In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Victoria Lombardo for an incredibly raw and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, family dysfunction, abusive relationships, and finding a way forward after unimaginable loss.
Victoria's story begins with a childhood surrounded by addiction and abuse. She opens up about growing up while her mother was involved in methamphetamine use and the traumatic experiences that shaped her from a young age. At just 13 years old, Victoria survived an overdose after unknowingly taking fentanyl that had been contaminated with another substance.
As she got older, the trauma continued. Victoria shares disturbing experiences involving people she trusted, sexual abuse, and a suicide attempt at a Christian festival. She also discusses entering an abusive relationship and how those experiences affected her choices and her understanding of what a healthy relationship should look like.
Despite everything she had been through, Victoria pursued an education in dental assisting and tried to build a future for herself. But cocaine and other drugs began taking over. She shares some unbelievable stories about using drugs with family members, selling drugs through a drive-through, and one bizarre incident involving a glove that ended up in a quesadilla and eventually in the hands of a homicide detective.
Her addiction eventually became a family affair, with Victoria describing how she and members of her family were using drugs together. Meanwhile, her relationship became increasingly dangerous, including an incident where she was awakened by her boyfriend choking her and holding a gun to her head.
After reaching a breaking point, Victoria's family staged an intervention—even though addiction was affecting multiple members of the family. That moment ultimately helped lead her toward treatment and recovery.
But just as Victoria reached one year clean, she experienced another devastating loss: the death of her mother.Today, Victoria reflects on everything she survived, how she continues to move forward, and what she wants people struggling with addiction and trauma to know.
This is a powerful conversation about survival, addiction, abuse, family, grief, and the strength it takes to rebuild your life.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.
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