The Beverly Family – Ohio
Jay and Steph run Beverly Helping Hands, a painting business that doubles as a discipleship platform. Along with their family, crew, and other disciples, they founded the Church of the Remnant. Their vision is to establish The Father’s House, a refuge for families seeking healing and unity in the Lord. Grateful for their redemption from addiction, they passionately aim to guide others to the freedom and joy in Jesus that transformed their lives.
As of 2024, approximately 295 people die each day from drug overdoses in the United States. This figure is based on the latest estimates that around 107,500 people died from drug overdoses in 2023. The majority of these deaths involve opioids, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which continues to drive the epidemic.
The daily death toll underscores the ongoing public health crisis despite some efforts to reduce these numbers through harm reduction, treatment programs, and law enforcement initiatives.
Ohio has been one of the areas in the U.S. most heavily affected by this epidemic.
1. Opioid Use: A significant portion of Ohio’s population struggles with opioid addiction. According to the Ohio Department of Health, over 500,000 Ohioans were estimated to have an opioid use disorder at some point during the opioid crisis, particularly at its peak in the late 2010s.
2. Substance Use Disorder (SUD): According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 8-10% of Ohio’s population (roughly 850,000 to 1 million people) are estimated to struggle with some form of substance use disorder, including drugs and alcohol.
The unemployment rate among people in recovery from substance use disorders, including those who have recovered from drug addiction, is notably higher than the general population. While precise numbers fluctuate depending on various studies and local conditions, several reports highlight a range of 12% to 25% unemployment for individuals in recovery, significantly higher than the overall U.S. unemployment rate, which hovers around 3-4%.
1. Substance Use and Employment Challenges: A study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that individuals in recovery often face barriers to employment, such as stigma, gaps in their work history, and the need for ongoing treatment or counseling.
2. The Role of Treatment: Employment rates tend to improve for those who have access to supportive services, such as vocational training or employment assistance programs, often lowering their unemployment risk compared to those without such resources.
3. Impact of Stable Employment on Recovery: Research has shown that stable employment improves the chances of long-term recovery, reducing the likelihood of relapse by providing a sense of purpose and stability.
Addressing this gap remains a key challenge in supporting those in recovery, with targeted programs focusing on vocational rehabilitation, anti-stigma efforts, and employer support being part of the broader solution.
Help is on the way!
Imagine you finally fight your way out of the darkness that is addiction and you have hope for your future and your family and then you can’t find employment due to your past. We have met many people in this exact situation and many of them feel hopeless and end up falling back into addiction.
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