Living with HIV, Fighting Meth Addiction, and Breaking Stigma | with Rhys Ross
What’s it really like to live with HIV and recover from meth addiction in a world full of stigma?
In this episode of Shts Fcked, Paris sits down with Rhys Ross, Senior HIV Peer Educator at WAAC, to have a powerful and confronting conversation about shame, stigma, and survival.
Rhys opens up about living with HIV, battling internalised stigma, and navigating a healthcare system still clouded by misinformation and outdated views. He also shares his experience with methamphetamine addiction, which compounded feelings of isolation and judgment.
Now a passionate advocate and educator, Rhys is using his story to help others find hope, community, and self-acceptance, while pushing for the education and empathy still missing from many conversations about HIV and substance use.
This episode is for anyone wanting to understand the lived realities of HIV, addiction, and the power of peer support in healing and recovery.
What we cover:
Living with HIV and breaking stigma
Meth addiction and harm reduction
Internalised shame and mental health
Peer education and community support
LGBTQIA+ advocacy and inclusive healthcare
Building resilience through lived experience
