I Used & Sold Heroin — Then Ended Up In An Ohio Prison | Edward English

Edward English grew up between Houston and Ohio in a turbulent home marked by an absent father and an abusive stepfather. Put on Ritalin from ages 7 to 17, he struggled with confidence and identity — eventually turning to drugs as a way to escape. What started as experimentation spiraled into an eight-year heroin addiction that led to his arrest in 2011 for possession, distribution, and trafficking. Sentenced to nearly eight years in prison, Edward served 4.5 before being released in 2016. Behind bars, everything changed. Through faith, mentorship, and personal growth programs, he transformed his mindset and rebuilt his life from the inside out — a journey he documents in his memoir Emersion. Today, Edward is 14 years clean, a husband, father, and commercial plumber in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to helping others overcome addiction and find purpose after prison. His story is one of pain, perseverance, and the power of true transformation. #LockedInWithIanBick #PrisonStories #TrueCrime #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #OhioPrison #RedemptionStory #realstories Thank you to DAWS for sponsoring this episode: Go to http://www.daws.org/ to donate, adopt or send items from their wishlist. Connect with Edward English: Facebook: Edward Lee English TikTok: @emersion589 Instagram: @emersion589 Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro, Awkward Moments & Setting the Stage 00:36 – Host Announcements & Welcoming Lee 01:01 – Lee’s Childhood, Family & Early Upbringing 05:51 – Trauma, Emotional Struggles & Coping as a Kid 10:26 – Turning to Drugs: Early Addiction & First Experiences 13:41 – High School Achievements, Pressure & Fitting In 17:05 – Life After High School: Work, College & Substance Use 19:42 – College Years: Addiction Deepens & Escalation Begins 24:01 – Rock Bottom: Mugging, Desperation & Collapse 28:28 – Moving Back Home & Falling Into Old Patterns 32:40 – Heroin Addiction Intensifies & Selling to Survive 37:29 – Survivor’s Guilt, Dealing Drugs & Losing Control 43:41 – Spiritual Turning Point, Arrest & Reality Check 47:31 – Jail, Detox & The Mental Shift Toward Change 51:42 – Facing Trial, Sentencing & Harsh Consequences 56:07 – Family Impact, Regret & Self-Reflection Before Prison 01:00:32 – Prison Intake, Processing & First Impressions 01:05:05 – Prison Conditions, Programs & Daily Reality 01:10:10 – Marion Correctional: Adjusting, Programs & Growth 01:15:01 – Awkward Encounters, Prison Dynamics & Conflict 01:19:40 – Mentors, Guidance & Using Resources to Change 01:24:01 – Therapy, Recovery Work & Rebuilding the Mind 01:28:01 – Life Lessons, Release Preparation & Reentry 01:32:26 – Starting Over: Building a New Life & True Change 01:36:00 – Family, Healing Generational Trauma & Reflection 01:41:30 – Parenthood, Patience & Giving Back Through Kindness 01:43:07 – Hope, Redemption & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices