In this episode of Innovation Saves Lives, host Leonard Kim sat down with Nicholas Mathews, the CEO and founder of Stillwater Behavioral Health. They discussed addiction, drug epidemics, and treatment. This includes Mathews’ own poignant story of transformation, which saw him go from a troubled past marked by addiction to his current position as a beacon for many seeking recovery.
With a childhood characterized by severe trauma and the early departure of his father, Mathews spiraled into drug use and crime. By the age of 18, he was battling a severe addiction to heroin and crystal meth, facing convictions and critical health crises. However, he managed to turn his life around, with his recovery journey leading him to establish Stillwater Behavioral Health to assist others in similar plights.
“I found a passion for giving back to that community,” remarks Mathews. “I wanted to share my experience and let people know that they can change and that they can improve and become better. So I started Stillwater with that goal in mind.”
Mathews points out that trauma is a common thread in many lives, often triggering substance use as individuals seek escape from emotional pain. His initial encounters with drugs were attempts to self-medicate unresolved trauma — a pattern he recognizes in the lives of many he now aids through his recovery programs.
And there is more need for recovery programs today than ever before, with the evolution of drug epidemics seeing a shift from substances like crack cocaine to more lethal drugs such as fentanyl. The extreme potency and risks associated with fentanyl significantly increase the likelihood of overdose, elevating the need for urgent action in prevention and recovery efforts.
Unfortunately, nothing about addiction or the recovery process is easy. The harsh reality of the narcotics trade is the dual bind of psychological and physical dependency that creates a profitable but vicious cycle for dealers. It is the very dynamic that makes disrupting the addiction business a formidable challenge.
To combat the cycle, Stillwater Behavioral Health utilizes a comprehensive treatment approach, combining clinical strategies with community support. By understanding the root causes of an individual’s substance use, there is a greater chance to achieve effective treatment. Therefore, Stillwater incorporates a variety of therapies, including group sessions, individual counseling, and holistic practices like yoga and meditation to support recovery.
But Mathews still believes there is more that can be done, especially where the stigma surrounding addiction treatment is concerned. He advocates for a shift in societal perceptions to view seeking help as a strength, not a weakness. He argues for the normalization of treatment, suggesting that societal support should be as forthcoming for addiction recovery as it is for treating physical ailments.
Mathews also criticizes policies that punish rather than support individuals struggling with addiction. He advocates for harm reduction strategies, such as increased access to Narcan and legal reforms that protect those seeking help during overdoses rather than penalizing them. These changes are crucial for creating a safer and more supportive recovery environment.
Looking forward, Mathews is optimistic that treatments will evolve to become more accessible and that societal attitudes will shift to encourage and support addiction recovery universally. He highlights the importance of recovery communities in sustaining long-term sobriety and rebuilding lives.
Mathews encourages anyone struggling with addiction to reach out and embrace the available support, emphasizing that no one is alone in their struggles. His message is a powerful reminder of the strength found in community support and the transformative impact of seeking help.
