TIFTON — Scott Cochran’s journey over the past few years is still a bit unbelievable to him.

In early 2020, Cochran was on top of the world. A heralded assistant coach of Nick Saban’s Alabama staff, Kirby Smart had just lured him away to the University of Georgia.

But Cochran was holding on to a secret, an opioid addiction that nearly took away everything from him, including his life. Cochran eventually opened up to Smart and they quietly arranged a leave of absence before he took an off-the-field role with the Bulldogs.

Cochran stepped down from the role earlier this year. Recently, he went public with his addiction and is now using his experiences, paired with the natural gift of gab from a coaching career to work with others.

“I knew in the back of my mind, I needed to help people,” said Cochran during an appearance at Tifton’s Oasis Recovery Community Organization last week. “This has given me so many ways of doing that on a national level.”

Cochran’s opioid use began years earlier as a treatment for migraines. He said he was warned at the time that they may be addictive, but his ego wouldn’t let him hear it.

Escalating use of opioids was wearing on him and he took the job at Georgia for a change in scene, to try to get away from his addiction.

“Then covid hit,” said Cochran. One week after he arrived in Athens in 2020, everything shut down. He had not sold his house yet, so it was back to Alabama. Back home, “I overdosed,” he said. “My wife found me overdosed.”

Cochran went to rehab but kept his secret. He didn’t even tell Smart. From rehab, Cochran kept in contact with coworkers and players, doing so with his background blurred. “It was a tough period, but I felt like ‘OK, I can do this,’” he said.

Two months later, Cochran relapsed. He admitted the season as special teams coordinator wasn’t his best, though the players themselves were incredible.

“We had a lot of success,” he said. “Little did anybody know, I was struggling.”

In June 2021, Cochran told Smart he needed extensive help. “[Smart] was very supportive,” said Cochran.

Cochran went to rehab again, though the reason for his absence was not made public. Will Muschamp stepped in for Cochran until October, when he returned to the team. Sobriety held longer. Then came another setback.

He said he realized, “It’s time to really make a change.”

Soon, Cochran met Jeff Breedlove. The two are now part of American Addiction Recovery Association (AARA). Now, he’s no longer quiet about his addiction.

“We’re going to eliminate the whisper,” Cochran said. The phrase, he said, is crucial. “I’ve been a screamer my entire career. I’m a screamer! And we’re going to eliminate the whisper.”

Breedlove, who is the chief executive officer of AARA, facilitated a connection with Tifton’s Judge Herby Benson and Oasis. “They’re doing incredible things,” said Cochran about Oasis.

Three things make AARA different than other programs, said Breedlove. He said what they will do for addiction is comparable to what the Susan G. Komen foundation did for breast cancer awareness and resources.

“There is no group out there on the national stage that brings in the families who have been impacted with the survivor themselves, and combines those two perspectives and those two voices,” Breedlove said.

Another difference, he said, is “We’re going to be a group that looks holistically and says you’ve got to respect all parts of the disease.” Recovery, prevention and treatment are equally important, Breedlove said.

AARA has been meeting with congresspeople, state leaders and business leaders, including in Atlanta in June.

The organization will have its first ever public event Oct. 2 in Tifton, said Breedlove. Rep. Austin Scott will be present for a community conversation.

September and October will have a number of recovery-related events in Tifton, including Recovery Fest at Fulwood Park Sept. 7 and a bus stop with a focus on veterans Sept. 23. Benson said September is Recovery Month.

Cochran said he realizes the importance of his voice. “No one had a clue about my battle,” he said. “This disease is terrifying.” Cochran said 200 Americans die each day from addiction, comparing those numbers to an airplane full of a football team, staff and boosters, but happening daily.

“That’s why this is so crucial to eliminate the whisper,” said Cochran. “Gotta erase this stigma.”

He shared other statistics, 46 million Americans in active addiction, 29 million more in recovery. “Think about it, this is not just an individual disease,” said Cochran. “This affects the entire family.” Adding another two people affected by each person’s addiction — “Minimum,” added Breedlove — the number rises to hundreds of millions.