Messages of Hope: Real Stories
Long Format Video Testimonials
Opioid Addiction Video Testimonials in West Virginia
The Manahan Group partnered with the WV Department of Human Services to produce a powerful campaign featuring opioid addiction video testimonials that reduce stigma around opioid use. These personal stories showcase the human side of addiction, from grief to recovery.
The Bureau for Behavioral Health engaged The Manahan Group, acting Agency of Record for WV DHHR, for assistance in planning their State Opioid Response (SOR) grant cycle. Their objective was to build on testimonials recorded in 2022 to show not only the impact on those dealing with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) personally but to expand the spotlight to also capture opioid addiction video testimonials from West Virginia families affected by the crisis.
The goals were to utilize real stories of families affected by the opioid crisis to create awareness and decrease the stigma faced by those affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD). These opioid addiction video testimonials also aimed to let families and loved ones know they are not alone and that there is hope.
TMG worked closely with the Bureau for Behavioral Health to identify compelling narratives within local communities—highlighting the broader toll opioids have taken on families. This was a powerful approach to substance use disorder recovery and stigma reduction, focusing not only on the individuals struggling with addiction but also on those around them.
Real Stories of Families Affected by Opioid Addiction
The project was inspired by a conversation with the spouse of one of our 2022 subjects, who shared his challenges in helping his wife find the support she needed. With guidance from the state agency, three subjects were identified:
- A spouse who supported his wife through recovery
- A mother who lost her son to substance use
- A woman from southern West Virginia who lost her father before finding recovery herself
Individual pre-interviews helped shape each story and ensured participants were comfortable sharing their journeys. To ensure authenticity, every opioid addiction video testimonials was filmed on location in the volunteer’s home, capturing raw and honest perspectives from those closest to the crisis.
Watch the full testimonials to see how communities can heal together at backtolifewv.org.
CeCe, a grieving mother, shares her son’s battle with substance use disorder.
CeCe’s son Ryan overdosed and passed away. Afterward, she began networking and building relationships. She and her husband launched International Overdose Awareness Day in Charleston.
“From the very moment that we lost him, I said ‘I don’t want one more person to die.’ We went to a meeting and there was a man there and heard our story. He was in recovery and said to us, ‘your son’s death was preventable.’ And that’s what I needed to trigger that in me to know that, okay, now that I know that it’s preventable, then there’s something I can do.” — CeCe
Read more about Cece’s story at backtolifewv.org.
JoAnna, a woman in West Virginia, discusses how losing her father led to her own recovery.
At 15, JoAnna lost her father to a fatal overdose. Seeing gifts from high school classmates at his funeral helped her realize she was not alone.
“Ultimately it is the communities that help the people … I started off doing a lot of event organizing because I really liked that aspect of bringing people together to celebrate. There’s so much hurt all the time. You need to have people together to empower them … to give them hope.” — JoAnna
Read more about JoAnna’s story at backtolifewv.org.
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