From Dope to Hope: A Man in Recovery

Addiction and heroin abuse didn't make Tim Ryan a better person, but recovery has redeemed his years. Substance abuse of heroin and alcohol stole more than half his life. But he has dedicated every waking minute since walking out of prison to dealing hope to addicts and their families. As a recovering addict, Tim is now known as The Hope Dealer. He's also a successful entrepreneur, a nationally ranked barefoot water skier—and a truth-talking, convicted felon. Tim has been a featured thought-leader in numerous national media, including USA Today, Newsweek, and on "The Steve Harvey Show." He was an invited guest to the 2016 State of the Union Address. • As a business leader in a high-tech industry, Tim made and lost millions. • As a father and husband, Tim paved the way for his own son to use deadly drugs. • As a heroin addict, Tim is a walking miracle. He has overdosed eight times, was pronounced clinically dead three times, and suffered two minor heart attacks. He has been arrested more than ten times and served prison time alongside known gang leaders—many of whom became his closest confidants in recovery. • As the founder of A Man in Recovery Foundation and motivational speaker, Tim's mission is to help one addict at a time transform their lives from dope to hope. This story chronicles Tim's grueling journey into addiction, loss, and recovery. Sit with Tim in his prison cell. Walk with him as loved ones are torn from his reach. Rejoice with him as lives are miraculously recovered. "This is the addict's journey: how it happens, how it progresses, and how it ends. Fortunately, this is also the journey of recovery: how it happens, and how it blossoms. There is always hope." —"Dr. Drew" Pinsky, M.D.

As a heroin addict and alcoholic, ultimately serving prison time, Tim Ryan had once lost the will to live. Now he's addressing the addiction epidemic at its core—joining law enforcement and legislators. He's helped raise awareness, teach relapse prevention techniques, host forums, encourage treatment, and institute programs to help addicts end up in recovery instead of prison. He's passionate about placing any willing addict with a need, regardless of insurance, into a recovery program. Tim has the unique ability to reach addicts with brutal honesty and compassion, because he was once on the edge himself. His story is real, his style is raw, and his ability to ignite hope in others is unprecedented. That's why so many, including thought-leaders and national media, have named him The Hope Dealer. Visit www.AMIRF.org to learn more about Tim's work or to schedule him to speak.