About Sarah
From the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood career to the corridors of an international nonprofit, my life took an unexpected turn. Little did I know I was close to losing my life. I was introduced to pills and quickly turned into an IV heroin addict. The bright lights and achievements couldn’t overshadow the darkness that was opioid addiction. But my journey didn’t end there. Through sheer determination and unwavering support of my mother, I fought my way back from the brink of death. Thirteen years later, I am proud to say I am survivor, a speaker, a consultant for integrated behavioral health and opioid treatment programs, an international certified coach, a philanthropist, and an advocate. Follow me as I share my tale of addiction, redemption, and recovery, and together, we’ll navigate the intricate world of opioids, offering hope, education, and support to all who seek it.
As Seen In
From Hollywood to Heroin to Hope - My Journey
Hi there, my name is Sarah Spier, I am the creator of Follow The Poppy. My life’s path has taken me on an incredible journey of transformation. I went from a thriving Hollywood career in film and running an international non-profit in Africa, to grappling with a severe IV heroin addiction that led me to the depths of despair and almost cost me my life. Miraculously, I emerged from the clutches of addiction. I am sober and alive today because of the unwavering support of my mother who helped me design a mind-body-spirit approach to my recovery and served as my guide through early recovery. I was determined to make the most of my second chance, and once I was healthy enough, I embarked on a journey to help catalyze change within the drug treatment system.
Drawing on my extensive expertise in Behavioral Health, Policy, Philanthropy, Program Development, and Research, I am channeling my academic, personal, and professional experiences to establish Follow The Poppy—an organization dedicated to tackling the opioid crisis head-on. Fueled by my deep understanding of the challenges individuals face in their journey to recovery, I am resolute in my mission to create a significant impact and help put an end to this devastating crisis.
My journey has been marked by some key milestones:
- I pursued a degree in International Political Science with a specialized focus on the socio-economic development of global opioid drug treatment systems.
- I am an International certified recovery coach and a certified professional coach.
- I worked with over 15 city and state task forces and coalitions, where I’ve played a pivotal role in shaping crucial system decisions and projects.
- Through legislative achievements and policy work, I’ve actively contributed to shaping drug treatment systems and programs.
- As a consultant, I have helped create holistic recovery environments and programs.
- I was involved in the WA State Medicaid Transformation, which focused on integrating physical and behavioral health care within state organizations.
- I helped design and implement a groundbreaking youth Sex Trafficking Center, one of the first of its kind.
- I served as one of the Directors of the largest youth Medicaid Treatment Programs in WA.
- I’ve helped raise over $15 million dollars to support youth in need of behavioral health treatment, sex trafficking services, and programs for youth experiencing homelessness.
I look forward to you joining me on this extraordinary journey where I aim to transform lives, help families overcome obstacles, and illuminate a path towards a brighter, opioid-free future. Through Follow The Poppy, my unwavering mission is to sow seeds of hope, foster resilience, and bring healing to those impacted by the opioid crisis.
raised for nonprofit treatment
Years in Recovery
programs/task forces/coalitions
Lives Impacted
My Commitment
My commitment to you is to consistently deliver truthful and transparent information, along with dedicated support services, to aid those impacted by opioids. The staggering loss of lives, insufficient accessibility to treatment, and the financial hurdles endured by those seeking help have illuminated the urgent need for change.
Currently, a mere 11% of the 23 million individuals affected by addiction can access the essential care they require. A critical roadblock to treatment is the financial strain placed upon individuals. Many cannot shoulder the cost of available treatment avenues, intensifying the challenge. Moreover, conventional treatment methods often yield limited success rates, leaving individuals disillusioned. This crisis also extends to families, who often lack the essential support systems. This void of support compounds the already substantial burden they carry.
This catalyzed the birth of Follow The Poppy—an all-encompassing platform for opioid information, educational resources, support services, and a reservoir of hope. Through Follow The Poppy, I am committed to confronting these systemic challenges head-on and vow to help be a guide for those affected by the opioid crisis.
From Hollywood to Heroin to Hope: Sarah Spier’s Journey
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If you have a loved one struggling with opioid addiction, know that you're not alone in this journey. It's a challenging road, filled with uncertainty, but your support can be a lifeline that makes all the difference. Trust me when I say that you play a critical role...
Understanding Fentanyl: The Risks, Facts, Origins, and Global Reach
I wanted one of my first blog posts to be about something that has been dominating headlines and causing significant concern for a number of years now—fentanyl. Now, first and foremost, I'm not here to lecture you, and tell you not to do drugs or share more horror...