The Truth

Ok, it’s time someone finally clears up the myths and stereotypes of drug addicts. When I read books and/or articles about drug addicts, I literally cringe and feel like screaming. So much is said about those suffering from addiction that just isn’t true. So let’s hear it from the heart of someone who has been there… ME.

The first thing I always hate reading is that drug addicts only care about one thing… getting high. These professionals always say that we can’t quit for those we love, because all we care about is chasing down our next fix. Let me tell you, this is the absolute cruelest thing to say. We DO care about our loved ones. We DO want to stop using for them. We DO NOT only care about getting high.

“But if you lived them, you would stop.”

NOT TRUE! We want nothing more than to put the drugs down. You don’t realize just how horrible and guilty we feel when we pop that pill or put that pipe to our mouths or needles to our arms. You don’t understand how much we hate ourselves more for falling victim to the drug.

Yes, hate ourselves MORE. Because we already hate ourselves, that is a fact.

Hate ourselves for using drugs.

Hate ourselves for lying about using drugs, or just lying in general.

Hate ourselves for not being able to stop using.

The next lie told is that people become addicted to drugs and can't stop using because they are weak and lack will power. FALSE. Drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than strong willpower or good intentions. Drugs change the brain in ways that make it hard to stop using, even if the person really wants to quit.

Another myth that can be true for some but no help to others it's having a support system. Some people may be able to overcome their addictions with the support of others, but it doesn't really seem to impact a lot of drug addicts. Many addicts can have a lot of people to support them, but it doesn't make it any easier to stop using.

What people don't understand it that, in all reality, we don't get to make the choice whether to stop or not. The drug chooses. Drugs become so powerful to addicts that they don't get to decide whether or not to stop using. The drug becomes so important that their bodies actually need the drug to function. Our brains tell us that we need the drug to survive. The drugs take over our brains and our bodies. They take over our entire lives. What we would give just to be able to lay the drugs down for good. We do love our family and friends. We do love our children who get taken away from us. We do want to stop using for them. We just need help.

Remember, before you snarl your nose up at another drug addict, we are humans, too. Somewhere there is a family praying for a miracle. We are loved, we are hopeless, we need you.

Please understand how hard it is for us to live with ourselves every day. It hurts is deeply to know we are hurting the ones we love, because we are not meaning to do so. We are fighting... With ourselves, with the drugs, with our demons. We want nothing more than to be done with it all and live normal lives like we did before the drugs. All we ask is for you to have patience and please do not give up on us. We are hurting and we need you more than ever now.