A West Virginia man who began using marijuana at just 12 years old is now celebrating seven years of sobriety after conquering a life-threatening addiction that left him scarred—both physically and emotionally.
Hunter Michael-Shepard, 30, from Parkersburg, West Virginia, spiraled into substance abuse throughout his teenage years and early adulthood, eventually becoming addicted to meth, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and ketamine. He spent 11 years and thousands of dollars on drugs and alcohol, desperately seeking relief. But after dozens of failed attempts at rehab and brushes with death, Hunter made a final stand against his addiction in February 2018—and never looked back.
Today, he’s not just surviving—he’s thriving, turning his past pain into purpose as a sober transporter, interventionist, and influencer who helps connect others to the recovery services they need.
“I used to take drugs every single day,” Hunter said. “I couldn’t go a day without it. I’d use anything I could get my hands on.”
A Long Descent into Addiction
Hunter’s story began with early experimentation—alcohol and marijuana at 12, driven by underlying mental health struggles. By his early twenties, the stakes had escalated.
“I was in and out of psychosis for two years,” he recalled. “I went to 26 different rehab facilities, but none of them taught me how to actually live sober.”
At his lowest point, Hunter was sleeping only three days in a three-week stretch, hallucinating, and wasting away—losing over 40 pounds. “It was pretty rough,” he said. “I had both visual and auditory hallucinations. It wore me out, physically and mentally.”
Rock Bottom to Redemption
Hunter tried 26 different rehabilitation centers before finally getting clean in 2018—after going to a detox facility and completing 90 days of rehab. He also worked with a psychiatrist to help aid his recovery.
“This really highlighted these issues and these links to what made me want to do what I do now,” he said. “I get so many people reaching out to me or their loved ones. I get hundreds of messages a day between all of my platforms.”
Now, Hunter has found new meaning in his life by supporting others who are on the same path he once walked. With over 1.1 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, he regularly shares personal reflections, success stories, and resources.
“This job keeps me sober,” he said. “It helps me be a better person, and it holds me accountable.”
Helping Others Heal
Through his platform, Hunter now connects people—often family members of those struggling—to local detox and inpatient services. He sees his role not only as a guide but also as a bridge to community.
“We become isolated and alone, and the main thing is to be connected,” Hunter said. “Whether it’s directly helping or just educating, it’s been thousands of people. The best part is the transformations.”
A Voice for Change
Hunter’s advocacy extends beyond one-on-one support. He’s using his experience to highlight the flaws in America’s rehab system, calling for better standards, oversight, and education.
“There are a lot of bad treatment centers in the U.S.,” he said. “Going through them showed me what real recovery should look like—and it’s why I do what I do now.”
Today, Hunter continues to grow his platform and remains committed to his mission: connecting, inspiring, and healing—one person at a time.
To learn more or reach out to Hunter directly, visit:
🌐 www.huntermichaelshepard.com
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