Tiffany Jenkins: The Journey from Opioid Addiction to Sobriety (ep. 286)
Sep 3, 2020
Are you facing obstacles that seem impossible? Have you made so many mistakes that forgiveness seems unreasonable? Have you lost hope that you can pull yourself back up? Today’s episode is for you.
Just three months after her first sip of alcohol, Tiffany Jenkins was on her way to a decade long opioid addiction. From varsity cheerleader to high school dropout; dating a sheriff to committing two dozen felonies: Tiffany shares her hard-won journey to redemption and sobriety.
This emotional conversation breaks through the stigma surrounding the Opioid crisis and offers hope and encouragement to anyone who is battling addiction or loves someone who is.
SHOW NOTES:
- Growing up, Tiffany + her sister were frequently left alone leading to unhealthy eating habits + self-deprecating humor.
- Epitome of success: After unexpectedly making the cheerleading team, outwardly Tiffany was viewed as attractive yet she still felt ugly inside + out of place.
- Within three months of taking her first drink of alcohol, Tiffany dropped out of school + became addicted to opioids.
- To celebrate graduating rehab, Tiffany got drunk.
- While dating a Sheriff Deputy, Tiffany relapsed with opioids, became an expert at manipulation + lying and took drastic steps to support her habit.
- "I didn't want to die. I felt like I had to. I wasn't strong enough to deal with the consequences of my actions."
- On Christmas morning, Tiffany's father visited her in jail which gave her hope that life after addiction is possible.
- While living in a halfway house, Tiffany became pregnant. Within two years of leaving rehab, she was a married mom of three.
- "I would have taken the small amount of time we had together sober over the life before that." - Tiffany on the cherished time with her father before his passing.
- For the first time in my life, I was being accepted. Tiffany became candidly sharing her sober life, being a wife + mother on social media.
- "Reaching out for help was the greatest gift I gave my future self."
- If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, visit Nar-Anon.
- Follow Tiffany Jenkins on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Get a copy of Tiffany Jenkins' book High Achiever.
TIFFANY JENKINS' LIVE INSPIRED 7
1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.
[Listen to Mitch Albom on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 81 and ep. 199!]
2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Ability to see the good in everyone.
3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My dad's ashes.
4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? My mom.
5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? My mom told me to stop meeting my problems halfway and wait for them to come all the way. My dad told me to look down at my feet to keep me present.
6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Give her a hug, tell her she's loved. And tell her to hug her mom a couple more times.
7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? It didn't play out the way I thought it would and that ended up being the greatest blessing of all.
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