From overdose, attempted suicide, & dropping out of high school to recovery, fatherhood & multiple college degrees, this is a story that will speak to your heart.
Paul Bryant was introduced to opioids when he was in the 7th grade after multiple sports injuries. Throughout high school he experimented with substances. He overdosed when he was in 10th grade, and went on to drop out halfway through his senior year. At age 21 he attempted suicide. When Paul was 23 he entered recovery program but did not stay sober.
Over the next six years he struggled. He met his wife and stepson during this time and in February 2016 their baby, Slade, arrived. The 2 years leading up to the birth of Slade had been extremely difficult, and almost destroyed Paul’s marriage. Paul went back to treatment in February 2016 two weeks after his son was born, and he has been sober ever since. Today Paul has two college degrees and is in graduate school. He currently works for UAB’s Community Justice Programs as the Peer Coordinator for specialty courts in Jefferson County. APC volunteer and Recovery Coach Art Wimberly facilitates this conversation.
