OCALA, Fla. — August marks Overdose Awareness Month, and according to the 2022 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.8 million Americans battled a substance use disorder in 2021.

In Florida, the Department of Health reports that in 2022, emergency responders were called to more than 100,000 overdoses, which resulted in more than 7,000 deaths.

What You Need To Know

  • Ocala resident Caitlin Perez is celebrating 10 years of sobriety

  • The 2022 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.8 million Americans battled a substance use disorder in 2021

  • The Florida Department of Health reports that in 2022, emergency responders were called to more than 100,000 overdoses, which resulted in more than 7,000 deaths

Caitlin Perez is celebrating 10 years of sobriety.

“I know right now inside of that building there is a bunch of clients who, some will come out as I did and some will choose a different path,” she said.

Perez got treatment at Phoenix House Florida in Citra and said her addiction started when she was hanging out with the wrong crowd as a teenager. For the next 10 years of her life, Perez said drugs consumed her, and her struggle with addiction eventually led her to jail.

Three overdoses later, Perez said she found herself back in a courtroom ready to go to prison, until she was given a second chance at life.

“Everything slowed down, it was in slow motion when (the judge) was speaking to me," Perez said. "She said, 'Young lady, is your life not worth fighting for?’ All of the pride and stubbornness and my attitude, my impatience just shut off immediately."

Now she’s a wife, mother, and an inspiration to those on the path to recovery. But through her journey, Perez said she’s lost friends and family, including her brother, Ian, who died of an overdose in 2018. 

“Him and I would always say, 'When mom and dad go, it’s me and you,'" she said. "I remember at his wake even though I have my husband. I’m hugging him and kissing him. I held his hand and said, 'It’s just me.'”

But through the pain and tears, Perez said she found meaning in overcoming her addiction.

“You never know what you have to offer somebody — I didn’t think i had anything to offer anybody," she said. "But I do. That’s my love, that’s my support, that’s my story."

Phoenix House Florida is an addiction treatment center in Citra, Marion County. Officials there say they are seeing a lot of calls regarding people suffering from substance abuse. While there are resources, like Phoenix House, in the area, we spoke with one of the leaders at the center, accessibility to those resources can be limiting, especially financially.