Hearing about any artist suffering from addiction (and even worse, losing their battle) is an eye-opening thing. It makes you realize that they, too, are just people. People that are hurting from what's happened in their lives, and that are looking for some type of relief. For happiness -- which, really, is what we're all searching for.

Mac Miller's death was an absolute tragedy, and while many of us have come together in support of his friends and family at this time, there are also those that are instead throwing blame, specifically on his ex-girlfriend and artist, Ariana Grande. They had broken up in May of this past year after about two years of dating. Shortly after their break-up was confirmed, Mac was arrested for driving under the influence and a hit-and-run, totaling his car. Grande was also confirmed as dating comedian, Pete Davidson, around this time and, by June, the pair were engaged. Following statements that Ariana was to blame for her ex-boyfriend's crash, the singer sent out this message in response:

I know what it's like to date an addict, and it's honestly heartbreaking to watch a person that you love so much rely on something so terrible for them. I'm not exaggerating when I say that addiction is horrendous. When I say that it destroys you when you have to beg them to stop using something that their body physically craves so badly. That they don't think that they can stop. That relationship can become toxic to even be a part of, because that person changes so much throughout the course of their addiction, so much to the point that you can't even recognize them anymore. Eventually, it breaks your spirit as well as theirs, and eventually, you have to let go for the sake of your own sanity and mental health. It doesn't mean that you don't love the person still, but it means that you're putting your own needs first and that you can't just sit there anymore and watch them destroy themselves.

Putting blame on a woman for putting herself first and ending a toxic relationship is just as bad as telling a woman in a physically abusive relationship that they should stick it out because the person is going through a rough time and that it'll get better through support. It's sending a message to all women that are in a toxic relationship, that if your partner is going through something that bad, that you should stick it out despite your own wellbeing. It's honestly absolutely fucking sickening to even hear or read about. It's placing blame on her when there should be no blame placed in the first place. It's no one's fault what happened, and especially not Ariana's.

I'm honestly sad to say that this would have likely happened with or without their break-up, with or without her even getting engaged to Pete Davidson. An addict only stops when they want to receive help, and that was so sadly not the case with Mac Miller at this time. It is not Ariana Grande's fault for trying to move on with her life after being in a relationship like that, and it's certainly not her fault that he's dead. I'm sure that she still loves him with every fiber in her being and that she's hurting so tremendously badly. Love doesn't just disappear overnight, and neither does the hurt of watching your partner battle addiction -- or any of the things that they may say or do to you as their battling. And any true fans would show their support for her at this time, instead of throwing blame.

I'm confident in thinking that if Mac Miller were around to hear what others were saying, that he would be as ashamed and angry as I am about this matter, if not more so. So, next time you try and drag Ariana Grande's name through the mud because of this, please remember that she's a person who loved him as much as we did as fans. She went through a whole different experience than us, however, that none of us can even imagine knowing about. He may have been at a low point toward the end of their relationship, but I'm sure that she was, too. And blaming her for what happened to him is absolutely disgusting.

Spread love to your loved ones at this time and remind them how much they mean to you. Raise awareness about how powerful and terrible addiction can be and offer resources and help to those struggling with it. But also remember that it's not your responsibility to fix someone, nor is it within your abilities unless you are a trained professional in the matter. At the end of the day, you need to do what's right for yourself, as well, and I believe that that's what Ariana did.