‘It robs your child of everything’: Mother shares her late son’s struggle with substance abuse disease
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Brian Meadors battled addiction for nearly two decades before overdosing on opioids 10 years ago, and his mother continues to share his story to let others know they’re not alone.
Brian was an honor roll student, but by the time he got to middle school, he started hanging around the wrong crowd, and his struggle with addiction began.
Brian went to his first treatment center at 14 years old.
“He would have periods of sobriety, he would take medication for some mental health issues, he would do very well, and then the spiral would begin again,” Cheryl Meadors, Brian’s mother said.
Meadors told News 2 her son struggled with alcohol and opioids, and battled the disease of addiction for years.
“At some point in your life you’re just pleased that they make it through another day, you pray that they make it through another day, that they make it through another week; that they are able to hang on a bit longer,” Meadors said.
Brian hung on until he was 33 years old when he overdosed on opioids on Feb. 20, 2014.
Just 10 years ago, the overdose-reversing drug, naloxone wasn’t readily available to the public. Meadors told News 2 the acquaintance Brian was with at the time of his overdose left him there to die.
‘It stole her from us’: Middle Tennessee woman’s dreams cut short by fatal fentanyl overdose
“Your life changes in an instant; in just a second, and every moment going forward is different,” Meadors said. “It was the nightmare that you don’t wake up from. You have such dreams, and in the case with my son, he started out with such promise and such a bright future, and the disease of substance abuse takes all that away; just robs your child of everything.”
After Meadors lost her son, not only was she suffering emotionally, but physically. She sought support from other parents who lost their children to addiction.
“When you find other folks that are dealing with the same thing, you find understanding, you find acceptance, you find suggestions; you just find love because they know what you feel like and they want you to feel better,” Meadors said.
Meadors still regularly attends support groups, including Al-Anon, Celebrate Recovery, and PAL Group, which have helped her realize she’s not alone.
⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
“Substance abuse knows no race, no social status, no economic level. I’ve worked with and met with parents and family members in all walks of life,” Meadors said. “Professional, blue collar, lots of money, no money, very prominent people in the neighborhood and the community and people who are not well known in the community, but all of us struggle the same.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
