Losing a loved one to drugs or addiction is devastating. It is a pain we go through that leaves so many unanswered questions.
When I was 8 years old, I lost my uncle Steve to a heroin overdose. My uncle Steve was the cool uncle who traveled the world, cooked weird food like squid for Thanksgiving and listened to the coolest grunge music. His loss was heartbreaking and hurt each person in my family in our own way. I remember thinking then and still believing now that he did not mean to hurt us the way he did.
Fast forward, I am around 20 years old and I get one of the most overwhelmingly heartbreaking phone calls of my life. My sister's boyfriend Ryan had passed away due to addiction. Ryan was funny, kind and had the biggest grin you have ever seen. He made my sister happy - they loved each other. His family, especially his mom Paula, the kindest people you have ever met. Ryan had a support system of friends and family who to this day still attend his birthday and memorial mass yearly.
Covid-19 has deepy hurt the mental health and sobriety of many alocholics and addicts this year. At the begginning of the pandemic the recovery community lost a truely unique and special person, my good friend Craig Gentleman. Craig had the go to Facebook Memes if you wanted a good laugh, and the way he could make us laugh in person was even funnier. He cared deeply for his friends and people that he didn't know and were struggling. Shocking and heartbreaking, his loss hurt many many people and I know it was the last thing he ever would have wanted.
I will walk in memory of those who have lost their lives to drug use and addiction... Especially for my uncle Steve Powell, Ryan Gilligan and Craig Gentleman. We miss them every single day. I will also walk to help raise money to help alcoholics and addicts get into 12 step programs because I believe there is a solution and people can and do get better.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction please feel free to reach out to me. I am happy to help point you in the right direction. Team Stoneham represents the Stoneham Family Meeting that is held every Tuesday at the senior center in Stoneham from 6:00-7:30. You don't have to walk through your loved ones addiction alone.
"Believing that recovery is possible, our mission is to strengthen and support families affected by addiction"