I Found My Mother Passed Away… The First Thing I Did Was Steal Her Cancer Meds | Ep 222

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Z for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about prescription pill addiction, heroin, grief, family tragedy, relapse, and the devastating consequences of addiction. Andrew opens up about his childhood in Toledo, Ohio, how his parents' relationship shaped his early years, and how a series of unexpected life events eventually led him down a path he never imagined.

Andrew describes growing up in Toledo and navigating his parents' separation when he was just 13 years old. After his father suffered a heart attack, his parents eventually reunited, but Andrew's life would continue to take unexpected turns. He shares his early experiences with drugs, including the first time he took LSD at a Phish concert, and how baseball became a major part of his life when he went on to play in college.

Everything began to change when a baseball injury left Andrew with access to large amounts of OxyContin. What started as prescription pain management quickly spiraled into an addiction that would take over his life. Andrew explains how easily prescription opioids became a problem and how his addiction progressed as he struggled to cope with increasingly difficult circumstances.

As if his own addiction wasn't enough, Andrew's mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he found himself taking on the role of her caretaker while also dealing with his dependence on Suboxone.

Then came another devastating blow: his father was diagnosed with cancer and given just six months to live. Andrew opens up about the emotional weight of watching both parents face serious illnesses while he was battling addiction himself. One of the most heartbreaking moments of the conversation comes when Andrew recounts finding his mother dead. In the aftermath of that loss, he took 120 milligrams of Percocet 10s and stole the remainder of her medication.

Andrew also shares the shocking decision to refill his deceased mother's pain prescriptions after her death and attempt to do it again. Eventually, the pharmacy caught on, and he found himself facing serious trouble for the first time.

The conversation also turns to Columbus, Ohio, and its devastating relationship with fentanyl. Andrew discusses why the city became known for its severe fentanyl crisis and how the drug landscape has changed the realities of addiction and recovery.

In one particularly revealing moment, Andrew is asked a difficult question: Would you take OxyContin again if there were absolutely no consequences? His answer opens the door to a deeper conversation about addiction, temptation, and the complicated relationship people in recovery can have with the substances that once controlled their lives.

Andrew also discusses being prescribed benzodiazepines while in sobriety, raising important questions about medication, recovery, and the challenges of navigating treatment after addiction.

🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:
TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more:

https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

📩 Collaboration & Business Inquiries:
getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

#GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing