Welcome to Part 4 of our series, What I Wish Someone Had Told Me. On this episode, Jodi Salvo and Kathy Bazaar are joined by Jes Deemer, a recovering drug addict who reflects on all she's learned during her experiences with drugs.

Raised in a good home with parents who didn't even drink, Jes's story is much different than others we've shared. She started using heroin when she was 19, and her addiction quickly spiraled out of control. The first and foremost thing she wishes someone would have told her is to not be so naive to think addiction couldn't happen to her. Now, she understands how drugs physically change the landscape of the human brain - and this can happen to anyone.

Listen to Jes's story about falling into addiction, facing legal trouble, dealing with relapse, all the while knowing that her family - especially her daughter - needed her. She also highlights recovery court here in Tuscarawas County and how she came to realize that recovery court is filled with people who care about her and want to help her. In the end, she believes recovery court saved her life.

One more point Jes stresses is that addicts need to work through their fears that everyone who tries to help them has a hidden agenda. You must learn to forgive yourself and accept that people truly want to help you and see you thrive.

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