They met while in recovery from substance use. Now they’re getting married

Former SRHN employee Sean O’Donnell was recently highlighted in a TODAY article released on August 11th, 2022. The article follows Sean, his partner Ryan and their story of love and recovery.

Sean O’Donnell and Ryan Hampton met at The National RX Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in 2018 when they were both new to recovery. At the end of the Summit, they returned to their respective cities: Sean was in Minneapolis, and Ryan was in Los Angeles.

After a year of long-distance dating, the opportunity arose for Sean to move to Las Vegas and work at a Las Vegas-based recovery organization, meaning that the two would be less than 300 miles apart.

“Before, I didn’t have the tools or the connections with people who genuinely cared about who I was and what I wanted in life. Now I have that in my partner,” Sean said.  “We’re able to support (each other) in recovery and come from a place of understanding.”

After four years together, the two are finally taking the next step; they will tie the knot in March of 2023. “Being able to share our love for each other and also share a love for recovery and recognize the value of our recovery journeys is so unique… It’s huge. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Congratulations, Sean and Ryan! We are so happy for you both and grateful to Sean for all he did to build our small foundation to a powerful and sustainable Network during his three years with us. 💜

Read the full story here.