Lessons from the Child of an Addict | Emily Smith | TEDxErie

Emily is an advocate for mental health and disability rights because of the firsthand experience she has with both subjects. She writes about her experiences and life lessons she has learned from growing up with an estranged mother who was ridden with a drug addiction. Her future plans include going to graduate school and becoming a drug and alcohol addictions counselor.
Emily Smith is a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She now resides in Fairfax, Virginia, where she is a sophomore in George Mason University’s undergraduate psychology program. She also minors in photography, her lifelong passion. She is an advocate for mental health and disability rights because of the firsthand experience she has with both subjects. She has participated in many lobbying events on Capitol Hill for complex rehab technology and other disability issues. She is also a writer for The Odyssey, a university wide publication, where she writes about her experiences and life lessons she has learned from growing up with an estranged mother who was ridden with a drug addiction. Her volunteer work includes the Muscular Dystrophy Association as well as mentoring children with disabilities and working with literacy foundations to offer children the gift of reading and education. Her future plans include going to graduate school and becoming a drug and alcohol addictions counselor.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@oliviad3326]

Some of my worst memories as a teenager started with the sound of the bathroom door closing, and hearing the lock click a brief moment later. She tried to cover up the sound of crushing the pills, getting the line ready by running the sink. Nothing could cover up the sound of her snorting it. My heart would fall into my stomach. I’m sorry mom. RIP 1960-2020.

[@violettevbunni9508]

💜💜💜💜

[@davidecapps65]

So sorry to hear this. God bless.

[@morning_light8993]

I know this is old but I just want to hug you

[@rebeccatullochstevenson8308]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@brittanyharding6516]

Same here except it’s my husband! I’ve had to kick down the bathroom door just to get to him and save him. I’m so paranoid everytime he stays in the bathroom a little too long. It SCARES me when he goes to the bathroom man. I hate it

[@hannahlee9479]

My mom just relapsed.... thats what brought me here. Bc I can't stop crying and feeling really depressed. Thank you for posting.

[@starbrightspirit]

sending u love hannah, i hope everything is okay now

[@kimpozo3514]

I'm mom that relapsed I'm crying reading pain you are all suffering. Addiction is family disease it affects whole family. I need stop my cycle relapse and learned so much.. I love my family to moon and back

[@memyself4431]

@@kimpozo3514k

[@daniidaniela11]

My dad just relapsed and i am here just dying inside. He was just in a coma last october and now hes back to it. Idk what to do any more.

[@Tennn89]

I’m here for the same reason. Finding a way to be stay mentally strong.

[@essgee4225]

Both of my parents are addicts, and it is a challenging environment to grow up in. If you’re listening you need to know it’s not your fault, and their addiction has nothing to do with you. Live your own life and strive to be better than your parents, because they did that to themselves. You will be stronger because of it.

[@memyself4431]

😢❤

[@crazystemlady]

Mine too but it may not be as bad as yours. Really needed to know ppl like you exist!

[@dorrymayne6819]

I’m struggling to refrain from my past addiction.. and this comment just really put me in my child’s shoes. I needed that.

[@prawns1640]

@@crazystemladyhow do do deal with it when they are getting older ? And keep getting hospitalised

[@kellietipton1338]

Damn. This girl is me. I'm a psychology undergraduate student hoping to become a counselor.. and all of my family are addicts. Thank you for speaking. ❤❤❤

[@shhisaidshh]

Cheering you on Kellie!!

[@vaishnavidas1608]

wishing you all the success and happiness in life xx

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Maybe you should do your own video as to how you escaped? Wait better question! How did you afford to escape? It's often all about money. With financial means, the offspring of druggies can finally move away, cut all ties, start fresh, get an education, a career and finally live healthy normal. They can escape what is an unstable disturbing home for a stable one. Addict parents can be truly horrible people. I think it's not the addiction that makes the parent a nightmare. It's the fact that the parent is a disordered individual in the first place. I tell people to cut all ties. Some think that's too much. I think it's the proper thing to do when a child has had to endure so much damaging chaos.

[@summerwright8464]

My mom struggles with addiction has my whole life. Its hard watching her kill herself 😔 please pray for her.

[@leesober3798]

God bless her and you

[@carolkingsafer7456]

PRAYERS YOUR WAY 💞 💖🙏

[@teresathomley3703]

I'm a recovering addict. The life is hard for everyone. I love you and so do many others. I will pray for her!! God bless you.

[@EggBenis]

No.

[@MandiKiss-rg2jo]

Mine too 😪 it's very confusing as a young girl.. I hope you don't consume your life worrying for her as I have done mine. I'm looking for information on coping with this particular issue. I visit my mom once every two weeks now instead of every other day, bc I want her to love me, but no matter how many times I tell her she's different when she's high, she don't stop. Its like you think the world of her on one hand and on the other she won't grow up and stop acting like she don't care when I know the sober her does.

[@frandarby8112]

At 19, you have gone through a lot of emotional pain because of your family’s addictions. I think it makes you a strong person to stand up and say “hey I have been through this, and here I am still fighting”, that gives others hope. If you can make it through life, despite those circumstances, then others will be inspired by you. Thank you for continuing to fight everyday for a better life for yourself.

[@kaileyspangler8903]

My mom taught me how to make sell and do methemphetamines age 12 - 16 I was making it with her at 12. I accidentally put my food on the drug plate and it wasn't dryed out. My mom was pissed. Because I ruined her plate of stuff. So she tells me lick this plate. I'm 12. I lick the plate. Bitter made me gag, she laughs. Tells me to taste my plate before I put my food on it. After a year I got curious I was around it everyday. 13 my mom hands me a plate in my room I put it in the microwave dry it out chop it up i was supposed to give it back but I chose to snort a little. The cycle of addiction begins. Helping my mom stealing her drugs helping her sell. 16 and pregnant was sober 2 years. Mom in prison 200 to 400 methamphetamine manufacturing step dad in prison 18 years. All on my own at 17 and a 5 month old my baby daddy starts hitting me and strangling me. I use again. I didn't want to feel the pain I felt everyday. I'm 5 months sober and building my life independently

[@CoZMicShOtZ]

My God. I hope for the best for you and your child. Just remember to keep your child as your number 1 priority and do everything you can to provide for him/her. You can do this!

[@hangxious]

I love you, I hope you’re staying strong!!! Do what’s best for you & ur baby, and continue to look out for your health!!

[@katiehenry7]

That sounds like a true nightmare. Im so sorry you had to go through such trauma... But Praise the Lord you are sober now! Keep going and lean on Christ. You can get through anything when you have His strength.

[@ashley2229]

I hope you're still doing well, I read your message and felt the need to reach out and tell you that what you've been through was hard I know, but when you wrote it you were 5 months sober - that all by itself took real courage to accomplish! So if this finds you well and at 10 months sober then congratulations and thank you for being so strong. If it doesn't find you well, just remember, you have done the hard part of getting sober before now, you can do it again. The more often we try to get sober the more likely we are to succeed eventully, true story. Stay strong and keep your head up. I'm a recovering meth addict as well, 6 almost 7 months sober for the first time in 20 years. I'll be sending good pozitivity your way. Take care

[@charlottehanna3860]

Hold strong.

[@purplesummerfarmstead7665]

She hit it perfectly. We all have a CHOICE. Even aside from genetics. This hit home.

[@mwa1254]

True. But how many do not know they are prone due to these factors. Drinking and drug use is a right of passage for many in the western world as teenagers, so the exposure is rampant. It’s a multifaceted equation. I do really dig this young woman’s delivery and work she is doing!

[@kIm70777]

No we don’t all have a choice!

[@blondie3743]

Yeah sometimes those choices leave others burned in the process. I can't leave my home knowing my mom won't take care of my brother and grandmother, if I leave who will? She won't give my brother up either in my custody. Sometimes we don't have a choice

[@jamessteven5628]

Thank you. In the same boat.

[@thegenerallorsstarfleet]

We all have a dark story to tell about drugs; it's just a matter of time before we control the thought of not keeping silent about it. It's a spirit of fear, addiction, worry, and pain. Deep, dark pain and confusion, thinking that something is wrong with us. When in reality, you're not the problem; the loved one you so desperately want to help has an addiction to drugs and not just the hardcore ones but the prescribed ones as well. It sickens me to know that drugs fear no man nor woman; in fact, medicines in the face of a serial killer take lives with no consequences because it is a drug. Drugs cannot be handcuffed, arrested, sentenced, or crucified. Drugs have made itself part of life that you must avoid at all costs. Stay strong, young lady🤌⚖

[@nh255]

Lost my mom to pills and alcohol 5 years ago and the happy days are the hardest sometimes, because I can’t call her. I wish people would get help before having kids

[@chelsearoxanne5812]

This just hit so deep I have genuine understanding and tears rolling down my face. We’re all going to make it you guys! We got this!

[@hannahhastings3358]

❤️

[@reloy1302]

we got this

[@dddouche]

I’m trying ..😢

[@SerendipityInTheSky]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been denying this was the case for 32 years yet this experience resonates so deeply with me

[@PlanetShlorpian]

I went to high school with this girl believe it or not. I’m glad that she’s fighting the good fight and leading a better life than that of an addict. It sucks being addicted to something, coming from someone who drinks too much.

[@melanie4926]

Good for you to know It's Too Much.

[@patrickhanson712]

As an addict and child of one, a lot here was quite honest to me. Can someone tell me why comments here are so polarized? She's not pretending to be an addict. She said at the beginning of was about the cycle and fear of repeating. I wasted 30 years of my life and would have gladly listened to warnings or someone worried about said cycle if it could have resonated with me. So please explain the hate.

[@pixelwtch]

Because people see themselves in Emily's mother, and rather than think of how that implicates them in their parenting, they choose to attack the child who had no choice but to deal with their parent's substance use.

[@katebader3103]

Because I hear a tinge of disgust, and I think that's wrong when discussing mental health issues. I'm not convinced she's in a place with this situation to be giving a TED Talk about it. She seems angry, and it's understandable, but that gives her a sort of attitude of superiority regarding her mother and I'm not certain that's the message we should be giving people about addicts and how to deal with familial addiction.

[@pariacanyon]

I didn't read any hateful comments on here. Perhaps, I missed them, or they were deleted.

[@boonch9103]

Because people know how it feels to have a parent of an addict or alcoholic

[@purplesummerfarmstead7665]

@@katebader3103 no tinge of disgust. She is being honest and herself. She is done. Just like so many other kids of addcits.

[@padmeraven7290]

Her speech is a horrible pill for me to swallow (no pun intended). This girl is describing everything I am doing to my own daughter. I am in AA and 16 days sober, but my daughter and this talk helps in keeping me going.

[@nh255]

As long as you realize this, then I believe you’re doing the right thing. I lost my mom and wish she would’ve gotten to this point

[@pickles_871]

The fact that you want to change is truly powerful. I lost my father to alcoholism when I was 13. I’m sure deep down he wanted to change but he didn’t show it. Just admitting that you are not okay and seeking help is so brave. I pray for you and your daughter. Jesus loves you!!

[@sabbiaguy2121]

I wish my mom could be like you

[@Pimpytachang]

I have gone through a lot too.. there would be extreme violence , cries , blood spilled during my childhood . My mom is a alcoholic (the extremity has decreased now) , my elder brother a heroine addict . Yet today I am an intern in Clinical psychology.

[@annelisemucoolname9225]

Thank you. It comforted me. Father's alcoholism destroyed the whole family and got me on anxiety prescriptions. Everyday I'm trying to learn to live again. And I tell myself everyday whatever horrible things he's told me are not true about me. That's not me. That's not me. It's okay to protect yourself.❤️

[@pickles_871]

We have similar stories. Jesus loves you and he is always here for you!

[@avag4462]

I’m 13 and my mom is a prescription drug addict also, it’s so hard whenever she goes into her closet and I here pill bottles opening.

[@ShopLunaLume]

Ava Goldberg try and help her find meetings im motivating my mom to go to daily meetings and not relapse again. She’s been clean for about 2 day’s and already wants to go back. I’m doing everything I can to keep her from making that choice so she can make it to the next meeting. Something I need to learn is how to help her from relapsing again and to keep in touch with people she met at the meetings. I’m praying for you and your mom I know she will get better! 🙏

[@jessicaohlhauser5907]

I just want you to know, you are at NO fault for her addiction. You are worthy and you are the hope that so many people need. You deserve respect and love.

[@azzy2461]

I didn't know my mom was one until i went to my dads house and my stepmom looked through my phone. This is in my moms old phone. She went through the messages.. im not gonna talk abt it but this was only a couple days ago

[@dondressel452]

I was a lucky kid when I was young I had wonderful parents who had no addictions My father wasn’t so lucky His father was an alcoholic My dad was the second oldest of 4 brothers He started working at the age of 10 to help support his family His father my grandfather died before I was 2 years old My heart goes out to this young woman May God give her strength

[@grezto5900]

You are lucky😭😭

[@charlandino8533]

Well done. Kids need to hear your message. Your experience speaks to those who feel doomed.

[@gloriamejia2075]

What an incredible young courageous young lady. A great example to those who grew up with drug addict parents and made the "CHOICE" not to become addicts themselves.

[@sadiejones7763]

Thank you for this, both my parents are drug addicts it was hard to think I wasn’t the only one out there going through these things, thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@simply-living8523]

Came here because I’m sad all the time and may have depression because both my parents are addicts. It’s sad to see my loved ones struggle and their health despair. I cry too much over things like this and need help myself. I’m so against drinking, smoking, all of the above babies I’ve seen it all

[@DeadSezSo]

Wow what an extraordinary 19 year old. I'm a child of addicts that fell into addiction myself at 18. I started drinking at 12, heavily binge drinking on weekends at 16 and first took painkillers at 13. I lost almost 10 years of my life to addiction to opiates. I got clean at 27 in December 2020 and, save for a couple brief slip ups with Xanax, I've been totally sober. As someone with a perspective from both the child of an addict and an addict myself, I do have to say mental illness plays such a massive role in addiction. But, like this speaker says, it's no excuse for the behavior. It is a reason though and I've forgiven my father for the pain he caused through his addiction. My mother died when I was 5 and he sank deep into his addiction for the rest of his life and he passed in January of 2020 at just 54 years old. I'm looking to break the cycle, both my familys and my own. Today, just like the speaker, I'm doing it.

[@vibingwiths.6927]

💕Amazing! Sending you much love and ✨!

[@teresacole1253]

Bless your heart. Be strong, the world needs you. Praying for you.

[@SamskaraSystem]

Lots of people get their first hits from doctors with the belief they’re getting help. And then there goes their entire life. It’s tragic and heartbreaking and wrecks so many lives. My heart goes out to all who struggle with addiction, and their families and friends.

[@ranjodhsidhu9240]

I live with both of my parents being addicts rn and living in the environment is so challenging sometimes you have to Call it quits as well after truly trying to Help so much addiction is a sickness it’s a disease

[@HeartThief21]

Absolutely amazing! Emily’s story is just heartbreaking, but also has a lot of hope in it. I met her recently and she’s still totally drug free! She’s a beautiful and insanely kind person that has completely earned my respect and my friends’ respect!

[@marcellbrickey348]

A couple of my students presented to their high school class on this TED Talk. This is really powerful and we appreciate how the young lady is using her history to inspire going forward in a productive way.

[@madhusharma9949]

Heartrending and so moving.Very brave and courageous I love her for saying alcoholism should not define her

[@sleepyclock8292]

It’s hard to think of the best person in your life become addicted, I’ve been though that as well

[@grezto5900]

It's happening to me right now,my father beats my mother and grandmother if we not give him money for drugs

[@natalieguiliano4430]

Emily smith.. I share your life. I'm 28. From the texts to the memories. Amazing. You're AMAZING.

[@sassikatt]

well spoken, excellent, thank-you for sharing your experience and your knowledge on this area

[@mikayladavic4533]

This is so beautiful and power. Thank you for this. ❤️

[@jennyperrio4887]

My mum was a chronic alcoholic for 43 yrs the most horrendous life for three chilfren Awful miserable She is now 80 and has a form of Dementia called Korsokoffs syndrome all through alcohol I am looking after her because there is only me Im not well and i have had no happiness of marriage or my own home I have an awesome daughter and grandchildren who i dont see This girl is awesome Jenny xx

[@kyannah9]

Thank you for this message. I needed this ❤️

[@MatthewMarkowicz]

The greatest recruiter for all psychology and social work departments: Addict parents

[@donnasweeney8019]

thank you for bravely sharing your story. inspiration for others to realize they are not alone.

[@hillarylies1097]

You are truly a champion:) thank you for deciding to take yourself out of the chain of addiction. You are a link to a new chain that says, we all can change and decide to be better than those who created us and imprinted in our hearts, that we can’t achieve our goals and dreams. Thank you

[@chriscastro1714]

Grew up with a drug dealer uncle and my mother was an addict, her broken back didn't help becoming crippled just using many drugs and hard ones to cope. I understood to an extent cause of pain. I knew we had a roof over are head and food. Seeing both sides of the life style confused me. Teenage years I tampered in psychedelics but never went further than molly only three times. Lessons in life on how or who you want to be when you grow up. CHOICE! Life is about choice, now I work hard for my money laboring and still take care of my mother 🙏 God bless everyone, and to those who are good role models! Never judge anyone.

[@averynmitchell]

I am so sorry for your loss and this experience you went through ❤️❤️

[@pariacanyon]

We are not programmed for addiction. We are programmed for connection. Connection is something we don't get enough of in modern society, so we turn to addiction.

[@mikebowman9844]

Thank you for your message. I hope you’re continuing on a good path.

[@carmaiello3786]

I love you Emily you are one of my favorite sisters!! This is so beautiful!

[@emilyclark9512]

helped me a lot... thank you for your words ❤️

[@cameronaerobics398]

So sad... breaking the cycle of addiction is hard.

[@charlottehanna3860]

I chose to have had no children to keep them safe.

[@johnhanna1840]

@@charlottehanna3860 Same here. I didn't want to take a chance. Are we related? Lol

[@ninakramer9172]

Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging people to stay away from drugs.

[@theresafloresca5343]

😑💔 sometimes u gotta believe in yourself cause no one can save u .

[@pickles_871]

Only Jesus can 🤍

[@kierankern7400]

Incredibly Powerful

[@patricemarie2960]

Thank you TED! .... BRAINS ARE POWER! .... God Bless, and Be With ...... Emily Smith!

[@sunnysunnydays]

Bless your path to healing & wholeness. May you find ease, grace, comfort, strength, miracles & especially self worth & self love.

[@ekashab350]

So proud of this girl! You are great!

[@anthonygiachinta3056]

God bless you And be with you ! A young person with inner strength and speaks well . I know you don’t get over these things you learn to live with them and you have the scars to prove it … 🙏 stay strong you are on the right path .

[@Skoldier84]

I could go on and on with saying what I need to say.. growing up with 2 younger brother, mother and step father both nurses, becoming addicts alcohol and drugs. My anxiety and depression, verbal abuse from the step father. My mother just passed away from a fentanyl overdose in January this year. And I miss her dearly. If you feel down. Get help please.

[@zoey5811]

My dad blames me and tells me it doesn't affect me. But it does affect me bc hes slowly killing himself

[@avag4462]

I’m sorry, same thing with my mom, but she doesn’t know that I’m aware of her addiction. We will be ok.

[@zoey5811]

@@avag4462 thank you. i rly needed this rn. we can fight through this pain together

[@Kerrviii]

I’m an alcoholic and pill addict and this broke my heart for my son. I’m really trying to correct things and I’ll do anything to make life better for my 8 year old.

[@akeeramaben4982]

Hope you get better

[@amazingdaisy7874]

This is awful Things should never be like this

[@katherineburns8987]

Don’t judge people

[@boonch9103]

I know

[@marleecynthia]

my dad has struggled with drugs for as long as i can remember. it hurts me so much knowing what he’s going thru, & the fact that he’s suicidal scares me. i don’t know what to do, i can’t even open cards around him, knowing that he’ll ask me for the money once everyone’s gone.

[@allimae9817]

I am in this same situation it is very scary

[@NutritionVictoria]

You're amazing! Keep "doing it!" ....and please keep speaking. You are inspiring others as well as healing yourself. Way to go Emily!!!

[@lifestylebylorilynn8279]

What a smart and brave young lady.

[@BretSimmons]

Very well done. Important contribution to the critical conversation of addiction

[@tracystafford7494]

Keep up the good work! Amazing young woman.

[@jhthorn7174]

Thumbs up for courage to present. Serenity to you.

[@joseph4861]

Core or Toxic Shame and the compass of Shame model of addiction are much more help models for understanding the root causes of addictive behaviour, and not epigenetics or genes. It is Shame that is passed down from generation to generation, not genes that causes addiction. But Emily is a very impressive woman with excellent communication skills, I wish all the best.

[@missywink1504]

What is core or toxic shame? Are there meetings?

[@patrickhanson712]

Yeah she doesnt sound like she is trying to be a scientist though, only briefly when sounds written by someone else lol... her situation does actually focus on some shame or other trigger to addiction, since it got that bad between them.

[@Rimpstunes]

Genes definitely play a role. Genetics can predispose a person to a disease, but I agree that they don't determine the outcome.

[@nicgon105]

Thank you

[@daughterofzion2146]

My parents have been married for almost 40 years but my dad was an addict for most of it. I'm a codependent empathy and just got heartbroken by a narcissist. I'm trying to connect the dots and heal

[@travvTube1]

Thankyou x

[@patriciasimons1873]

Good luck and stay strong

[@terrafarmer48]

For anyone reading this and if it resonates in any way I highly recommend the book The Body Keeps the Score. It gives so much more understanding on how people slide into addictions and there is a way out but addictions of all sorts root back to childhood trauma so even the mother who is the addict had traumas that cause it and when you understand that it brings a whole new awareness to the struggles of our society as a whole. Alcohol and prescription drug ads are EVERYWHERE. Nature heals. Love heals. You are worth it. 💚🙏

[@lindsay8003]

Thanks for this recommendation. Dealing with a lot that relates to this with my mother. Also my 12yr old daughter lost her dad this week from an overdose. I’m now dealing with the pain, anger, and so on. She resents me right now because I kept him away, and he messaged her on her social account 3months ago. She didn’t tell me until today, and she hadn’t opened the message until today. She told me she did not tell me because she didn’t want me to make her delete her account, and now feels guilt for not opening the message and responding. Nothing I say comforts her, and if I was brutally honest with her I know that would cause her more pain at this point.

[@irispep]

So proud of you. Sweet brave and bold young lady. Please read Jeremiah 29 V11.

[@jessicawyatt1412]

If this was well known and ADVERTISED!!! back then maybe I would of not had my first drink . Now two rehabs later and countless A.A meetings I realize my family will not change but I can . But you will always see alcohol commercials until the end of time but that is killing so many people and I hope for all that we all make it ❤

[@baseemabaseema1415]

Daughter of addicts and a long family line of addiction. So so so thankful I converted to Islam-we don’t drink, smoke or do anything lol. I know it can still happen, but much less likely now than my binge drinking days of my youth. However I do struggle with my weight and food. So guess that’s where my addiction genes took hold.

[@AnnaSingsChannel]

I’m living with an alcoholic and addict as a mother. My baby will be born soon, and the house always smells of weed and my mom is belligerent when she is drunk. Says how awful of a mother I will be and in the morning acts like nothing happened. I’m trying to find somewhere else but it is very hard where I live it’s expensive. I don’t know what to do anymore and I’m so hurt.

[@katiehenry7]

I can't imagine being in your position and I'm so so sorry. You know better than me that you must get out of that house and that you can't safely raise a little one in that environment. Try to get government assistance. I'm not sure what all is out there but I know there is help. Make the Father contribute. Try to stay with a different family member. Try to get a job working from home. If you are unable to work you should apply for disability and keep applying even if you get denied. I just googled housing assistance for single mothers and a ton of options came up. I hope and pray that things work out for the best. Lean on Christ and you will get though anything. ❤️

[@katiehenry7]

Congratulations on your sweet baby.

[@AnaIsabell]

As long as you are willing to love your baby with all your heart you will never be a bad mother. Actually I'm certain you are a very good mother. And I imagine you don't hear this often, so I'll say it as if you were my sister: You're beautiful, I love you, God Bless You and I Appreciate You"

[@fated2you]

Good luck, mama! Have faith in the woman you are. Your child is already abundantly blessed because she has you. ♡

[@hagarjefthas-zj8gf]

Great talk

[@ShopLunaLume]

I don’t know how to help my mom from relapsing. When I ask for the key or try to take it she gets really mad. Is this ok for me to do so she can make it to her next meeting? She tells me I’m trying to control her and I don’t know if that’s just her getting in my head or if thats really true. I need advice on how to get her to reach out to her friends from the meeting she goes to and let them know she has a craving.

[@morgenlynn3512]

Follow your hearts and believe us when we say we are sorry, we had no idea

[@joycewright5386]

My sister died from alcoholism and I still can’t forgive her for throwing her life away. She never wanted help.

[@_DEKHO]

I hope that you are doing great in life .

[@MrsJammer4]

Such a brave 19 year old… ❤

[@shabina_wani3778]

My father is addict and my mother always keeps her maternal family before whole world. We children's are left alone to take all decisions alone about school college etc.. with watching mental abuse at home. Blaming each other for the situation of house (parents)

[@kaylengatzke5498]

Parents ruined my child hood

[@habibmojami1240]

I'm sorry

[@shannonscagel625]

Courage under Fire

[@TheJoshheart90]

It was so bad for me that every time I seen the cops as a kid I would start crying because I knew they were going to take my mom and take me to a foster home.

[@paigetripp2584]

I will watch this in a minute after I read comments. I'm not even married to him. I don't have children with him. I worked hard and own everything I have as a single mom. So Idk why I stick around. Not my problem and I am over being heart broken and being brought down daily.

[@jeannineyvette3317]

The father of my kids is addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, Marijuana, and cocain. It's driving me crazy where I took prescription pills to just cope. I want to leave him so bad and in my heart I feel that it is the best for our kids. Who has done this and was it for the best?

[@AH-BDUL]

it just hurts

[@natashagranados1821]

❤️😭

[@patrickhanson712]

Yeah towards end when says her literal job is to help stop kids from getting addicted. So all the comments and sub comments that hate on her.......

[@james6401]

Hits to the bone

[@jessicaohlhauser5907]

How do I help my brothers pill addiction. Please help.

[@Bekind94]

My dad has been addicted to opiods since I was 4. I’m 46 now. I used to watch him crush the pills, boil his gear, then shoot it up. 💔

[@whoarewe7647]

Praise God Almighty!!

[@whiteangel3563]

To all the family and friends of addicts your prayers are not in vain. We had a family member who was heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol our family prayed and prayed when she passed away an angel appeared beside a photo of hers within the photo Jesus showed us that she got saved never give up on your prayers; praying to Jesus is so powerful

[@rootsextra]

🙏🏿

[@josephallen4467]

You should have as your family's addiction of not doing what they've done. You seam like a very smart young woman.Dont fall in that pattern as t they did. You don't have to live as they did. So please don't fall into the same pattern. And live your life as you want it to be. Just from what I heard from your testament .Is you don't want to be like them through your life. I'm Joe, and have been an addict and overcame it for 10 years now. So I wish you nothing but happiness in your future life .

[@markmacias2212]

Any audiophiles here? The noise gate on the mic is pretty bad right? Distracting even.

[@jayy7610]

Where is she now ?

[@morgenlynn3512]

I am ashamed and at the same time unable to excuse our behavior.

[@melanie4926]

God is MY only way out. Life is a struggle, embrace it. Ty.