In Salisbury, Maryland, 34-year-old Kyle Harman shares a home with his mother, Lauren, and stepfather, Matt McGinnis. His story captures the harsher truths that accompany the lives of survivors of opioid overdoses. In 2016, Harman went into a life-threatening overdose that resulted in severe injuries. This experience only added to his desire to gain back the independence he lost.
Harman’s path toward addiction started in high school, where he first used opioids and other drugs. On Mother’s Day 2016, his parents woke up to find that he had lost his pulse. That traumatic wake-up call would begin a horrific 17-day journey in the ICU. The first week was in a coma, as he battled for his life. Today, he wouldn’t leave the house without being able to walk independently. He wants to get his driver’s license back and eventually work in finance or sell life insurance.
I want to show that I’m capable of doing it,” Harman claimed, looking back on his goals coming into office. Just because my brain was injured — that really shouldn’t affect me to this day.
At the same time, the story of John-Bryan ‘JB’ Jarrett provides the counterpoint to Austin’s tale, a narrative of survival against devastating odds. JB had three hours of intensive PT/OT/ST rehab every day for three and a half months. As a result, his health and temperament slowly started to improve. His mom, Jessica Pizzitola Jarrett, shares his journey of feeding him through a feeding tube and managing the complexities of his care.
In April, JB received approval for Medicaid which will provide him with professional nursing support 24 hours a day. This aid is especially important to families such as the Jarretts, who encounter serious obstacles in navigating after the overdose needs.
“Would JB want to live like this? I hold a lot of guilt around that. I don’t know.” – Jessica Pizzitola Jarrett
JB’s primary mode of communication is through a head laser paired with a low-tech communication board. His situation underscores a troubling irony: while overdose deaths have decreased due to the availability of naloxone, many survivors now endure serious complications that can drastically alter their lives.
Dr. Jennifer Stevens, director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, emphasizes the challenges faced by patients like Harman and Jarrett. “With rehabilitation and compassionate care, there’s every reason to think people will get better,” she stated.
The chaotic, inconsistent nature of recovery is cause for alarm—especially among medical professionals. Dr. Ivanhoe pointed out that “some patients get better, some patients get worse.” He added, “We are not great at predicting who’s going to do what, and so I would just not like to take those opportunities away.”
Erin Winstanley elaborated on the nuances of treatment by noting that “you have a faster onset and a narrower window to intervene.” This underscores the critical need for timely acute medical responses to maximize overdose case management.
The narratives of Kyle Harman and JB Jarrett illustrate the profound impact of addiction and recovery on individuals and their families. As they navigate their new realities, they embody resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Harman’s and Jarrett’s stories serve as important reminders about the continued need for holistic support systems to help opioid survivors thrive.