There are so many sore subjects out in the world right now, one of the biggest being drugs. Many families are ripped apart every day because of drug addiction. Too many people are becoming addicted, overdosing and dying, leaving their grieving families to clean up the mess. The biggest drug making headlines today has been heroin. Being only 20 years old, I would have liked to live my life thus far without the pain of knowing somebody in my family is struggling with drugs but unfortunately, I do.

I have grown up watching this person struggle. I have watched my family struggle because of it as well, and it is the most heartbreaking thing a family can go through. Knowing that somebody you're related to is struggling with an addiction that they ultimately chose in the beginning, but now are too far gone to help themselves is horrible.

There are so many emotions that come with dealing with a drug addict. Most of my family, at this point in time, are angry. There have been so many attempts to help, so many second chances that all get thrown away when this person chooses drugs and jail over family. Is it really their fault though? Can we blame the drug addict for this? Ultimately every person has their own personal opinion; there is no right answer.

For the mother who does nothing but watch her child suffer, I can see how endless chances would make it easier to deal with addiction. For the sister, who has given a few chances but has been burnt every time and ultimately decides to cut ties instead of watching her sibling slowly but surely end their life. For the significant other, who fell in love with the person before the addiction who wants nothing but for this person to be okay again if not for the sake or their relationship but for the kids who have come out of the relationship. Lastly, for the kids who are too young to see what is really going on, as well as the ones who are finally of age and starting to understand what their parent is really going through. Each of these people have the right to their own opinion when it comes to someone in their life being a drug addict. There is no right reaction.

It is really hard to put ourselves in the shoes of those using drugs. What are they really feeling? At this point in my families journey, a lot of us have given up. It has been many years and the drugs still have not stopped. All of us have given up so much, shed so many tears. Holding on is the hardest thing for a family to do when so many times before they have been let down. How do you know when to give up and let this person live their life they are choosing to? Should you ever give up?