I Am the Other Side of Addiction: Breaking Family Chains

By Jodi Russo-Bailey

I decided to write an autobiography that begins at the age of one. I share with the reader graphic details of selected incidents that took place in my life in hopes to invite the reader to understand how to process their past, how to prepare themselves for the future, and how to embrace and love themselves through it all. I have implemented QR-Codes throughout the book that are small short video recordings of myself speaking on certain topics that are discussed in the book. I wanted to create a connection with the reader and develop trust. Though the book at times shares some really hard facts and events that took place in my life, it also brings to light how I have overcome the past and how I have dedicated my life to serve others who suffer from the deadly disease of addiction and mental health. The series of books are the foundation to a company that I I founded called Virtual Hope due to the need that I recognized over the past 20 years professionally and the past 53 years personally. The lack of resources and support for family members who have loved ones suffering from substance abuse disorder and mental health is astonishing. I discovered during my writing process, I wanted to do more than just tell my story. I wanted to use my story to help others in the same or similar situation.

Having parents and many family members who suffered from the disease I knew all too well the impact it can have on those who are left to pick up the pieces that addiction leaves behind. I want to help families walk through their journey and season of difficult times and celebrate the times of success and recovery. I found the my true purpose and why I decided to finally write and share my life journey. The three series of books will be utilized on the Virtual Hope platform that will offer families, friends, and loved ones a safe place to heal as a community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667897059

Book preview

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Breaking Family Chains

Jodi Russo-Bailey

©2023 Jodi Russo-Bailey

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-1-66789-704-2 eBook 978-1-66789-705-9

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without expressed written permission of the author.

Scriptures marked New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked MSG are taken from The Message. Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress (in English) as The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Copyright © 2002, by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.

Dedication

I dedicate this book in memory of all my loved ones and friends who have lost their battle with the disease of addiction. You will never be forgotten.

To all my friends and loved ones who are still battling the disease of addiction: I see you, I love you, I understand you, and I am here for you when you are ready.

To all the family members and loved ones who are left to pick up the pieces of the destruction that addiction leaves behind: You are not alone. Together we can make it through this.

Contents

Foreword by Steven Ashbaugh: A Success Story

Introduction

The Other Side of Addiction

Chapter 1

My Story Begins

Chapter 2

Life-changing Choices

Chapter 3

Beloved Extended Family

Chapter 4

Paternal Heritage

Chapter 5

Discovering Who I Am

Chapter 6

God’s Will Be Done

Conclusion

The Healing and Coping Process

Acknowledgments

Journey to the Other Side of Addiction Interactive Workbook

About the Author

Endnotes

Foreword by Steven Ashbaugh:

A Success Story

2016. I was 26 years old and had been living in an opiate addiction for eight years. Every day was the same grind. Every bit of my energy went to feed my habit, working to support my habit, and doing very little to sustain myself. I’ve always been a hard worker, so that’s what I did: manual labor, grueling work to pay for what I needed to get me through that day. I was always desperate to get the next fix. I had to have it by any means.

When the money ran out from whatever job I had at the time, I turned my attention to those I loved. They were the easiest to manipulate. They’d believe what I had to say and, if nothing else, I knew that they’d forgive me in the end. It didn’t matter at the time. Desperation and fear were all that carried me.

I didn’t see a way out. There was no end in sight. I believed that this was my life, and this was how it was always going to be. I’d find myself sleeping in the spare room of an elderly woman’s house. That was the only place I had left. All my other options had been exhausted — taking advantage of others’ kindness and allowing them to take advantage of me.

By sheer coincidence through those I was staying with, I met a group of people who were doing a documentary on heroin addiction. They asked if I would like to take part, to which I agreed. What did I have to lose?

Among them was a woman named Jodi. We spent weeks communicating and developed a friendship over time. I don’t know what she saw in me, but she offered a way out — a treatment facility that she was affiliated with. I had tried this route before, but this time felt different. I wanted to stop using.

In treatment, I quickly learned that I wasn’t just hurting myself, but my loved ones had also been suffering as they watched me destroy myself. I’d also come to realize that my addiction had roots deeper than the drugs—insecurity, loneliness, social acceptance, and my ego, to name a few. I felt as though I was in control. I spent time reflecting on my family and how they must have felt as they watched me slowly kill myself.

After three months of treatment, I was back in the real world. This time I had a better understanding of myself and the steps that I needed to stay clean. I spent the next few years putting my recovery at the forefront, and the rest seemed to fall into place, but not without the trials of life in general. I just felt more equipped to handle them without the use of a substance. I’ve had to cut off those whom I once held closest because of their continued drug use, even as far as having to bury a few along the way. Some were my closest childhood friends.

Today my life is revolutionized. I’ve never been able to hold down a real job or be financially stable. Today I’m proud to say that I have that, and I even own my own home. More important than that, I have a peace of mind that I never believed was attainable. I don’t have to worry about the next fix. No matter what life throws at me, I know I’ll be OK. Maybe not in that moment, but I know that as long as I don’t use, there’s hope.

Not knowing it at the time, I now know that meeting Jodi provided a pivotal moment in my life. She brought me to realize that there was a way out, and I didn’t have to live the way that I was living. Without her generosity, I wouldn’t have survived much longer. Plain and simple, the opportunity that she provided saved my life.

For anyone struggling with addiction, just know that there is a better life. It is attainable for those who want it. It takes work and dedication,