Title: Overcoming Opioids with Bachelorette alum, Hunter Montgomery   In this episode of Sober Stories, host Beth Bowen sits down with Hunter Montgomery for an honest conversation about his personal journey through opoid addiction and recovery. Starting with an innocuous prescription of Vicodin for a football injury during his university years, Hunter candidly shares how his dependency evolved, leading him down the paths of alcoholism and eventually harder substances like heroin.   A heart-to-heart chat with his grandfather offers a glimpse into the generational perspectives on addiction, and Hunter introduces a relatable analogy, comparing addiction to a shellfish allergy - where exposure could mean life or death. After two rounds in rehab, challenges like a near-prison experience, and a turning point involving an overdose, Hunter's path to recovery finds him in a halfway house and taking on humbling roles, like bagging groceries, marking his journey back to stability.   Hunter's story isn't just about his personal battles; it’s also a call for a broader understanding and dialogue about sobriety. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the significance of open conversations around the subject. As Hunter puts it, there's value in making "sobriety a trend," not only for personal healing but also for societal acceptance and understanding.   Key Takeaways:   Hunter shares how a high school football injury led him, eventually, to a severe addiction to opioids and alcohol in college. In college, Hunter’s use increase while we was in a fraternity, and that his fraternity brothers were eventually the ones to call his parents. Hunter’s parents helped him go to rehab, but he tells stories of how he assumed he’d go right back to smoking marijuana and using drugs once he was finished.  After relapsing 60 days after getting out of rehab, Hunter’s use increased rapidly until he experienced an overdose. Thankfully, he was given a second chance and this experience was his turning point.  Hunter notes that he also experienced legal trouble that should have put him in prison, and that also impacts the new lease on life that he feels.  During Hunter’s second trip to rehab, he decided to do “the program” to the best of his ability, and he was able to find lasting sobriety from all substances as a result.  Hunter and Beth discuss mommy wine culture, and how it’s harming women and mothers.  Hunter says he appreciates the alcohol-free movement, and invites everyone to use the word “sober” if it helps them. Beth and Hunter discuss the differences between people who get sober with AA and those who don’t, and how wonderful it is that there are so many different ways to get sober in 2023.  Keywords: Sobriety, the bachelorette, opioid epidemic, alcohol use disorder, alcoholism, substance use disorder, alcohol-free, sober curious, sober, rehab, sobriety conversations   Support Sober Stories:   COMMUNITY WAITLIST: https://wearesoberstories.com/community Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories Receive email updates: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6206a036e0eda1a0d870a65d Shop our merch: https://wearesoberstories.com/merch   From our sponsors:   Plug into your favorite “quit lit” on the go: Give Audible a try and get your first month free at audibletrial.com/soberstories    Use code RZPSTORIES for 20% off your first Ritual Zero-Proof non-alcoholic spirits purchase.    Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program. [Disclaimer:] The content provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The discussions and personal experiences shared are based on individual perspectives and should not be interpreted as therapeutic guidance. If you are seeking mental health support, we strongly recommend consulting with a licensed therapist or healthcare professional who can provide persona