Five people died of a drug overdose in Perry County alone last month ... a third of what the coroner usually sees in a whole year.
In the first of a two-part series, we meet a longtime addict determined to stay sober, and find out what you can do to help others struggling during the holidays.

41-year-old J.R. Durham spent more than half his life in and out of prison and rehab. His treatment at the Westcare facility is his last chance to avoid life behind bars.

Durham says, "I was a slave to my addiction."

On holidays, Durham says he did not care whether he lived or died.

Westcare Clinical Director Mike Williams says, "An addict, the only coping skill that they've had since they started their addiction is drugs."

Drugs drowned out Durham's loneliness.

"I guess for a drug addict that's a time to party, you know," Durham explains.

Now Durham's darkest memories are helping him stay sober.

He says, "The feeling that you get, you know, I try to hold on to it and remember it because I know i don't want to feel that way again."

Williams says families of addicts should watch for signs of increased withdrawal or asking for money instead of gifts, and should spend more time together.

Williams says, "Nowadays we're starting to get away from honoring traditions with families and families are not gathering like they did, and that's more hurtful than anything."

And he urges those struggling to reach out; if not to a relative, than to a church leader or neighbor.

"No one human being is strong enough to kick addiction on their own. You've got to reach out for help," says Durham.

Durham sobered up about the same time his daughter was born.

"I look at them pictures and this is my first, you know," he says.

And he knows being a dad means staying sober: "92 days today," he says, especially during the holidays.

Those staying sober still face holiday loneliness and depression.
Tomorrow we'll meet a man who lost his job and family to alcohol abuse ... and now volunteers to keep his demons at bay.