Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse & Heroin Addiction

In episode 34 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tabitha, who shares powerful journey from a childhood filled with chaos, trauma, and abuse to finding recovery and rebuilding her life. Growing up in a toxic household in Baltimore, she faced early exposure to addiction, violence, and pain that led her down a path of substance use, incarceration, and survival on the streets. From the heartbreak of overdoses and prison time to navigating the fentanyl and Xylazine crisis, Tabitha’s story is raw and real—but it’s also one of redemption. Today, she’s a devoted mother, Peer Recovery Specialist, and living proof that healing is possible. Her story reminds us that no matter how dark life gets, recovery and self-worth can still be found.

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Chapters |

00:00 Intro & Meet Tabitha

00:17 Growing Up in Baltimore

02:28 Family Struggles & Early Trauma

06:46 Addiction Starts Young

08:55 Teen Pregnancy & Family Dynamics

13:01 Escalation: Violence & Arrests

17:00 First Time in Prison

22:22 Prison Life & Heroin Introduction

28:36 Street Life, Drug Dealing & Multiple Incarcerations

32:21 Overdoses, Survival & Losing Hope

39:03 Kensington & Fentanyl/Xylazine Era

44:41 Final Arrest & Path to Recovery

46:03 Treatment, Sobriety, and Becoming a Parent Again

49:40 Therapy, Medication & Adult Recovery Court

53:07 Sustaining Sobriety & Growing Self-Worth

56:00 Working as a Peer Recovery Specialist

57:01 Family Healing & Finding Stability

58:58 Reflection, Advice, and Hope for Others

Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health.

Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree…

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