A Day in the Life: A Recovering Addict Fighting Hunger, Finding Hope
(Editor’s Note: The following is the second in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of a person recovering from addiction. While we would never directly identify pantry clients without their permission, we often see several hunger archetypes on distribution days.)
Mornings start early for the recovering addict, not because they want to but because they need to. Each day is a test of willpower and resilience, a battle to leave the past behind and build a stable future. Among their daily trials, few would think to factor hunger and the struggle to find their next meal.
For someone in addiction recovery, every moment is layered with challenges. From the physical cravings of addiction to the emotional scars it leaves behind, the road to healing is never linear. Add food insecurity to the mix, and the struggle becomes even more profound. But this individual presses on, fueled by hope and a determination to reclaim their life.
They do this knowing some members of their own family are rooting against them behind their backs, ashamed by their addiction struggle and prior run-ins with the law. Like most addicts, this individual has relapsed more than a few times.
Fighting Hunger & Relapse: The Daily Struggle of Persons Living with Addiction
Hunger is a daily companion, complicating every step of their journey. Food insecurity and addiction – the two are often one in the same.
Morning: A Hunger That’s Hard to Ignore
The recovering addict wakes to an empty stomach. There’s no breakfast waiting on the counter; no fresh coffee brewing to kick-start the day. Their fridge and cupboards are mostly empty. Instead, they sip water and try to push through the gnawing hunger as they get ready for work.
Today, they’re heading to a part-time job at a local warehouse. The work is physically demanding, but they’re grateful for the opportunity. Employment is a critical piece of their recovery that provides structure, a sense of purpose and the means to slowly rebuild their life.
Getting to work isn’t easy. Without a reliable car, they depend on a patchwork of public transit and walking. Sometimes they bum rides from friends, if available. By the time they arrive, they’re already drained. Hunger doesn’t pair well with manual labor.
Midday: The Struggles of Staying Focused
Lunchtime is a reminder of just how precarious their situation is. While coworkers head out for fast food or unpack homemade meals, the recovering addict quietly eats a peanut butter sandwich, rationed from the food they received at Olean Food Pantry. They’re grateful for the assistance, but they certainly wish for brighter days, bigger paychecks and the dignity of shopping for themselves.
They keep to themselves during break. Though they’ve been clean for months, the stigma of addiction feels like a shadow they can’t shake. Conversations about weekend plans or family dinners make them feel like an outsider, someone whose life is still piecing itself together.
Living in a small community, everyone knows everyone. Some of their co-workers are still friends with their former suppliers and sources, having yet to begin their own recovery journey These co-workers aren’t often discreet about their intent to “get messed up” as soon as the shift ends. For this recovering addict, temptation lies around every corner.
But they hold their head high, focusing on the progress they’ve made. Each sober day is a victory, and they remind themselves that every step forward counts, no matter how small.
Afternoon: Breaking the Cycle
Work ends, and the Recovering Addict faces the next challenge: navigating the evening without falling into old habits. Hunger, stress and exhaustion are powerful triggers, and the overbearing compulsion to numb these feelings is horrifying.
They stop by the food pantry on their way home, picking up essentials to get through the week. The volunteer staff greets them warmly, and the interaction feels like a lifeline. The pantry isn’t just a place to get food — it’s a source of hope, a reminder that they’re not alone in this fight. It’s one of the few places of the course of a day where they feel truly welcomed and understood.
The pantry’s offerings are modest, but life-changing. Fresh produce, canned goods and a few protein-rich items will help them make it through the next few days. Knowing they have food at home eases some of the anxiety that so often accompanies recovery.
Evening: Finding Strength in Routine
The evening is both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s a time when cravings for substances — and for a life that once felt simpler in its chaos — can creep in. A buddy they used to party with texted to “chill,” but they know how “just chilling” often evolves into more dangerous activities.
So the recovering addict has learned the importance of routine.
They prepare a simple dinner, maybe pasta with a jar of sauce from the pantry. They eat slowly, savoring the meal and reflecting on how far they’ve come. They feel thankful that the healthy food available at OFP is helping to keep them fed and energized along the path to redemption.
The evening is spent journaling and reading — a therapeutic habit they’ve developed in recovery. They plan for a meeting with their parole officer and what’s certain to be another drug screening the next day.
Though they live alone, they stay connected to their support network. A call to their sponsor or a friend from their recovery group helps them stay grounded. They share their wins and their struggles, finding strength in the shared journey.
Night: Ending the Day with Gratitude
As the recovering addict fighting hunger prepares for bed, the weight of the day begins to lift. They’re exhausted, but it’s a good kind of tired — the kind that comes from hard work and determination. They reflect on the progress they’ve made: the steady job, the ability to pay rent, the sober days adding up. They know there’s still a long road ahead, but they’re proud of how far they’ve come.
Hunger might still be a part of their life, but it no longer defines it. With the help of Olean Food Pantry, they’re finding the strength to build a brighter future, one day at a time.
Breaking the Stigma, Offering Support for Recovering Addicts Fighting Hunger
The story of the recovering addict fighting hunger is one of courage and resilience. It’s a reminder that recovery is about more than just sobriety. It’s about overcoming barriers, rebuilding lives and finding hope in the face of adversity. To win this fight, they desperately need community support.
At Olean Food Pantry, we’re committed to supporting individuals in recovery by providing not just food but also compassion and understanding. Together, we can break the vicious cycle of hunger and poor health, helping people heal and thrive.
Join the fight. Donate today!
