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by Amy Cherry (Contribution by), Messengers Supporting Recovery (Contribution by), Lisa Mancuso (Illustrator)
Imagine all of your hopes and dreams gone in one moment. Your life is forever changed. You may think this will never happen to you. How could it? You raised your kids right. You are a good family. Your kids play sports and would never think about trying drugs. These are the words of so many of us, but what child says that they want to grow up to be an addict? The answer is not one. Addiction does not care what kind of family you came from. Addiction just doesn't affect the person using the substance, it destroys everyone in its path.
We have all made a mistake before in life and most have learned from it. Imagine making one mistake that you cannot reverse or feel as if there is no hope for restoration. Whether it was a doctor that gave you medication for pain or you wanted to fit in with your friends, it doesn't matter. The devil of addiction is pure evil. Some people have been blessed to find help and gain the strength that is needed to break free. Their stories will tell the truth about addiction and what it is like being on the front lines battling these demons. They will give you hope.
Others have not been so fortunate and continue to struggle. Sadly, some lost their battles leaving mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, spouses, and friends to live a life of what-ifs, regrets, sorrow, and excruciating pain. Only the memories remain and all hope is gone. The families are forever changed. Addiction is not an individual disease, it causes ripples that affect everyone.
You will hear stories from a group of survivors and others speaking for their loved ones who no longer have a voice. There are stories of death by overdose, by suicide, and even by murder. The common link is substance abuse and addiction. These unique stories are about pain and heartbreak, hope & healing. This is the raw truth written from broken hearts.
