12/25/2025
Please allow me to share my comment on this very sad post: Hitting “rock bottom” is different for everyone. It’s usually the turning point for some. Unfortunately, especially since fentanyl, many are passing away before they can hit the proverbial “rock bottom.” Showing someone you love & care for them, being there for them, & helping them without enabling them is possible. It’s work & it’s hard. But it can be done. Don’t allow yourself to be abused either. If they steal from you, don’t let them stay with you. Go to where they are regularly, give them clean clothes, take them where they can shower, a truck stop or a gym maybe? Buy them something to eat. Do this regularly, say every Saturday or Wednesday or whatever day of the week you can. This gives them something to look forward to. Let them talk about themselves, don’t let them talk about glorifying use. Everything else is fine. Even if it’s hard to listen to. They need a safe place & a safe person. Answer there questions about loved ones, don’t say things like, “I wish you could have been there or I wish you could’ve see it.” They already wish that too. Try to be upbeat & touch them physically. Put your hand on their arm or just hold them. Be kind to them! This would not be the time for you to air your anger or frustration. This is their time! They’re the ones that are sick. If they had any other disease, this would be a completely different scenario. Do not give them $! Give them a cheap flip phone with your number in it, others that care for them, & the numbers to local resources. Like the local SUD/mental health services in your area. Every time it’s time for you to go, let them know that when they are ready for a change, you are ready to pick them up, & help them make that change. That you’ll be there to get them asap. Tell them you love them & will see them again on your selected day. If something comes up & you can’t be there. Let them know. Don’t make it a habit. You will probably be the only thing in there life they can count on. Show them love & compassion. That’s what they need the most. When you leave is when the love & compassion start to work. They will know they are loved. You are leaving them with hope. You are leaving them with them knowing that things can be different for them. You are leaving them with knowing someone really cares & will be there for them. Those things are extremely powerful! They will think about everything & hopefully they will make a choice that will change the course of both your lives. Be patient. Remember, what’s most important is they get better, not you! They are the ones that are sick! If them getting better makes you feel better, that’s just a happy coincidence. Do this as many times as it takes. You would never stop helping them & caring for them if it was any other disease! Remember, addiction is a disease, not a moral failure! The only difference is, you have been taught your entire life that addiction is as simple as a choice. We all wish it was that simple. But this is not the case. Stigma is our biggest enemy! When someone gets type II diabetes from becoming overweight, we don’t shame them! We give them everything they need to manage their disease. Even though they knew becoming overweight and eating all that sugar probably wasn’t a good idea. What about people that were smokers & then have lung cancer or COPD? They get everything including a specialized doctor & medical team to care for them. They are met with compassion! Why is that? Because there’s no stigma attached to their disease! I love you all! I’m sorry you’re in pain. I’m sorry for what is or what has happened to you! I choose love, I choose compassion, I choose to be part of the solution, & not the problem… Peace & love to you all & you are all in my prayers! ☮️🤗🙏🏻
