‘You’re not alone’: Richmond man offers support to those facing addiction on heels of Regional Recovery Day

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- More than 1,400 Virginians died from drug overdoses last year -- a sobering statistic of an epidemic plaguing countless Virginia families.

Some government agencies and area resources in greater Richmond will work to change that narrative on the night of Wednesday, Sept. 3 with the second annual Regional Recovery Day.

One person working to make a difference is TJ Hagan from Richmond. On Wednesday night at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, he says he'll let others know the road to recovery does not have to be walked alone.

"It did something for me at the time when I was in active addiction of something taking me out of me where I felt comfortable; I felt invincible. I knew I was filling a hole that was with inside me," Hagan said.

All it took was a trip to have his wisdom teeth removed as a teenager to spiral into substance use and alcohol abuse for years.

But, reaching out for a change became life changing.

"From there, what happened? Life started getting magical. I started getting my relationships back with my family, my friends," Hagan said.

Virginia Department of Health's latest data shows drug overdoses have dropped 43% since 2023, but more than a thousand continue to lose their battle every year.

That's where Hagan and several others come into play on Wednesday to save lives.

Talking with people one-on-one -- Hagan is director of outreach for Arrowwood Addiction Treatment Center in Prince George County. It's a detox, inpatient and outpatient center which is just one of the several people and organizations in Henrico on Wednesday night for Regional Recovery Day.

It's an opportunity for those in recovery and loved ones to sit in on peer panels, overdose prevention trainings and mutual aid groups.

It just may save your life or a loved one's life.

"You're not alone. You can have my number if you want, and you can call me anytime. That's what I get to do today," Hagan said. "The goal for me is to show people that we can have fun in recovery -- live a life without the substances in life. I think it's very important and that way we can love ourselves. That's also why I love where I work. It's built on a little resort when you walk in."