How Heroin Turned Me Into a Homeless Felon | Ep 189

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Shawn Mims for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, homelessness, and the journey toward lasting recovery.

Shawn's story begins with a difficult childhood that set the stage for years of destructive choices. He shares how he started smoking cigarettes at just nine years old, long before he understood the consequences of addiction. After losing his father, Shawn struggled to cope with the grief, and substance use quickly became an escape.

As a teenager, marijuana became a major part of his life, eventually leading him to drop out of school. What started with weed soon escalated into experimenting with harder drugs, pulling Shawn deeper into a lifestyle of addiction and crime.By just 18 years old, Shawn was facing multiple felony burglary charges. He reflects on the decisions that led him there, the consequences that followed, and the experiences that shaped his outlook on life—including a memorable psychedelic experience that forced him to confront parts of himself he had been avoiding.

When heroin entered the picture, everything changed. Shawn opens up about his first experience with the drug, the rapid downward spiral that followed, and how addiction eventually left him living in a homeless shelter with nowhere left to turn.

Despite years of struggle, Shawn found a way out. He shares what recovery looked like for him, the changes that helped him stay sober, and why he believes anyone can rebuild their life no matter how far they've fallen.This episode is an honest conversation about loss, addiction, second chances, and the hope that recovery can bring.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

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