Lost another friend to the disease.
NA Member - Atheist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Middletown CT USA
Posts: 770
Lost another friend to the disease.
Today I found out that a friend of mine that I met in early recovery died yesterday. James was 34 years old. He left a wife and young son behind.
I first met him when I had 101 days clean. He was possibly the most dopesick person I have ever seen in a meeting. I liked him instantly. We had some great times together. He went out again when he had 9 months clean. He always got his life back in order quickly each time he relapsed. Working became a priority for him. Then you wouldn't see him much.
He was a smart and funny and sensitive person. He adored his son. The disease of addiction really doesn't care about that. Now he's just dead.
For those of us in recovery life is full of possibilities. Stay clean and sober each day and you have a shot at fulfilling your potential. We can make meaningful connections to those around us and learn to be ok with ourselves and life.
But when we use, the end result is always the same. Sooner or later it kills us, and then there's nothing left but the people who loved us wondering why. James will never come back to hug his son again.
If you're struggling, hang on and stay clean and sober for today. Reach out to people and don't be afraid to ask for help. The alternative is tragic, and ultimately unnecessary.
I first met him when I had 101 days clean. He was possibly the most dopesick person I have ever seen in a meeting. I liked him instantly. We had some great times together. He went out again when he had 9 months clean. He always got his life back in order quickly each time he relapsed. Working became a priority for him. Then you wouldn't see him much.
He was a smart and funny and sensitive person. He adored his son. The disease of addiction really doesn't care about that. Now he's just dead.
For those of us in recovery life is full of possibilities. Stay clean and sober each day and you have a shot at fulfilling your potential. We can make meaningful connections to those around us and learn to be ok with ourselves and life.
But when we use, the end result is always the same. Sooner or later it kills us, and then there's nothing left but the people who loved us wondering why. James will never come back to hug his son again.
If you're struggling, hang on and stay clean and sober for today. Reach out to people and don't be afraid to ask for help. The alternative is tragic, and ultimately unnecessary.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
I had a good friend on the high school baseball team who I would rather have strike me out than hit me with a pitch and give me first base because he could throw pretty freaking fast.
Found out on the news, then facebook, and then from another old baseball friend that he died in his early twenties due to drug abuse. Hard to believe. He was a loveable, nice guy.
Alcoholism or drug addiction doesn't discriminate and has no conscience.
Found out on the news, then facebook, and then from another old baseball friend that he died in his early twenties due to drug abuse. Hard to believe. He was a loveable, nice guy.
Alcoholism or drug addiction doesn't discriminate and has no conscience.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: middle of nowhere
Posts: 2,849
I'm so sorry Mike. 
Addiction is such a dark and often unforgiving place.
That's why I am so grateful we have each other here... I'm so glad to see the influx of newcomers. I feel relief when people fall down but pick themselves back up no matter how bad the circumstances.
I don't know if the social stigmas around addiction and mental health issues will ever ease up enough that people can feel safe to find help for their problems. But I always have hope.
It's places like these and people like us who help shine the light on these issues... show that the way may not be easy but we do have a soft place to land. That it is ok to ask for help. That we do not need to play russian roulette in life because we are less than. That not every where we turn we are judged, persecuted and shunned. It's a fine line between enabling and support, and most the non-addicted world doesn't know how to deal with that.
I hope everyone here never stops giving up trying to make their lives better. We are stronger together.
Truly sorry for your loss.
Addiction is such a dark and often unforgiving place.
That's why I am so grateful we have each other here... I'm so glad to see the influx of newcomers. I feel relief when people fall down but pick themselves back up no matter how bad the circumstances.
I don't know if the social stigmas around addiction and mental health issues will ever ease up enough that people can feel safe to find help for their problems. But I always have hope.
It's places like these and people like us who help shine the light on these issues... show that the way may not be easy but we do have a soft place to land. That it is ok to ask for help. That we do not need to play russian roulette in life because we are less than. That not every where we turn we are judged, persecuted and shunned. It's a fine line between enabling and support, and most the non-addicted world doesn't know how to deal with that.
I hope everyone here never stops giving up trying to make their lives better. We are stronger together.
Truly sorry for your loss.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Columbia , SC
Posts: 38
Im Still New Here and Dont Know You. From Someone Who Too Lost One I Cared About To Relapse .... I Truly Understand ! Very Sorry To Hear About Yours and His Loss. Such A Sad Story, Such A Young Man ! Thanks For Sharing With Us. Always a Reminder How Ugly The Truth Of Addiction Can End !
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
Prayers going out to you and those who loved him.
Unfortunately you do not have to be in the recovery community very long before you find yourself walking among the tombstones.
Our addiction wants us dead. This not an exaggeration it is a simple truth that I have seen played out far too many times
Unfortunately you do not have to be in the recovery community very long before you find yourself walking among the tombstones.
Our addiction wants us dead. This not an exaggeration it is a simple truth that I have seen played out far too many times
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