Ryan's Story
Ryan Jeffrey Hall was a young and energetic 27-year-old with a great sense of humor. He loved playing and watching sports, listening to many genres of music, playing his guitar, having jam sessions with his dad and playing video games. He worked for his father’s company in many different areas. He was a great customer service rep, a Respiratory tech, delivery driver and educator. He loved helping people in need and aspired to lead the company one day.
Through the years Ryan became distant from family, work and friends. He was often calling in sick and would no-show at family gatherings. His father became concerned with Ryan’s ongoing illness and took him to several doctors to find what was causing his stomach issues and being incapacitated. Ryan went through scopes, MRI, CT Scans and nothing was ever found, all normal. We became concerned and started asking his brothers and friends if Ryan was on drugs. No one could confirm if he was as no one really saw Ryan anymore.
After a last-minute cancellation by Ryan to join a family getaway, we were shocked and saddened to come home to find that someone had broken into the house and numerous valuables were missing. Although it was an alarming and much violated feeling, the way in which they entered the home didn’t make sense and it became clear this had to be someone we knew – Ryan. We were flooded with feelings of denial – this was not the Ryan we knew. Why would he steal from us? He knew we were always there for him. When Ryan was finally able to be confronted of the situation, he continued to act very defensive & erratic and would abruptly end the phone calls – only finally admitting to the act after the police were called. When Ryan showed up to talk to the officers, we knew that he was on something. He was given an ultimatum by the responding officer to confess what drugs he was on and get help, or go to jail. Ryan confessed to using heroin. Our worst nightmares were coming to life and we were devastated. So many questions followed - How did he get involved with this drug? Who introduced him to it? How long has he been using, and most importantly how do we get him clean and deter his future use? These and many more questions we asked ourselves. Heroin does not discriminate. Age, race, gender, social status – none of it matters.
Ryan was admitted into Hazelden Treatment Center; one of the few that allow addicts to detox and go right into treatment. We met with counselors to get a better understanding of the process. Ryan was very upset with our family, and the counselor simply stated, “You took away his best friend”. Heroin had become Ryan’s best friend. Heroin took a wonderful, perfectly great kid and completely turned him into someone we didn’t know.
The Stigma that goes along with having an addict as a loved one had us protecting our family from anyone ever knowing about it. This was the wrong approach to take. After treatment, Ryan relapsed and we knew we needed help. We needed family and everyone Ryan knew to know he was using heroin. Unfortunately during this process we found some people already knew about his addiction, but never said anything because they were afraid to confront him or get involved. Ryan was kicked out of his mother’s house for stealing. His relapse showed no mercy, and was constantly using his drug. It took many weeks to get Ryan to realize he needed help and finally we believed he had hit rock bottom. Arrangements were made for Ryan to get help at a 90-day inpatient program at Desert Hope Treatment Center in Nevada; he was released after 30-days. Each time Ryan came out of previous treatment facilities, he stayed with family. This time he was headed to sober living.
We got Ryan into Serenity Village on April 27th of 2016, his golden birthday; Serenity Village provides a faith-based sober living environment. Ryan embraced the faith-based treatment and attended all (and sometimes more) required meetings. He got a job as a painter and was starting to save money. Ryan was always there for people in need; helping them to embrace a sober lifestyle and prevent relapse. Pastor Jeff Hill at Serenity Village said Ryan was in the top 3 of the thousands that had gone through the program. He was always volunteering his time to the church and helped and supported others.
Ryan talked about getting away with family and had requested time off in September for the Labor Day Holiday. He walked into the lake house that September afternoon and for the first time in a very long time we could see the Ryan we knew. His clear-eyed million-dollar smile was back! We had a great several days as a family, making lots of wonderful memories. When Ryan was dropped off at the sober house a few days later, his father gave him a big hug and told Ryan he was proud of him, and to continue to find the strength for sobriety. “I will dad, love you”, Ryan replied. He didn’t think this would be the last hug he would ever give his son. Ryan’s mom spoke with him later that day, him telling her that he had met someone special and asking that she bring him some homemade cookies, a banana cream pie, and a few meals to share with his roommates. They made plans to meet that Sunday, September 11.
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On September 11, 2016 at 12:25 AM there was a missed a call and a voice message from Officer Albers asking if I was Ryan Hall’s father, requesting a call back. Immediately I thought that Ryan had relapsed and got caught with his drug; so I called and was not prepared for what I heard. Officer Albers answered the phone right away, and after confirming I was Ryan Hall’s father, he replied “Mr. Hall I am sorry, but your son is dead”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I started screaming that this could not be true! Ryan was finally in such a great place in life - he could not be gone. Nothing can prepare you for the moment you walk in to the funeral home basement and see your child on a table covered in a blanket. Why, Ry? Why didn’t you get help? Why wasn’t anyone there for you that day when you needed support? It was a parent’s worst nightmare
Ryan died on September 10, 2016 of Acute Heroin Toxicity. He was found alone in the basement of his sober-living home, 24-hours after overdosing. There was no one to help him like he had helped many. Losing Ryan was the most tragic experience any parent could endure, and knowing he spent his last minutes alone just adds to the hurt. What we wouldn’t give for one:
One more day.
One more hug.
One more laugh.
One more phone call.
One more lifetime.
If you’re reading this, and are in search of assistance for yourself or someone in your life, Ry’s Hope Foundation is here to help. Because the moment you think you’re fine, is the moment you’re not. We are here for you on your journey to sobriety.
Our Mission
Ry’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit that offers guidance and financial support to those that have completed at least 30 days of treatment and wish to continue their recovery in Sober Housing.
How We Can Help
If you need assistance locating a Sober House, links are provided or you may complete a Request for Help form and one of our volunteers will contact you to provide assistance.
If you need financial assistance to start your journey to recovery thru Sober Living, please complete a Request for Help form.
Financial assistance is based on funds available.