Growing Up in a Drug Rehab: Jonathan Tepper’s Story of Love, Loss, & Addiction
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Growing Up in a Drug Rehab: Jonathan Tepper’s Story of Love, Loss, & Addiction
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Summary
What happens when childhood is shaped by heroin addiction, the AIDS crisis, and radical compassion?
On this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome Jonathan Tepper, author of Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Addiction. Raised in Madrid’s San Blas neighborhood—once known as a notorious drug slum—Tepper grew up inside one of Spain’s first drug rehabilitation centers, founded by his missionary parents.
In this deeply moving conversation, we explore childhood trauma, addiction recovery, grief, empathy, resilience, and the transformative power of love. Jonathan shares what it was like to lose friends to heroin and AIDS, how suffering shaped his worldview, and why compassion—not punishment—is key to addressing addiction.
This is not just a story about drugs. It’s a story about redemption, humanity, and choosing love in the face of loss.
If you’ve been touched by addiction, grief, or the longing for deeper empathy in today’s world, this episode is your daily dose of Radio Rehab.
Original Airdate: 2/20/2026