Episode 7: Vinnie's Story

Health Story Collaborative Podcast Episode 7: Vinnie’s Story (Originally aired on the WBUR Commonhealth Blog). Vinnie is a self-described “toothless, sixty year old junkie.” Thirty years ago he experienced a head injury which left him blind in one eye and debilitated by chronic migraines. To manage his pain, doctors prescribed him various opioids, including oxycodone and dilaudid, and gradually increased the dosage as time passed and he developed a tolerance. Soon, Vinnie became addicted. His life began to revolve around finding his next dose of narcotics, which damaged his relationships with his family and friends. In 2015, Vinnie began suboxone therapy in an effort to reclaim his life. Months later, he spoke with Health Story Collaborative about his brave climb out of “the foxhole of hell” which was his addiction. This podcast is a product of Health Story Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the healing power of stories. To learn more about Vinnie’s story, and to find resources on opioid addiction, please visit www.healthstorycollaborative.org. Music by Jack Broza Lawrence, www.jackbroza.com.