Joe Swanson, 34, almost one year of sobriety.
Swanson shows the tattoo he got in remembrance of his niece, Chelcee, and mother. When Chelcee became sober, she studied to become a medical assistant before she relapsed.
Joe speaks with his older sister, Christine, after a meeting at Seattle Area Support Groups. Christine recently lost her daughter, Chelcee, to a drug overdose and was planning a Celebration of Life for her. While Swanson remains close with his family, his sister and him have a strained relationship. Joe spoke to her about their recent unfriending on Facebook over hurtful comments she made. He also asked if he could invite sober friends to the funeral for moral support.
Joe breaks down after listening to his family speak about the death of his niece, Chelcee. Chelcee died of herion overdose in her home in March, less than two months after his mother passed away.
Photos of Chelcee line the wall at her Celebration of Life. Chelcee was 25 when she passed and left behind a 3-year-old son.
Swanson leaves King County Superior Court after his monthly check in with his Drug Court judge. A few levels down in the same building is where Swanson was put in jail and attempted suicide by overdose. Reflecting on the time, he said his mother and writing poetry is what kept him going and wanting to live.
Joe vapes outside with family friends at the community center where his niece's Celebration of Life is held. Swanson had quit smoking for two weeks with the help of a patch, and was hoping to eventually wean off his nicotine addiction. He started smoking again a few weeks later.
Joe embraces friends outside Seattle Area Support Groups, a recovery program in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Swanson's counselors described his progress as a miracle. According to Swanson, he "practically lives there."
Joe heads to the batting cages after his niece's Celebration of Life. "There's a good time for everything," Swanson said about being at the batting cages.
Joe cleans a furniture store in Wallingford once a week for extra money. With his criminal record, Swanson has a hard time finding a job. For his other work, he runs a painting company that he is attempting to make an official business.
Joe receives a 'Certificate of Accomplishment' at King County Courthouse in front of family, friends and mentors for completing Drug Diversion Court.
Joe says goodbye to a family friend's son after Chelcee's Celebration of Life in Renton.