Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Guerra.
Hi Thomas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I began drinking and using at the age of 15. From then on, I began the cycle of consequences that included arrests, psych wards, lost jobs, and lost relationships. My addiction had convinced me that going back to school or achieving success was far beyond my capabilities.
However, everything changed when I finally entered sustained recovery. It was at that point that I mustered the courage to go back to school and pursue my Associate’s Degree. I had initially started that degree in 2001, but it took me until 2013 to finally obtain it. That was the turning point when I began to believe in myself again.
From there, I continued my educational journey, earning my Bachelor’s degree in 2015 and my Master’s degree in mental health counseling in 2018 from FIU. It was a remarkable transformation—from being in the depths of active addiction and facing three DUIs to embracing recovery and attaining three college degrees. However, my path was not without its challenges.
During my pursuit of my Bachelor’s degree, I experienced a relapse that led to a temporary halt in my studies. I lost my job and my girlfriend left with our daughter. During a period of wanting to get help, I went to the campus counseling office, where I was told that there was no recovery support. This setback caused me to fall deeper into my relapse. Thankfully, with the support of friends in recovery, I managed to regain my sobriety.
When I embarked on my graduate degree, I saw an opportunity to make a difference. I founded Panthers for Recovery, an organization dedicated to supporting students in recovery on campus. Through this student organization, I discovered the true meaning of service and found my purpose. My experience with Panthers for Recovery would later shape my journey as I went on to establish the Miami Recovery Project, one of Miami’s first recovery community organizations.
I also embarked on a journey with the creation of F Fentanyl in 2023. Drawing from my own experiences and the challenges I encountered during my recovery, I saw a pressing need to make a difference in the field of overdose prevention. Fueled by a deep sense of purpose, I founded F Fentanyl to address the devastating impact of fentanyl and other potent opioids.
Through this organization, I have been committed to providing comprehensive resources, education, and support to those affected by substance use and overdose. My personal experience with addiction and recovery has shaped my understanding and empathy for others. With F Fentanyl, I aim to make a positive impact by saving lives, supporting recovery, and advocating for a safer and healthier future for all.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t all been easy. I had a reoccurrence of substance use when I was studying at FIU and I fell very fast.
During that time I lost my job, and dropped out of school, and my girlfriend at the time, left with my daughter. It was a tough time but I know now that it made me stronger in my recovery. Luckily, I got back into recovery with the help of friends.
Most recently I had the betrayal of friends/staff at my former nonprofit. I learned a lot from this situation and became a lot stronger as a direct result. I almost fell into using again but I had family, real friends, and my girlfriend to help me bounce back. I learned that you can help and so much for someone, but not all people will be thankful.
Some people will be jealous of you and believe that they deserve what you have. I learned to be careful of who I trust and now I can use my new knowledge and strength towards my new nonprofit.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about F Fentanyl Inc?
F Fentanyl Inc. is a new organization dedicated to addressing the devastating impact of fentanyl and other potent opioids. We instantly stand out because of our name which stands for Fuck Fentanyl. Along the way, we have added multiple meanings to the F in F Fentanyl like Fight Fentanyl or Freedom from Fentanyl. The F stands for whatever you want.
We specialize in overdose prevention, harm reduction, and providing comprehensive resources, education, and support to individuals and communities affected by substance use. What sets us apart from others is our commitment to meeting people where they are and showing them compassion regardless if they want to stop using drugs.
As a brand, we take immense pride in our ability to save lives, empower individuals, and make a positive impact on the community. We are driven by a strong sense of purpose, fueled by my personal experience in active addiction and recovery.
We want your readers to know that F Fentanyl Inc. is here to support anyone who uses drugs regardless if they want help stopping them. We offer a wide range of harm reduction services, including overdose prevention training, access to naloxone (Narcan), community outreach, and linkage to recovery support. Our focus is harm reduction and to ensure that people don’t die from using drugs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I would say luck which I prefer to call God has been a major factor in my life and my nonprofit. I found recovery because I had the willingness to change and I connected with the right people at the right time.
I thought I had extremely bad luck at the beginning of this year when I lost my first nonprofit and my best friends turned against me when I needed them the most. Thinking back now, it was probably one of the best things to happen to me. I learned about trust, jealousy, and resilience.
I learned that some people will wait for you to fall to take advantage and others will be there to help you up. I was able to bounce back from a very difficult situation thanks to my family, my real friends, and my girlfriend. I learned that tough times make tough people.
Contact Info:
- Website: f-fent.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f_fent_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ffentanyl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ffentanyl/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/f_fent_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjPdtx6PQ2uFyFY4Op2ChYw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@f_fent_
