This is a partnered post with The Recovery Village.
I have openly shared my story with addiction. At 18 months old, I was placed in foster care, and at only age 10, I first learned what addiction was like when I met my father.
At that time, my sister and I lived with my aunt and uncle, and my dad decided to stay with us. But that lasted only six months.
After school one day, my sister and I went to find him. My sister discovered that he was sleeping. But when we tried to wake him up, he never did. My father had passed away from a drug overdose.
His passing was my first, real-life experience with addiction, and unfortunately, it didn’t end there.
The photo below of my mother-in-law with our oldest daughter speaks of this fight. Our whole family suffered when she lost her battle with addiction several years ago.
The good news is addiction doesn’t have to control the destiny of your family’s future.
When my husband and I first met, we discovered that we had similar experiences with addiction, as we were both raised by parents who struggled with drug dependency.
By sharing our stories with each other, we’ve been able to learn from our experiences, create a deep, emotional connection, and nurture a loving family environment free from the struggles of addiction.
So whether someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, or if you’re suffering from addictive behavior yourself, I want you to know getting help and overcoming addiction is possible.
It’s all about healing, and being willing to give help to those who need it and accept help if you need it yourself.
Has your life been affected by addiction?
Video courtesy of The Recovery Village
I find there’s a lot of shame involved when we talk openly about our relationships to people with addiction. I can imagine if I’m shamed for my parent having been an addict, how much harder that must be for addicts to come forward and seek help. Thank you for sharing your story <3
Addiction is hard subject to speak of but I know of plenty of people who fight this battle everyday. It’s sad but it’s a choice they make. You’re not born with it.
Thankfully, no one in our family has been to any kind of addiction, but I know families who have been to it and it was difficult seeing it. Thank you for sharing this.
Sharing about things like this is VERY important. It is when people bottle everything up that problems arise. Good for you!
I’m glad you are helping others through writing about your own personal story… those stories are the ones that help save others that can relate… nice post!
I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through seeing addition wreck your family like that at such a young age. Addiction is a disease, but is often not recognized as such and the people suffering go without help. Thank you for being brave enough to share your story!
There is a lot of support available for family and friends of an addict. It is such a difficult road to walk. Support is so important.
Addiction is hard to deal with, especially when it affects the ones you love. I think the only way to help someone is them sinking rock bottom and having to realize for themselves thst they actually need and want the help. We’ve dealt with this with one of my siblings and you can’t help those that don’t want it or take it.
Thank you for shedding light on this. Addiction and other mental health issues are not easy to deal with – for the person living with them or for their loved ones. That’s why bringing awareness to them and letting people know how to help or get help is important.
Dealing with addiction is really tough. My brother’s friend passed away a few years ago because of drug overdose. Having a supportive family and a strong support group is important. It’s good to know there are institutions like this for people who need help.
This is a very great post. I think it’s extremely hard to know someone with an addiction. It can be tough trying to help them. Most of the times they don’t really think they have an addiction, so it’s hard to help them overcome it.
Addiction is so hard. Plus, there are a ton of different types of addiction too. I am so glad there is more people sharing their story. It helps raise awareness. There is a ton of help our there too. The stigma is gone when people are admitted these days. Before people were hush hush because it was considered embarrassing.
It is so hard to deal with addiction. My sister and brother-in-law are dealing with someone in his family now with problems. It’s so sad.
Addiction effects so many people and in a lot of different ways. I love that there is help out there when we need it.
It is sad how few resources that there can be for families dealing with addiction. I love that you and your husband are able to share your stories to help others going through the same thing. It’s especially hard when kids are involved in the situation.
Addiction is so hard to deal with. I am glad you are able to share your story to help others.
I first learned about addiction when I was 12. I had 2 uncles who were drug dependent. Addiction is a terrible thing. It affects the whole family.
This is such an important subject, sadly many don’t comprehend just how bad addiction is for the person who is addicted. I have seen judgement and bad behavior towards those who suffer from an addiction and it makes me sad, we need to stand together to support people who suffer from addiction and allow them to find their light!
Addiction is a terrible problem. Thank you for sharing your family’s story and addiction can be overcome.
Addiction is a very terrible thing but it can be overcome. It brings stress on everyone and a good support system can also help those struggling with addiction.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I know how hard that can be. As I also love someone with an addiction.
Addiction is tough for the addicted and their family members. I had a friend way back when who had a serious problem, and it infected everything around him. It was very sad.