I Was Pregnant at 18 and Addicted to Meth & Opiates… This Is How I Survived | Ep 146

In this powerful and emotional episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Shaye Shunkle to share a story that is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring—a journey through addiction, motherhood, chaos, and ultimately, recovery.

Shaye’s story begins with a difficult childhood, born to a mother who was just 15 years old. Growing up surrounded by instability, she was exposed to alcohol and drugs early on, setting the stage for a turbulent teenage life. By high school, Shaye was already deep into substance use, experimenting with pills like Darvocet and getting caught in a cycle of trouble that led her in and out of juvenile detention.

Things escalated quickly—stealing her mom’s car, getting pulled over, and diving deeper into dangerous behaviors, including abusing Triple C’s and other substances that took a serious toll on her mental and physical health. Despite the chaos, life didn’t slow down. Shaye became pregnant while battling addiction, navigating relationships, and dealing with a baby’s father who was on the run in Florida.

Her story takes even darker turns as she opens up about trying meth for the first time—a moment she describes as a major turning point—and her struggles balancing addiction with motherhood in what she calls “Meth & Motherhood.” She also shares about a near-tragic suicide attempt, and the moment that stopped her from going through with it.

From car accidents and opiate use to intense confrontations and violence, Shaye doesn’t hold anything back—including a moment where she stood up and fought back against racism directed at her child.

But through all of it, there’s resilience.

This episode is a raw look at what it means to survive when everything is stacked against you—and what it takes to finally choose a different path. Shaye closes by reflecting on her journey into recovery and what life looks like today on the other side of addiction.

⚠️ Viewer discretion is advised: This episode contains discussions of addiction, mental health, violence, and suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still a way out.

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