SPOKANE, Wash. – Less than a year ago, Michelle Alderson was a normal single mother of four on the outside, but internally she was struggling with a crippling opioid addiction.

“I tried to get help and I couldn’t find it locally,” Alderson said.

It wasn’t until Alderson hit rock bottom, that she finally started seeing a life beyond drugs.

“My daughters were home with me, I had gotten off of work and I went into my room and accidentally overdosed with a torch in my hand,” she said. “I lit myself on fire and my daughters (saw) the smoke coming out from under my door. My 13 year old at the time had to kick in the door and she shielded her 12-year-old sister from seeing me, they grabbed me, they pulled me out of the fire and they called 911.”

That date, June 11, 2023, is a constant reminder to Alderson of her addiction, which almost took her life. Another constant reminder, the right side of her face, disfigured due to burn damages from the torch.

While the incident brought her incredibly close to death, Alderson somewhat sees is as a moment of rebirth.

“Without the fire, I would’ve stayed dead,” she said. “Without the overdose I think I would still be in active addiction because I couldn’t find the help I needed.”

Alderson hopes she can help guide people like her to resources in the future, to help solve opioid addictions and reduce opioid-related deaths in Spokane County, of which there were an estimated 180 last year.

“I see the effects of my choices every single day on the eyes of my four kids, of my grandparents, of my mother,” she said. “But I can do something to change (to help) another mother or daughter out there like me. (Anyone) can reach out to me if needed to get some help.”