Tom_Flanagan
Host
he/himJoined Apr 2025
4Sessions
Attended
Attended
44Peers
Supported
Supported
12Sessions
Hosted
Hosted
8Positive
Reviews
Reviews
he/him
I made a career change following my 29 year old son's death by fentanyl poisoning. I began volunteering my time and energy full time in recovery and prevention organization work. I am a dedicated champion and advocate for peer group support. My experiences with the traumatic shock of discovering my son's body changed me. I can see clearly now that I am an anxious overthinker, a carbohydrate addict in recovery, and a PTSD survivor. At the same time, I have social anxiety about being an "imposter" in any behavioral health group that I newly join because I present myself as being well managed. If I were to peel away all of my self-management tools, I would have a clear view of what life could be for me.
I run an in-person grief peer support group for loss by fentanyl poisoning within the East Bay Recovery Center in Warren RI (Tuesday nights at 7:00). I am interested in experiencing online practices and hybrid practices for grief management. For me, ShareWell is both a learning opportunity and a way of giving back to a community that is essential for our social survival going forward.
I hope to build enduring supportive contacts with peers in the the grief-management and anxiety-management field. see www.BlueSkiesRI.org