The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

Lisa has had many struggles with addiction, from a very young age. Later as a adult she was over prescribes pain medication that led to a severe addiction ....She later died from a methadone overdose, she was 47.

Michael started experimenting with alcohol and weed around age 13. He struggled with ADHD, anxiety and depression at times.His junior year of high school, his drinking escalated and he was having black outs. The summer before his senior year, his girlfriend broke up with him which seemed to send him on a self-destructive road. He started using xanax,mollys.alcohol... marijuana smoking increased and he snorted heroin a couple times but but did not get into that drug, however, we felt we needed to take him out of high school and put him in a long term rehab. He was extremely upset at us for disrupting his last year of high school and of course I have spent countless hours second guessing everything we did. As parents I know we made a lot of mistakes not really understanding this disease. I guess with other diseases, the afflicted isn't usually screaming the F-word at you. I don't want to get to detailed but my son at 18 years old just could not (and would not) stay at the rehab more then 5 months. It was a one year program. He went to a sober house last Sept. and was doing well until he went to listen to live music at a club one night and did acid. The kids learn at rehab that acid slips through the drug tests. He was asked to leave the sober house so he came to live with us in October. He became quite depressed when he got home because all his friends were in college and I think he felt lost and like a loser.:( Although we knew he had a substance abuse disorder, we decided to let him give college a try. We thought if he felt like a "regular kid", his age it might change his outlook on life. He had been accepted to Coastal Carolina University in his senior year of high school so we contacted them to see if he could start mid-semester. We headed down to SC (we live in the NYC area) mid-January... he died 8 days after school began. I am running out of room but I want the colleges notify us and treat us like kids with other diseases,and notify when first drunk occurs.

It was a battle..no it was war!! If I could have fought for him I would have!!

"The intruder called addiction enters our home.

My beautiful boy, Josh, was deeply spiritual and to everyone around him seemed grounded and loving life. That said, he set his bar high and could not easily forgive himself for perceived shortcomings. He lived a secret life of fear beguiled by feelings of failure which would often thrust him into the depths of despair. His challenge was to live in a world he thought expected so much more than he felt he could give. His struggle with this internal conflict led him to substance abuse – to self-medicate followed by extreme alcoholism which, in the end, led him down a destructive physical path resulting in his accidental death - at the age of 27.

As a child, Josh was a sweet, sensitive, silly little boy. He was a deep thinker who often got lost in this own thoughts. Josh was very content to spend hours by himself creating little books and cartooning about things that interested him. His comical antics entertained his buddies and his brothers and sisters to no end.

As a middle school student Josh became very interested in the 60’s culture; beginning with the music of the times, then going deeper into the free spirit movement of love and the expanding of one's mind by the use of drugs. This influence intrigued him and, in hindsight, he seemed to be on the road to adopting many of the cultural ideals of that time as he grew into his teens. Josh was a delightful child, well mannered and a focused student who achieved academic success. He was a leader among his peers and a good example for his younger siblings. Though he had been an athlete, playing baseball, football and soccer; by high school there was just something about competition that disagreed with Josh and he did not feel it was worth his time anymore. He dove into student government, community service, creative writing and dramatic arts. He was able to cheerfully balance his studies with a job and the demanding schedules of drama and his newspaper column. It was during high school in the 90's when he first became an advocate for people's rights. To him it appeared that judgment by others toward some of his peers was unjust and hurtful. He began to take steps toward not standing out from the crowd because he felt it was blatantly unfair to judge people - whether by the clothes they wore, the grades they achieved or the homes they came from. Josh was a leader and he responsibly took a stand for equality.

We truly did not know about any drug use during those years. Like many parents of our generation, if they were to be honest, we suspected that there was some use of marijuana or alcohol going on at times; however, we truly did not see any signs of abuse and we did not see any indication of use around our house. We took steps to know where he was and who he was with whenever possible and we networked with other parents to do the same. After all, we just wanted the kids to be safe. Not unlike other parents, our concern was focused on safety and not on the danger of our child becoming either an alcoholic or drug addict. We counseled our children and tried to teach by setting boundaries and a good example; not ever considering that a child of ours would ever become an addict.

Later, of course, we would come to know that Josh was one of those people referred to as a functional user in that he could turn his use on and off and be successfully employed, achieve academically in college and maintain a life, despite the secret use of drugs and alcohol. He would use so that he could stay awake long hours to accomplish everything that was on his plate. Josh seemed to know when he was using too much and he could find resources to aid him in either cutting back on use or ceasing to use for periods of time. He would run, ride his bike and enjoy being out in nature at times when he would try to stop smoking as well. He said that addicts need to substitute one compulsive act with another.” He was hoping that fitness would be something he could substitute for drugs choosing a healthy lifestyle over substances. However, he expressed his fear of leaving drug use behind as alcohol was beckoning him to use.

Sadly, Josh was right, alcohol got him good. It was during that last year when he was in the throes of alcoholism, before he went into residential recovery that he told me, you know Mom, I have tried almost every type of drug, and alcohol is the worst, nastiest, and deadliest one of all because it is easily accessible, expected socially and over-use is generally accepted.

Josh knew he was an addict, that substances had long taken his power away and were controlling his life – not the other way around. Before he went into a recovery program he said, Mom, please understand that I am 99% there, but you need to know that I have to be 100% sure I can be successful before I do this.” Already, he had placed an unrealistic expectation on himself. Once on a visit to see him in residential care, he said these people are lost, that one has suffered incest, the other rape, another prison and so many come from dysfunctional and angry homes. How did I get here Mom? I have had a charmed life full of love and nurturing.” Based on his own faith and beliefs his dismay continued, and these people are being asked to connect with their higher power and they do not have a clue what that is!” He was truly baffled about how he got there. Yet in spite of what our intellect tells us, some people will become addicts after abusing drugs and/or alcohol, and others, given the same set of circumstances, will not.

Josh put undue pressure on himself to succeed the first time in recovery. He did not want to cause anyone pain – which is why he hid his use from us. Being an addict is not fun. The shame and stigma of addiction runs deep. I read after Josh’s death from a former addict that when you support someone that you love with encouragement and affirmations for their progress, sadly, sometimes the only thing they hear is Mom and Dad love me so much..and I am a failure.” The pain of their burden is in many cases too difficult for them to bear. It is an excruciating position to be in – for family and also for the addicted. Of course we worried and of course we were watching. Parents just do that. What pressure that created for Josh. Being supportive and encouraging the people you love is the right thing to do to help them on their journey, isn't it? I had not looked at this disease through his eyes. I understand now that in some ways my continued affirmations may have had the effect of making Josh feel even more ashamed.

ADDICTION IS A DISEASE It should be treated as a disease and there should not be shame and stigma associated with it or with the treatment or recovery for the disease.

Mistakenly, you cannot just love your children through this disease. Love is not enough. If you could simply love people through diseases, we could do the same to cure our families of cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Addicts are not having fun. They are living with the destructive physical, emotional and mental ramifications of their painful disease. They need compassion and treatment just like others receive when they succumb to disease.

I thought Josh was doing well that last day when twice we spoke. He was a bit anxious about coming home that night. He said “I don’t have anything to offer the wedding festivities (for his very best friend) because I haven’t found a job yet.” I assured him that we would take care of the expenses and that we were all looking forward to having him home for a few weeks. You see, Josh was coming home for his friend’s bachelor party and he told me he was going to be the designated driver that night. Instead, he never arrived home – having accidentally overdosed the night before. His bag was packed, coat and keys by bedside waiting for his ride. The shame and stigma of having gone through months of residential rehab and not “being okay” was more than he could bear. It was clear, Josh did not want to use, he did not want to disappoint the twelve men waiting for him, and he did not want to hurt us anymore. Tragically, sometimes there are no do-overs.

Sadly, Josh’s story is not unique. Residential treatment programs are only the beginning in a difficult journey to sobriety. A residential treatment program is not enough. The right program – a comprehensive scientifically proven method of trained professionals, at a cost families can afford, with follow up and consistent extended care - is the key. Josh had every promise for success; only to die of an accidental overdose three months, to the day, from his entry into the program.

Josh thought he was ready to overcome his challenges and stay clean and sober on his own. It was too soon. What Josh needed was a place go that provided a continued sober living environment, in the company and support of others, who, with like experiences and understanding, face the same struggles with substance abuse. What Josh needed was more time and a place to bridge the path between treatment and a sober life. It is time for parents and society to look at addiction with a new set of eyes – this nightmare has to end for young people and for families like ours across the country. I believe that Shatterproof * Stronger than Addiction is the way."

As a teenager, we were aware that he was drinking, as were all the neighborhood kids. I guess we also sort of knew he smoked pot, again as most of his peers did. His first true love was a beautiful girl and they were a happy and beautiful couple. However, infidelity, on John's part destroyed that relationship and this fueled his need for self medication. Along with his difficulty coping with his legal issues, he obtained a couple of DUI's that left him without a drivers license and ultimately required some jail time. All of this downward spiral increased his use of prescription drugs. He was diagnosed with ADD and was given a prescription of Adderall, which he learned to miss use and was exposed through off campus parties to pills like Percocet. Some of his friends from that time told me that none of them knew the dangers of taking drugs such as these. They did not know how addictive they were. John was always trying to "feel normal" as he would say. It never, ever occurred to either my husband or I that he would ever make the horrible decision to use heroin. He and I were extremely close through these times. We talked about his drug use and he promised me he would never do that, and unfortunately I wanted to believe him. His behavior, days sleeping and up and running all night became routine. My husband and I were at odds on how to deal with his issues. I could never have kicked him out, I could not have lived with myself. After he told us he was using heroin, as shocked as I was it was my job was to save him. He had told me many times that he wanted me to call the police on him because in jail he couldn't use. Several stretches of being clean, then something would trigger a relapse. He hated his life, he hated hurting us and he was in constant emotional pain. He dealt with this issue for 12 years. Our lives were in turmoil for 12 years. His pain finally ended on 5-5-11. I would go through it all a million times if I could have him back.

Tyler didn't want this life of addiction. Right before entering High School Tyler, along with his friends, started to experiment with alcohol and pot, which eventually led up to pain pills. At that point, Ty really didn't believe that he would become addicted. His life quickly spiraled out of control when he went off to college. He decided that he needed to move across the country to get away from drugs. He enjoyed a year and a half of living in Colorado, drug free, before moving home again. He had periods of being sober, and relapses, but he wanted to be "100% drug free." He was working on that when he experienced his first, and only, overdose. His family was told that he had a "life ending brain injury" and wouldn't make it through the night however he lived on life support for three more days before dying on his sisters birthday, December 23, 2012.

Greg experimented in late middle school and early high school. The experimentation escalated up the chain. His disease caused him to twice withdraw from college. The disease led to a path of heroin, first snorting and finally injecting. Despite 17 months of being clean, and in part assisted by alcohol, he attempted to "scratch the itch" one more time. Greg made a very bad decision and it proved to be fatal.

Anxiety and depression led to self medication that continued until it took over entirely - the system didn't help

Derek started using before he hit puberty and there were years where he was sober but he spent the majority of his life using something. He would show up to family dinners high. You would be on the phone with him and slowly start realizing he had taken something and would slur. He was found face down in his apartment by his mother three days after Thanksgiving. He had gone to a dealer for heroin after leaving the meal and probably died that night or the morning after. It was our worst fear come true.

Dylan went off to college in 2010 and was introduced to the party scene. But unlike many of us, he couldn't control the use of recreational drugs. He soon became an addict, left school and his life became unmanageable to the point that he underwent rehab treatment. But he didnt think he was an addict and believed he could control his problem. In 2012, Dylan had a motorcycle accident and was prescribed painkillers. Like many, he liked them, wanted more but couldn't get them so found someone who suggested a cheap, easy alternative . . . heroin. That was the beginning of a four-year struggle that would include two more stints in rehab, five sober living facilities, four major auto accidents, three arrests for possession and numerous broken personal relationships.

In June 2016, he finally had reached his "bottom' and this time asked to go to rehab, admitting he was powerless and needed help. This time he embraced sobriety wholeheartedly and worked a solid 12-step program. Just after his 24th birthday and before his six-month sobriety anniversary, Dylan relapsed and this time it was too much for him to handle. He passed away on Nov. 29 from complications from heroin use.

Matthew struggled with his addiction for 8 years. He started late with his drugs. He started using when he couldn't cope with many things going wrong in his world. He relapsed multiple times, and was in treatment twice and detoxed many times. He tried alternative drugs, suboxone, but eventually went back to his drug of choice. He never wanted to use, but didn't know how to live without drugs at times. He told me before his passing that he was sorry for disappointing me and wanted me to be proud of him.

He struggled his whole life, as we all have.

His whole life

Started out using marijuana at a young age, hanging around the wrong kids, never really grew out of it. His girlfriend left him, he met up with another girl who was a heroin user and he started using shortly after. We struggled the struggle for 12 months, then rehab and relapse, and off to Methadone treatment, where he managed to stay clean. The relationship didn't change so he struggled with that, moving back and forth between her house and my house until I found him at my house while he was living with me.

He hated being an addict. He struggled so hard, not wanting to be a disappointment. I hope he has finally found peace.

Weed at 12 and throughout his life, then pills in high school--a knee injury while wrestling in his senior year led to prescribed opioids, then street pills and heroin.
He was ashamed of his addiction and always thought he could beat it...on his own. One of his last texts to me was...
"love u 2 Moms. Don't let fear control you. I know how bad this sounds but I promise I will not make you bury me. I'm going to out live u" ...
He didn't mean to leave us.
It was an accident. Lured by a cunning drug that destroys impulse control, and crushed under the shame and stigma of being addicted. He died in his childhood bedroom behind a lock door that my husband had to kick down.

Michael broke a  vertebrae  in his back his first year in college. He was put on opiates for pain management a few years later. Within two years the pills were not enough and he was addicted. He moved on to cheaper drugs. Drugs that were easy to get. 

He struggled with alcoholism his entire life, but ultimately lost his battle to a heroin overdose at 55.  He battled depression and was self-medicating.  But even through his struggles he displayed love, and valued & nurtured his relationships.  

She had a rough couple years and thats when her addiction went full tilt..put herself in rehab and died of an overdose while rehabbing.

He was diagnosed with Bipolar and Depression from a young age and struggled with Heroin addiction from the age of 17 to his ultimate passing at the age of 30.  He tried multiple rehabilitation methods and was able to stay clean for long periods of time but would usually start using again eventually, especially during times of hardship. This last year he was able to maintain a year sobriety and was in a wonderful place but was unable to fully beat his addiction and we lost him to an overdose earlier this year.  I think knowing his pain and struggle has permanently changed my perspective on addiction.  I witnessed his immense strength and ability to fight for so long and when you think about how many others are going through such hardships, especially those who are alone or lack support, it is heartbreaking.  I think what we can all take away from people who fight against addiction is just how much willpower and effort it takes.