Episode 12 - Just Say “Know” Through “Voices From The Opioid Crisis” with Harris Insler

By Jessica Garrison

Trigger warning: Addiction, drug overdose

This episode covers one of the most difficult conversations to have but also spotlights a topic that needs to come to the forefront: addiction. Harris Insler lost his son in 2006 to a drug overdose, and he has since been admirably using his experience to help change the lives of others. Harris describes himself as physically active, an empath, a humanist, a stick-to-it guy, playful, practical, pragmatic, a learner, and a teacher.

There isn’t a guide to grief, especially when it comes to taking care of yourself afterwards. It’s easy to forget yourself in the midst of loss, and it took quite some time before Harris was able to step back and do that. Through this journey, Harris was able to find a community that supports him and gives a sense of understanding of what he’s been through with the loss of his son.

Boundaries are another demanding area to work on after loss. At first, Harris wasn’t open to telling his story, and that’s okay. It takes time to process information and consider your new reality, and not everyone is open to sharing every single detail. When the time was right, Harris wanted to actively support those who are struggling with addiction or have lost someone to it. His empathetic nature helped him see the bigger picture, but it didn’t happen overnight, which is important to remember.

Addiction can creep up on anyone, and Harris wants to have a variety of people share their stories on the subject. No matter your age, gender, ethnicity, or race, you can be affected by addiction and the opioid crisis. Supporting one another and sharing these experiences is part of the safe community Harris wants to create for anyone who may be struggling.

In his pursuit to help as many people as possible, Harris began speaking to schools about his story and spreading awareness. He explains his process during this segment, beginning with letting the students get to know him and then using a variety of tools and videos. The younger someone is when they learn about the opioid crisis and the way addiction can negatively affect their life, the better. Education is also key with adults, learning to look for the signs of someone who may be affected by this or is beginning to experiment with drugs.

Becoming a father supercharged Harris’s need to help others, and it shows in everything he does, from his careful actions to the gentleness in his voice. He has a true passion for people, revealing itself even further as he discovers his layers. Understandably, a lot of inner turmoil came with the loss of his son, and Harris started blaming himself. It took a lot of time for him to start granting himself grace and forgiveness, as well as beginning talk therapy to work through his emotions. Even if discovering his layers wasn’t part of the original mission, it’s become an asset to Harris’s ability to be so compassionate and forgiving.

This was another longer episode we’ve had from the F.E.E.L Podcast, but there’s so much helpful and incredible information that Harris shared with us, so we have to be sure to share it with all of you! This blog doesn’t even scratch the surface of the episode, and Harris’s story deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. His resources will be listed on our website, as well as Harris’s website and any other information you may find helpful while listening to this complex conversation.

Ways to Engage: Everyone has been affected by the opioid crisis or drug addiction in one way or another. We want to offer this platform as a safe space to share your thoughts, stories, or losses if this subject is a personal one. If you don’t want to post them, then we encourage writing down your emotions to at least acknowledge and express them, which can be pivotal in our F.E.E.L. journey.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-4375

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

Addiction Helpline: 844-561-0606