My Story: Addiction and Mental Health in Richlands, Virginia

I never expected my life would turn out this way. Growing up in Richlands, VA—a place where everyone knows everyone and the mountains feel like they’re always watching over you—I thought I had things figured out. But addiction doesn’t care where you’re from, what your family name is, or how strong you think you are.

Meth and fentanyl didn’t just creep into my life—they came in fast and hard. At first, I used just to escape, just to numb the pressure I felt inside. I was dealing with depression that I never had the words to talk about, anxiety that kept me up at night, and a deep sense of loneliness, even when I was surrounded by people. When I first used meth, it was like a switch flipped. I felt invincible, like I could finally outrun the thoughts in my head. But the high didn’t last. It never does.

Over time, things got worse. Fentanyl came into the picture, often without me even knowing it. Pills I thought were safe were laced. I overdosed once and barely survived. The ER nurse told me I was lucky. I didn’t feel lucky—I felt broken.

I pushed away everyone who loved me. I lost jobs. I stopped looking in mirrors because I didn’t recognize the person staring back. The hardest part wasn’t even the drug—it was the crushing weight of shame, the untreated mental health issues I carried like a backpack full of bricks, and the belief that I didn’t deserve anything better.

But somewhere deep down, I still had a small flicker of hope—a tiny voice that whispered, “You were meant for more than this.”

The Turning Point: What Recovery Gave Me

Recovery didn’t come easy. It never does. It started with a moment of truth—when I realized I was either going to die or fight like hell to live. I chose life, even though I didn’t know what that meant yet.

The first thing I learned in recovery is that addiction is not a moral failure. It’s a complex medical condition, one that often goes hand-in-hand with mental health challenges like mine. I had to address not only the substances but also the anxiety, depression, and trauma that fueled my addiction in the first place.

Slowly, with support, things began to change.

Recovery gave me my health back. I started waking up with energy and without the weight of withdrawal crushing my chest. I began to eat again, sleep again, and take care of myself in small but powerful ways. My brain started to clear. I felt the fog lifting, and for the first time in years, I could think about the future without fear.

Recovery gave me relationships back. I reconnected with my family, friends, and even people in the community who I thought had written me off. I learned how to communicate, how to say “I’m sorry,” and more importantly, how to forgive myself. I built new friendships—honest ones—where people loved me for who I was becoming, not who I used to be.

Recovery gave me purpose. I started volunteering, attending recovery meetings, even helping others who were just starting out. I found meaning in the very thing that almost destroyed me. Now, every time I tell my story, I feel like I’m turning pain into purpose.

Recovery gave me freedom—not just from substances, but from the mental prison I had lived in for years.

Most importantly, recovery gave me back me.

How Hopkins Medical Association Supports Your Journey

If you’re in Richlands, VA—or anywhere in Southwest Virginia—and struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. That’s where Hopkins Medical Association comes in.

Hopkins Medical Association is more than just a healthcare provider. It’s a healing community. A place where judgment is replaced with compassion, where your pain is met with understanding, and where your recovery is treated with the urgency and care it deserves.

Comprehensive Addiction and Mental Health Care

At Hopkins, you’ll find a team that understands addiction in all its complexity. They know that fentanyl and methamphetamine wreak havoc on both your body and mind. That’s why their approach is fully integrated—treating the whole person.

From the very first visit, they’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs. That may include:

• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while stabilizing your body.
• Individual Counseling and Therapy: to work through the mental and emotional pain you carry and begin building new coping strategies.
• Group Therapy and Peer Support: so you can connect with others walking the same path.
• Chronic Care Management: because they know addiction often comes with other health issues like hepatitis C, chronic pain, anxiety, or diabetes.
• Telehealth Options: if transportation or privacy is a concern, care is still within reach.

No Shame, Just Support

One of the most powerful parts of walking through the doors at Hopkins Medical Association is the feeling of being seen—not as an addict, not as a problem, but as a person. Staff members understand that recovery isn’t linear, that relapse is not failure, and that progress looks different for everyone.

They don’t expect perfection. They just expect you to show up—and they’ll meet you there, every single time.

Local Roots, Community Commitment

Hopkins Medical Association is part of the community. They know what it’s like in Richlands. They know about the job shortages, the housing issues, the family dynamics, and the struggles of rural healthcare. And they’ve built a system that meets people where they are—with flexible hours, multiple care sites, community partnerships, and providers who truly care.

They’re not just treating addiction—they’re helping to rebuild lives.

You Were Meant for More

If you’re reading this and wondering if there’s still hope for you—the answer is yes.

You are not too far gone.
You are not beyond saving.
You are not alone.

At Hopkins Medical Association, we believe every person deserves a chance to heal. A chance to rebuild. A chance to live the life they were meant to live—not just survive, but truly thrive.

Whether this is your first time seeking help or your tenth, whether you’re struggling with relapse or just coming out of detox, you have a place with us.

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community. It happens in small moments, in safe spaces, and with the support of people who believe in you—sometimes before you believe in yourself.

Let this be your turning point.

Let Hopkins Medical Association be your partner.

Let your story be one of transformation.