BUZZ BLOG

LOCALS SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORIES ON NATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

Written by Brittany Styles on August 31, 2023

Today, we had the pleasure of meeting two incredibly brave and compassionate individuals – Jake Vosseteig and Jake Lorenz. These men have faced numerous challenges, including drug addiction, legal troubles, homelessness, and even near-fatal overdoses. They graciously joined our show on National Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) to share their personal experiences and offer hope to others who may be struggling with similar issues. Their goal is to raise awareness and promote understanding of the realities of addiction and overdose.

Jake Lorenz shared his story of homelessness, drug addiction, fatherhood struggles, familial estrangement, and legal problems while surviving on the streets of La Crosse. After having gone through the foster care system in Houston, MN, he is now employed at the Driftless Recovery Services, where he was once a resident. He’s been sober for four years and is now dedicated to helping others facing similar issues.

Jake Vosseteig had issues with anxiety as a teen, which led him to take Xanax for relief. He soon became hooked on the drug, which led him to explore other drugs, including Meth and Heroin. He and his twin brother used drugs together and after several drug overdoses, Jake reached out to Driftless Recovery Services for support. It’s been a bumpy road, but he’s been sober for five months, now gets to see his daughter regularly, and is living at the facility and participating in therapy and treatment.