To the friend who is struggling with an addiction,

Let me start by saying this, I am here for you. There will be people who will refuse to see the good in you, but I will not be one of them. I will be here to hold your hand, and I will be by your side the entire time. If you ever need anything, you can count on me to help you.

I have seen too many good souls leave this journey of life all too soon because of an addiction; whether it be alcohol or drugs. The only thing that we can do to help these people is to help them see the good of day. To help them realize that they can fix their problems. Help them learn that just because they made one bad decision and got caught up in it, does not mean that they are a bad person. We have to help the realize that they can turn their life around.

So here is to you, the person who is unbelievably strong; don't give up on life. You are more than the drugs or the drinks that you do not think that you can live with out. You are more than the pain you are trying to push away with these substances. You are strong, and you can get through this. You need to realize how many people are behind you, and want you to sober up so that you will not miss the little things in life. They want to help you make a better future for yourself. We want to help you build a wall in your life between the addiction, and the reasons that you continue to use. We want to make sure you are truly happy, without the substances.

The worst thing is watching someone drown and not being able to convince them that they can save their self by just standing up. —Jay Kristoff

I will not pretend that I know what you are going through, nor will I try to say that I know someone who has been through the same thing, because every addiction is different. I will be the ears that are there when you just need someone to listen, and the shoulder to cry on if you ever break down. I will be the friend you need, the one who is not giving up on you. If and when you decide to go to rehab, I will be sure to write you every chance I get, and will forever cherish the letters I get back. I will be sure to send encouraging words, and to say a prayer for you every night.

To the family and friends, we will all make it through this. We will show them to have faith in themselves, and in others. We will show them that there is more to this life than the depression that they are living in. In the unfortunate event that we may lose this person, we do not give up on their memory. We make a legacy of them. We use their stories to help others realize what these addictions do to them, and what they do to us as the friends and family. We help others seek peace, and strive away from the addiction.

I can not promise I can even begin to help fix your problems, but I can promise you won't have to face them alone. —Unknown

If you, or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, please assist them in seeking help. It could be a matter of life or death for some people, and it could completely change someones life. For me, it took losing a best friend to a drug addiction to open my eyes to what a dangerous, and very high thing addiction is. Don't let this happen to someone close to you.