Look me straight in the eye and tell me you wasn't addicted to trying to fix one of your loved ones. You're lying if you say you haven't. The truth of the matter is, if your lucky, they'll recover and if your REALLY lucky, you'll recover too.
Being an addict can and WILL consume your every thought, trust me. I know. Just slowly waiting while watching your own physical self and feeling your emotional detachment to everything.
Someone's mother, probably even my own, would stand in the doorway to your bedroom and plea out that she just wants "you" back. She doesn't even understand you want yourself back as well. If you watch the person you love disappear right in front of your eyes long enough, you will start to dissolve too.
Those not directly effected won't be able to understand why you are so focused on your loved ones mental health. Do not become angry. They just truly don't understand. You'll catch yourself wishing you didn't understand either.
Drug addiction has the largest and strongest over-take that I have not only witnessed, but experienced as well. It causes parents to outlive their children, sisters to mourn their siblings, nieces to never meet their aunts, and most importantly, an absence before the exit. You will see them walking, talking, being human, but yes, it is true. We will lose them far before they actually succumb to our demons; which if we don't seek recovery, it's inevitable.
Being an addict causes our families to come to fear of the phone ringing, knocks on the door, vogue obituaries, even as to read papers stating, "Died Suddenly: Another Young Person Found Dead From An Over-Dose." Bedrooms and social media's are now just a memorial for us. As it seems like yesterday's outnumbered the tomorrows and praying knees seems like the only thing left at times....
