hopeful Glimmers And Money For Pills

Episode 7 picks up in the winter of 2015, a time when a fresh sense of hope buoyed Sierra and her family. Sierra had decided to return to treatment on her own terms, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of addiction seemed to lift. Reece and Karen reflect on that hopeful Christmas and a rare, joyful afternoon at the mall—a glimpse of the "old Sierra" that remains a cherished memory.But as the winter turned to spring, that hope was tested by the brutal reality of relapse. Through Sierra’s own heartbreaking journal entries, we hear her internal war: the desperate desire to be a role model for her sister, the crushing shame of feeling "unfixable", and the terrifying realization that she hadn’t yet hit bottom.This episode also dives into the medical complexities of recovery. Reece speaks with William Moyers, VP at the Hazelden Foundation and NY Times best-selling author, to explore the life-saving potential and the social stigma of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). We hear the harrowing story of Sierra’s physical rejection of Suboxone and the impossible choice her parents faced when they realized that, sometimes, supporting an addict means watching them fall.From a trip to Texas to a father’s tearful blessing for his daughter, Episode 7 is a raw look at a family’s tireless effort to save the person they love. Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of substance use.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Resources & Support:For information on substance use disorder, treatment options, and family support, visit www.girloverboardpod.com. If you’re in an immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Credits:Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.