Tara

firsthand Guide
Cincinnati, OH

TW: Murder

Tara was raised by her maternal grandparents after her father tragically killed her mother when Tara was just 18 months old. She lived within a complex family dynamic fraught with addiction and untreated mental illness. Her maternal aunt, who also contributed to her care, lived with unmedicated schizophrenia, adding layers of challenge to an already difficult upbringing. Tara excelled academically but struggled with feelings of not fitting in.

By her teens, Tara was immersed in the punk rock scene, which introduced her to alcohol and drugs. At 17, she entered an abusive relationship, which eventually led her down a path to heroin addiction—a drug she initially detested but felt compelled to try repeatedly due to its prevalence among her friends.

Tara's addiction culminated in severe legal consequences at 21, resulting in multiple charges, including felony forgery. Her time in jail while six months pregnant, followed by forced cold turkey detox, had devastating effects on her unborn child. This dark period also marked Tara's first introduction to therapy and medication within an inpatient rehab setting. The one-size-fits-all recovery model failed to support her long-term success initially, but Tara's determination to break free from addiction never waned.

Throughout the years, Tara found stability in methadone treatment, often thriving when she balanced her medication with mental health care. However, systemic misunderstandings and punitive measures frequently disrupted her recovery.

Tara's advocacy for harm reduction dates back more than twenty years. Tara was actively involved with needle exchange programs and distributing injectable Narcan before it was a widely accepted practice. Her dedication to harm reduction has been both professional and personal, driven by a deep-seated belief in the necessity of systemic change.

Before Tara joined firsthand, she dedicated several years to The Empower Project, a pioneering research initiative aimed at improving outcomes for pregnant women facing substance use disorders. With her lived experience of addiction and methadone treatment, Tara played a crucial role in developing surveys and training modules for peer supporters. Her work was instrumental in grassroots efforts to reform hospital practices for managing neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Tara now celebrates more than ten years of sobriety. Her time as a firsthand Guide has been transformative, aligning with her passion for harm reduction and flexible, individualized recovery paths.  In her role, Tara is most proud of the opportunity to serve others, providing support and hope to those navigating similar struggles. Her days are fueled by the satisfaction of making a difference, whether through direct care or systemic advocacy.

Outside of work, Tara's passions are intertwined with her love for animals. She is a certified animal rehabber and cares for a wide array of creatures, from raccoons to tree frogs. She also strives to be the best mother she can be, breaking generational curses and ensuring open, honest conversations with her children about feelings and difficult topics.