Speaking
Sarah Spier is one of the most compelling voices speaking today on addiction, recovery, and the realities of the opioid crisis. A former heroin addict turned behavioral health professional, she combines lived experience with years working in treatment programs, behavioral health systems, and policy initiatives.
Through powerful storytelling and systems insight, Sarah helps audiences understand the human realities behind addiction while offering practical perspective on treatment, recovery pathways, and how communities can better support those seeking help.
Her presentations are moving, educational, and deeply human—helping audiences break stigma, understand addiction more clearly, and believe in the possibility of recovery and the power of hope.
What People Are Saying
— Kelsy McHenry
Founder, BLOOM Mom Tribe
“I had the opportunity to share a stage with Sarah at a prevention conference. Sarah deftly stepped onto the stage and, with grace, humility and courage, shared her story of addiction. You could visibly see the audience change. It was a moment that changed hearts and minds about what addiction looks like.”
— Geoff McLachlan
Founder, Professionals at Play
Professional Speaker & Facilitator
“Our keynote speaker, an Eagle, Sarah Spier’s story is nothing but inspirational. Her strength is truly exceptional, and how she is giving back to her community is something everyone needs to hear. If you don’t know Sarah Spier, please do—your life will change.”
— Osman Özturgut, PhD
College of Professional Programs
Eastern Washington University
“Sarah Spier has an extraordinary ability to turn personal adversity into purpose. Her voice, leadership, and lived experience bring both compassion and credibility to the conversation around addiction and recovery. She has a rare ability to connect with people through honesty, empathy, and insight, helping others better understand the complex realities of addiction and the power of recovery.”
— Catherine Reynolds
Founder, The Royal Closet
From Hollywood To Heroin To Hope
A powerful keynote on addiction, resilience, and the human capacity to rebuild a life from the brink of death.
Sarah Spier’s keynote is a raw, powerful, and deeply moving story of survival, resilience, and hope.
At 19 years old, Sarah was living a life filled with opportunity—working in the film industry on projects including the Academy Award–winning film No Country for Old Men, traveling the world, and founding a nonprofit supporting a school in Tanzania. Within a year, she would be fighting for her life after a heroin overdose that left her unconscious, convulsing with seizures, and facing the possibility of permanent brain damage.
In this unforgettable keynote, Sarah takes audiences inside the reality of addiction—the moments that led her from a promising future into the depths of heroin addiction, the night her mother found her nearly dead, and the long, painful road back to life and recovery.
Through extraordinary honesty and vulnerability, Sarah helps audiences understand what addiction actually looks like from the inside. She breaks through the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, explaining how trauma, relationships, mental health, and brain chemistry can pull people into addiction in ways that are often misunderstood.
But Sarah’s story does not end with survival.
After rebuilding her life, she went on to earn a degree in International Political Science focused on opioid treatment systems and built a career working within behavioral health programs, treatment initiatives, and statewide policy efforts. Today, she combines lived experience with professional expertise to help audiences understand the complex addiction and recovery system—and how communities can better support those seeking help.
Sarah’s keynote leaves audiences profoundly moved. Many describe the experience as life-changing. Through powerful storytelling, humor, and hard-earned insight, she inspires compassion, resilience, and a renewed belief in the possibility of recovery.
Her message is ultimately one of hope: that even in the darkest moments, healing is possible—and that every life holds the power to rise again.
A Mother’s Love- Our journey from Opioids to Hope
A deeply moving mother-daughter story about addiction, the fight to save a life, and the extraordinary power of love in recovery.
A powerful and deeply moving presentation about addiction, family, and the extraordinary role of love in recovery.
In this unique joint presentation, Sarah Spier and her mother, Cary Spier, share their story from two sides of the same crisis: the daughter fighting heroin addiction and the mother determined to save her life.
Sarah speaks openly about the descent into addiction that nearly cost her everything. Cary shares the experience of watching her only child disappear into addiction, the fear of losing her daughter, and the desperate search for help in a treatment system that is often confusing and overwhelming for families.
Together they recount the night Cary found Sarah unconscious from a heroin overdose and the long road that followed—hospitalizations, treatment programs, uncertainty, and ultimately recovery.
Through their parallel perspectives, audiences gain a rare and deeply human understanding of what addiction looks like not only for the person struggling, but for the families who love them and are often left trying to navigate the crisis without a roadmap.
Beyond sharing their story, Sarah and Cary offer insight and practical guidance for families facing addiction today. Drawing from both lived experience and Sarah’s professional work within behavioral health systems, they help audiences understand how the addiction treatment system works, why families often struggle to find help, and what steps loved ones can take to support recovery.
Their message is ultimately one of hope: that even in the darkest moments, compassion, persistence, and connection can change the trajectory of a life.
This presentation is especially impactful for families, educators, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and anyone seeking to better understand addiction and how to support someone they love through recovery.
Uniquely Tailored For You
Custom Presentations for Your Audience.
Every audience is different, and Sarah Spier works closely with event organizers to tailor each presentation to the specific goals of the event, the audience, and the broader conversation they want to create.
Drawing from both lived experience and extensive work within behavioral health systems, treatment programs, and policy initiatives, Sarah is able to adapt her presentations to address a wide range of topics related to addiction, recovery, mental health, and resilience. Whether the goal is education, prevention, inspiration, or systems change, her talks can be customized to meet the needs of the audience.
Sarah frequently speaks on topics including:
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and addiction recovery
• The opioid crisis and the evolving landscape of fentanyl and synthetic opioids
• Mental health, trauma, and the pathways that can lead individuals into addiction
• Brain health and understanding addiction as a complex neurological and behavioral condition
• Resilience, hope, and rebuilding life after addiction
• Prevention and early intervention for youth and young adults
• Supporting families and loved ones navigating addiction and treatment
• Integrating lived experience into behavioral health systems, organizations, and public policy
• Understanding the addiction treatment system and improving access to care
Sarah’s presentations can also be tailored to support the goals of specific types of events and organizations. She has experience speaking for:
• Nonprofit organizations and fundraising events
• Behavioral health and addiction treatment conferences
• Schools, universities, and youth programs
• Healthcare systems and professional trainings
• Community coalitions and prevention initiatives
• Policy discussions and system-level meetings
In addition to sharing her story and expertise, Sarah understands how storytelling can help inspire action. Her ability to combine powerful storytelling with practical insight allows audiences to leave not only moved, but better equipped to understand addiction, reduce stigma, and create meaningful change.
What Audiences Gain from Sarah’s Presentations
Audiences leave Sarah Spier’s presentations with a deeper understanding of addiction, recovery, and the human realities behind the opioid crisis.
Through powerful storytelling and practical insight, participants gain:
• A deeper understanding of addiction and substance use disorder
• Insight into the opioid crisis and the evolving fentanyl landscape
• Greater awareness of how trauma and mental health intersect with addiction
• Tools for supporting loved ones navigating addiction and treatment
• A clearer understanding of how the addiction treatment system works
• Strategies for reducing stigma and building compassionate communities
• Inspiration and hope that recovery is possible
Sarah’s presentations not only move audiences emotionally, but also equip them with knowledge and perspective that can help individuals, families, professionals, and communities respond more effectively to addiction.
Get In Touch
Interested in Booking Sarah for Your Event?
Sarah Spier regularly speaks to a wide range of audiences including behavioral health organizations, schools and universities, nonprofit fundraisers, recovery and community groups, and public health and policy leaders.
Her presentations can be tailored to meet the goals of your event, whether you are hosting a conference keynote, educational program, professional training, community conversation, or mission-driven fundraising event.
Through powerful storytelling, practical insight, and a deep understanding of addiction and recovery systems, Sarah helps audiences break stigma, better understand addiction, and find hope in the possibility of recovery.
If you are interested in bringing Sarah to your organization or event, please complete the booking inquiry form