To My Friend Struggling With Addiction,

Life isn't easy. Life isn't easy whether you are a drug addict or not; life is tough. It is a merry-go-round, plus or minus a few kinks. There will be days where you feel like you are on top of the world and days when you feel far beneath it. There will be people out there who root against you and want nothing more than to see you fail. There will be hurt and disappointments throughout your life, and unfortunately, this is normal. But then there are the happy days. The days filled with love, joy, and beauty. Days where you feel so much happiness that you can't even believe how low you were the day before. Everyone deals with pain and hurt, but it is how you cope and who you surround yourself with that can make all the difference in the world.

Because I'm not a drug addict, it may be hard to take my point of view seriously. You may think I don't understand, and I won't lie to you and say I understand, because I don't. I have, however, experienced loss. I have lost people I love due to drug use, and that pain is something no one should have to experience. So no, I do not fully understand your situation, but I have been affected by it. I will not judge you, but I will do everything in my power to help you. Addiction is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly. I don't care how close or far apart we may have wandered over the years, I'm here for you. I'm here for you, I always will be, and I want you to remember that.

I also want you to remember what real friends are. Real friends are the people who push you to succeed, who drive and motivate you to be a better person, someone you can call at 3 a.m. just because you can't sleep. A real friend isn't someone who texts you every so often, asking to meet up in a shady part of town to "try" the latest trend of drugs on the street. You may think that that person thinks of you as a friend, but they don't. To them, you are just someone who they can shoot up or snort drugs with. These are the people you do not surround yourself with. Real friends fight for each other, so that is what I will do for you.

There are struggles with becoming clean. Obstacles that will cause more pain than joy. You are fighting every day with your unbalanced reality, but I believe in you. I believe in you because I have seen the person you were before, I can see the greatness you have to offer to this world. This is just one stage of your life, and you can overcome it. You are a fighter. You come from a family of fighters. Think of your friends and family and all the endless amounts of hurt and pain you would bring them if you continue to lead yourself down this path of failure and negativity. Don't stop fighting. I, along with many other people, believe in you and love you. So fight.

Sincerely,

Someone Who Loves You.