To the Family of an Addicted Loved One

Dear Family of an Addicted Soul,

I am so, so sorry. I’m sorry that whatever their drug of choice is has destroyed the image you had of your loved one forever. I pray that this letter brings you even a moment of peace when it feels like life is changing too fast to keep up.

I’ll start by saying, I know firsthand how you’re feeling. Meth is running rampant across the country right now and unfortunately it has touched my family... A family member of mine (whose identity I will not disclose) has lost custody of their children due to their use of the disgusting drug that is Methamphetamine. As a mother to an 8-month-old beautiful baby boy, I have a hard time understanding why ANYONE would choose drugs over their kids. I guess it’s hard to understand addiction when you aren’t addicted.

Addiction is ugly. It truly turns the person you knew into a cold, empty shell of who they were. They’ll do anything to get that “fix.” They have no remorse for the things they’ll do or say in the process. Just know that it isn’t them, it’s the drug. If you’ve ever had to intervene in an addicted person’s life choices, you’re no stranger to the evil things they’ll say to you. Keep helping them. Do not step back when they say those vile things to you. That’s exactly what they want. They want you to leave them alone so they can continue down their destructive path. It’s easier to ruin your life without people watching. They don’t want to feel the guilt of you watching them destroy themselves.

Despite the ugly part, I want you to know that this isn’t your fault. If you weren’t holding the lighter or the needle, etc., for them, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. An addict will blame anybody they can for their choices but it was THEIR CHOICE to continue doing that drug... Some people try to carry the burden and guilt of a loved one’s addiction, and that just isn’t fair. You are not to blame here.

When your life is rocked by the reality of somebody you love being addicted to any substance, it’s easy to think you could’ve prevented it somehow. But who knows if you could’ve done anything to help them? Who knows if they were predestined to be an addict? What matters now is getting them the help they need and staying strong in the meantime. Remember them as they were, before drugs entered their life. Remember that there was a period without drugs and with the right help, there very well could be a time like that again.

I am rooting for all of the addicted souls who are trying to get clean. It’s not easy but with the right family/friend support systems, it IS possible. I pray that your loved one turns their life around, sooner rather than later. I pray that you find solace knowing that you are not at fault and that they can still be saved from themselves, if they are willing. I pray that you can see past who they’ve become and help them become who they were, before drugs.

I choose to believe that things will get better. I choose to hope that one day each and every one of us won’t have to feel the hurt that comes with addiction. But for now, I will be praying for recovery and healing for everyone in this web of addiction. I am sorry that addiction has touched so many lives including yours and mine. I hope that our loved ones come back to us healthy and whole again some day, very soon.

Sending good vibes always ~

Love & Light,

Olivia