How I Built an OxyContin Empire at 19… Inside Florida’s Pill Mill Era | Ep 147

In this episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Josh Shaw to unpack a wild story of early crime, addiction, and building an underground empire during the height of the pill mill era.Josh’s journey starts young—getting arrested at just 9 years old, fighting in juvenile detention, and being prescribed high doses of Adderall as a kid. By high school, he was already dealing weed, getting expelled, and quickly moving into selling harder drugs. Everything escalated when he was introduced to Oxy, eventually leading him to sell and use pills taken from his own home.By just 19 years old, Josh found himself running an opiate operation through pain clinics—sponsoring people, moving large amounts of pills, and becoming deeply embedded in Florida’s pill mill scene. With connections inside pharmacies and money pouring in, he lived fast—blowing hundreds of thousands through gambling and addiction while his empire grew.But it didn’t last. Federal agencies shut everything down, and what followed was a rapid سقوط into heavier drug use, risky behavior, and life-threatening moments—including overdoses, hallucinations, and encounters with powerful psychedelics.Amid the chaos, Josh also faced devastating personal loss and his own battles with mental health, leading to a breaking point that forced change.After serving time and hitting rock bottom, Josh finally found his way into treatment and recovery—marking the beginning of a new chapter.This is a raw look inside the rise and fall of a young “pill mill kingpin,” and what it takes to come back from the edge.⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode contains discussions of drug use, addiction, violence, and mental health.

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