Fighting the Opioid Epidemic this Election Season: Niznik Health Employee Takes on the Challenge with Help from State Lawmakers

Philadelphia, PA, Nov. 2019: Niznik Behavioral Health (NBH), a nationwide network of addiction treatment centers and mental healthcare providers with locations from Florida to California, today announced Jimmy Paylor has received their spotlight award for outstanding contributions in government and community service. This month marks the unofficial start of the election season. One year away from Election Day 2020 and there’s no better time to recognize outstanding community leaders like Jimmy Paylor, say representatives. In partnership with state and local officials, Jimmy’s personal journey to addiction recovery is inspiring lawmakers and elected officials to bring important legislation around addiction treatment and mental health to communities across the country. This month, NBH is recognizing Jimmy and some of the elected officials bringing awareness to the important topics of addiction and mental health.

Jimmy’s story is as bittersweet as it is triumphant and his path to overcome addiction was filled with both heartbreak and redemption. However, Jimmy’s story is not unfamiliar or unusual in 2019. Many thousands of families across this country struggle with addiction every day and the opioid crisis has created catastrophic illness and death in the vast majority of American communities. As civic leaders and politicians struggle with how to cope with the epidemic and save ailing families in their districts, average citizens - quiet heroes, champions, and mentors like Jimmy - are stepping forward to lend a hand to those who are still struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health challenges.

In Jimmy’s home state of Pennsylvania, each day at least 10 people die of heroin or opioid overdose. Jimmy was born into a loving, working-class family with supportive parents. He played sports all through high school and eventually was recruited to play college football in Maryland. In his senior year of college, Jimmy was injured during a game and required surgery. During his recovery, he was prescribed opioids and eventually became addicted to oxycontin.

As he slowly began to realize he had a problem, his life became a self-described “whirlwind.” He was living a lifestyle that was out-of-control and led him to seek recovery in treatment. Jimmy learned he would be a father for the first time at 27 years old and says he knew then that something had to change. He says at that point, he was robbing and stealing from his family. He eventually moved to Florida to get away and focus on himself and his rehabilitation which he acknowledges is a mind, body and spiritual journey. He credits the aftercare plan he received in treatment with helping him reunite with his wife and children after he completed inpatient rehab treatment, outpatient therapy, and sober living.

“Jimmy went to college but he never came back,” Jimmy’s dad once said. Today, Jimmy is helping others who are suffering by sharing his story. Jimmy partnered with Pennsylvania State Senator Larry Farnese for an open house in September to commemorate Overdose Prevention month. The event was free and open to all and included Narcan demonstrations and information on prescription disposal. Community members asked questions about were provided with treatment and counseling resources.

Jimmy also recently shared his compelling story at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to student-athletes and pharmacology majors. His powerful message of overcoming addiction to medication and alcohol following his career-ending sports injury in college clearly impacted the students in a profound way. “His compassion and energy are what really motivated me to want to share my own story and find out more about recovery,” said one student in attendance.

Jimmy Paylor is a certified interventionist and represents Niznik Behavioral Health as a community activist and clinical outreach specialist. NBH is proud of Jimmy’s ongoing commitment to government and civil service on behalf of those suffering with addiction. Often regarded as a voice for the voiceless, friends and neighbors call Jimmy a role model. At NBH, Jimmy is more than that - he’s a true Ambassador for recovery and healing. As the public discusses election season, kick-off campaigns and even honor veterans this November, people are encouraged to be more like Jimmy. “They say in politics, losing is inevitable at some point but when we follow the example of community leaders like Jimmy - speaking out to fight the stigma of addiction together - we all win no matter the election results,” says a representative.

About Niznik Behavioral Health

Niznik Behavioral Health is a national provider of behavioral health services for adolescents and adults with Joint Commission-accredited facilities specializing in the full continuum of care including safe and comfortable medical detox programs, residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP), outpatient (OP) services, as well as assistance with aftercare through our alumni programs.