THE ASPIRE BLOG

Staci Johnson knows first-hand the heartbreak of addiction, and the stigma felt by both those who abuse substances and their loved ones.

She lost her father, brother, cousin and several other loved ones to overdose deaths. That’s a big part of why a career spent in various parts of the social services field – including as a job coach, para-educator and working in a juvenile treatment facility – led her to becoming a Recovery Coach with Aspire Indiana Health, working largely with outpatient populations in Madison County.

“My heart and soul is about raising awareness to destigmatize all that comes with death by addiction. We need to always remind others this disease is not biased or discriminatory, and that those who have lost their lives to it were people who were loved and cherished,” Johnson says. 

“Overdose is rising dramatically in our state and more awareness needs to be brought to help stop this terrible trend.”

So when a need arose for someone to oversee the Madison Overdose Awareness Day events, Johnson jumped at the chance. The event, held Aug. 31, helped educate the community about the prevalence of drug overdoses and resources to get treatment, whether on an outpatient basis or at a dedicated facility like Anderson’s Mockingbird Hill Recovery Center.

Johnson said organizing the event from the ground up was a big challenge, but the positive response was worth it. “I really wanted this year to center around love. Love is such a healing force and I think the more broken one is, the more love is needed to bring about motivation to change.”

She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a focus on psychology. Johnson has been certified by the Co-Active Training Institute and also is credentialed to work with patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and on those with Autism Spectrum/Sensory Processing Disorder.

Johnson cherishes the success stories she sees and participates in every day. In particular she recalls a client who came out of prison after a lengthy sentence for blowing up a meth lab. He felt broken and lacked hope, but after working with Johnson and the Aspire team he now has more than three years of sobriety. 

He mentors others now with the encouragement of his parole officer, regained custody of his children and even volunteers with children disabled by deadly accidents like the one that sent him to prison.

“It's such a fulfilling full circle story that proves people can truly change!” she says.

In her non-work life, Johnson enjoys spending time with her children, watching them grow in their hobbies and interests. She is active in her church and in the local recovery community.

Having faced so much personal loss and seen it experienced by others, Johnson is committed to fighting substance use disorder each and every day.

“I look forward to helping plant the seeds of hope and love into others who desire to heal and change their lives.”