When it comes to losing a friend, the feelings behind it are never painless, no matter the circumstances. There will always be a part of you that will forever be scarred in the absence of their presence. Whether we choose to except this idea or not, we know that they have made a significant impact on us in more ways than none. However, when it comes down to losing a friend or someone you truly care a lot about to something along the lines of drugs and alcohol, the feeling is beyond anything you could have ever imagined; it’s devastating, shocking and emotionally traumatic. As we sit and ponder, trying to fit the pieces that will help make sense of the loss, we risk losing ourselves in the whole process; we may find ourselves binging on drugs or alcohol to help fill the void we’ve developed, sinking into a deep depression, seeing things in a way that can only be destructive and chaotic.

I wouldn’t consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. I have lost quite a few friends and family who lost their opportunity in moving to this stage of life with me, so trust me when I say I understand what that pain feels like. Things will never again be the same, but that doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge who they were when they were here.

Here are five things to remember when it comes to the loss of a family member or friend

It’s alright to be sad.

The loss of someone isn’t always the same for everyone, so never be ashamed to feel your loss differently than another. Pain is something that must be felt before you can truly feel better, kind of like when you fall and scrape your knee -- there is pain before the wound heals up.

Take the help offered to you.

Not many people can say that they have a good support system, but if you have friends or family willing to be there for you, don’t hesitate to take the help. They want to help you, so let them.

Remember them.

Don’t tarnish their memories you have of them with the tragic events that took part in them passing or losing their life. Remember the good times you shared with them and the kind of person they were.

Don’t be afraid to talk to them.

This may sound weird to some people, but sometimes weird can be helpful. If talking to someone who is no longer with you helpful and beneficial to you, by all means, use it to your advantage.

Do something in their honor.

Whether they liked to write poetry, liked music, whatever the case may be, do something along those lines as a way of remembering them for yourself.

For more information about dealing with the death of a friend or family member, please visit:

http://thoughtcatalog.com/danielle-campoamor/2013/05/a-guide-to-surviving-your-best-friends-death/

http://www.orchidrecoverycenter.com/blog/losing-a-friend-to-drug-overdose-finding-strength-in-sadness/