Have you ever needed to take opioids for pain management? I have, many times. And while I’ve never had a true addiction to any of the drugs, I can understand why others develop a dependence.
Opioids can become addictive because in addition to dulling pain, they also produce a sense of euphoria. This, combined with needing to increase doses to produce the same effect as you become more tolerant can lead to opioid use disorder, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Once you’re hooked, life can quickly take a dark turn. The euphoria can be joined by symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, extreme moods swings, and reckless behavior. Overdoses can be fatal.
Fortunately, the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) National Vital Statistics System shows that there has been a steep decline in drug overdose deaths in the United States. While this decline is encouraging news, the problem is far from over.
An estimated three to 12 percent of people treated with opioids for chronic pain will develop an addiction or abuse with negative consequences, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
Those who have experienced drug addiction can quickly see their lives spiral out of control.
Bryce Givens had a seemingly idyllic life as he grew up in Denver. He was raised in a supportive family that valued hard work, sports, and community. He earned a Division I football scholarship and played at the University of Colorado.
“On the outside I was thriving, but underneath I struggled with unresolved trauma and the pressure of high performance,” Bryce says. He turned to drugs. And his eventual addiction to opioids and other substances took a deep toll on his life—personally, professionally, and spiritually.
In his junior year at the university, the football team suspended Bryce for violating team rules and the university’s code of conduct.
“My addiction spiraled, leading to a prison sentence that completely altered the trajectory of my life,” he says. “Facing incarceration was both devastating and a turning point. I felt ashamed, lost, and broken, but also strangely relieved because for the first time, I had no option but to stop running from myself. It was in that stillness that I began to heal.”
Prison became the unlikely place where Bryce rediscovered his identity and purpose.
Recovery from addiction was not an overnight process. “It took years of therapy, personal accountability, faith, and deep internal work,” Bryce says. “I embraced fitness, mindfulness, and service to others as pillars of my transformation.”
Bryce has dedicated his life to helping others find their path to recovery from addiction. He now leads multiple recovery-focused organizations that help others navigate the same journey he once walked. One of them is All the Way Well, of which he is executive director.
“The pain didn’t vanish, but I learned to use it as fuel to create change,” Bryce says. He is grateful for his family, the second chance he’s been given, and “the people who believed in me even, when I didn’t believe in myself. And I’m deeply grateful for the chance to serve others who are still fighting their way out of darkness.”
Bryce tries to focus on routines that build resilience—daily workouts, journaling, connecting with others in recovery, and staying grounded. “I also surround myself with people who challenge me to grow and stay aligned with my values,” he says.
A message Bryce wants to send is that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you are not beyond redemption. “Rock bottom can be the foundation you build a new life on,” he says. “Recovery isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about building a life you’re proud of, one small step at a time.”
If you’re looking for help with addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at any time at 1-800-662-4357.
“Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.”—Robert Downey Jr.
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