WHY WE'RE HERE & OUR TEAM
In the Nick of Time was established in memory of Nick Tshonas who passed away on September 4, 2023, at 24 years old.
Unfortunately, for our family and the many families who have gone through the same, Nick's story is one of depression (or any mental illness) leading to self-medicating leading to addiction leading to a family's worst nightmare.
Nick began to show the effects of depression in his early teens and consistently struggled with the symptoms. Despite attempts to treat his symptoms, the results from treatment were inconsistent. At times, he was able to manage his illness fairly well. At times, it was difficult at best. Not unlike many teenagers who experiment with alcohol and/or drugs, Nick did the same. However, his reasons centered around relief from his symptoms from his depression. He had two episodes of depression during high school that were debilitating. He continued to work hard to get through high school as "normally" as he possibly could. He was a four-year varsity golfer and four-year varsity hockey player, and one of the team's captains in his senior year - all while struggling with his illness of depression.
He continued to work hard through his college years as "normally" as he possibly could - starting at UMass Amherst before transferring to UConn. Working through his continued depression he culminated his time at UConn by earning straights A's in both the fall and spring semesters of his senior year in all of his courses and earning Dean's list. Prior to graduation, he was offered a position at a national insurance brokerage in their career development program. He graduated with a B.S. in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
Upon graduation, his casual use of substances began to slowly increase. Despite that, he was establishing himself as thoughtful, capable, knowledgeable and professional within his new organization. In the early part of 2023, he recognized his usage had turned into addiction and had overtaken him.
He courageously (this word is not used as matter of fact in this context) sought to get help for his addiction, knowing that his life depended on it. He was away for about 18 weeks working to rewire the attachment the drugs had worked into his body and his brain. During that time, we were told how Nick would take a leadership role in some of the group meetings, helping others to talk things through and work on themselves towards getting themselves back. That was our Nick, very caring, very thoughtful and very supportive and encouraging of others.
Nick took a 4-day break from the program to come home, get some more of his things, regroup and get ready to head back out to start the next phase of his journey towards a better way of life. He was looking forward to finding what worked for him and finding his passion. Unfortunately, while back in Ellington, with the familiar pull of the surroundings, he relapsed.
Relapse, in many ways, is almost expected for those in recovery. And in most cases that relapse simply means a new starting point towards managing your illness and recovery. However, for the last many years, the introduction of fentanyl into nearly all illegal narcotics has been a devastating game-changer to those in recovery who relapse. Nearly 100,000 people in this country die from fentanyl every year. For every 1 that die, 7 more are saved by Narcan to reverse the effect of fentanyl. Staggering numbers...
Your support allows us to create awareness, provide education, and make known resources - all in an attempt to remove the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and addiction, both in the community and amongst parents themselves.
Please be a part of the solution to remove the stigma to allow families to help their children manage their illnesses and have the peace they all deserve.
Your donation is tax-deductible We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
Unfortunately, for our family and the many families who have gone through the same, Nick's story is one of depression (or any mental illness) leading to self-medicating leading to addiction leading to a family's worst nightmare.
Nick began to show the effects of depression in his early teens and consistently struggled with the symptoms. Despite attempts to treat his symptoms, the results from treatment were inconsistent. At times, he was able to manage his illness fairly well. At times, it was difficult at best. Not unlike many teenagers who experiment with alcohol and/or drugs, Nick did the same. However, his reasons centered around relief from his symptoms from his depression. He had two episodes of depression during high school that were debilitating. He continued to work hard to get through high school as "normally" as he possibly could. He was a four-year varsity golfer and four-year varsity hockey player, and one of the team's captains in his senior year - all while struggling with his illness of depression.
He continued to work hard through his college years as "normally" as he possibly could - starting at UMass Amherst before transferring to UConn. Working through his continued depression he culminated his time at UConn by earning straights A's in both the fall and spring semesters of his senior year in all of his courses and earning Dean's list. Prior to graduation, he was offered a position at a national insurance brokerage in their career development program. He graduated with a B.S. in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
Upon graduation, his casual use of substances began to slowly increase. Despite that, he was establishing himself as thoughtful, capable, knowledgeable and professional within his new organization. In the early part of 2023, he recognized his usage had turned into addiction and had overtaken him.
He courageously (this word is not used as matter of fact in this context) sought to get help for his addiction, knowing that his life depended on it. He was away for about 18 weeks working to rewire the attachment the drugs had worked into his body and his brain. During that time, we were told how Nick would take a leadership role in some of the group meetings, helping others to talk things through and work on themselves towards getting themselves back. That was our Nick, very caring, very thoughtful and very supportive and encouraging of others.
Nick took a 4-day break from the program to come home, get some more of his things, regroup and get ready to head back out to start the next phase of his journey towards a better way of life. He was looking forward to finding what worked for him and finding his passion. Unfortunately, while back in Ellington, with the familiar pull of the surroundings, he relapsed.
Relapse, in many ways, is almost expected for those in recovery. And in most cases that relapse simply means a new starting point towards managing your illness and recovery. However, for the last many years, the introduction of fentanyl into nearly all illegal narcotics has been a devastating game-changer to those in recovery who relapse. Nearly 100,000 people in this country die from fentanyl every year. For every 1 that die, 7 more are saved by Narcan to reverse the effect of fentanyl. Staggering numbers...
Your support allows us to create awareness, provide education, and make known resources - all in an attempt to remove the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and addiction, both in the community and amongst parents themselves.
Please be a part of the solution to remove the stigma to allow families to help their children manage their illnesses and have the peace they all deserve.
Your donation is tax-deductible We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
OUR TEAM
Exec Director - Peter Tshonas, Ellington CT Director - Rachel Tshonas, Boston MA
Secretary - MaryKay Tshonas, Ellington CT Director - John Tshonas, Brewster MA
Treasurer - Mary McCormick, Wilbraham, MA Director - Sam Knox, Cranston RI
Director - Lisa Tshonas Wilson, Ellington CT Director - Jesse Peters, Windsor Locks CT
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DONATE BY CHECK:
Make payable to: In the NICK of Time Mail check to: In the NICK of Time c/o Peter Tshonas 7 Shepard Way Ellington, CT 06029 |