Team T.J.: A Conversation with Taylin McCarver

Join us as Taylin McCarver discusses what it was like to lose a sibling to a substance use disorder, and how Taylin and her family have used that experience to advocate for people with substance use disorders. 

In this episode, Taylin discusses the years leading up to her brother’s death due to substance use. Taylin discusses what it was like observe her brother throughout his battle with a substance use disorder, which started in his teenage years, and how his substance use disorder impacted their entire family. She tells us about the strain that her brother’s substance use put on their family, and how they had to make changes to how they supported him. 

Taylin’s and her family are passionate advocates for recovery and supporting people with substance use disorders. For several years, they have supported APC through the End Addiction Bham (EAB) walk, formerly End Heroin Bham. Taylin and her family formed Team T.J., which is a group comprised of friends and family that participate in End Addiction Bham to remember T.J. Each year, Team T.J. sells t-shirts, and they donate the proceeds to APC to support substance use prevention initiatives in Central Alabama.  

In addition to being a powerful voice for Team T.J., Taylin is an Academic Advisor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Taylin discusses the importance of supporting her students as a whole and not just academically. 

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