We have heard sad stories of celebrities and ordinary people dying young due to a drug overdose. We are also aware of the government’s effort to lessen, if not eradicate, drug addiction not only because of the crimes associated with it but also because it destroys entire communities. With all these, we can conclude that drug addiction is indeed a serious problem that we, as parents, brothers, sisters, children, or friends of individuals who are hooked on illicit substances, must do something about.

As friends or family members, the first thing we need to know to help our addicted loved one is to fully understand the effects of illicit substances on a person’s mind, body, and life. They might think that alcohol and drugs are fun. That’s why they can’t stop themselves from abusing it.

We must make them realize that although these substances give them instant high, the long-term damage is quite serious.

Below are a few sad stories of real people hooked on addictive substances and never recovered. Let’s help our loved ones before it’s too late.

Menachem’s Story as Told by His Mom

Menachem, not his real name, would have been 22 years old next month if he had only survived a heroin overdose. It’s been 3 years since we found him lifeless inside his father’s van, 3 blocks away from our house. He was in college then; before that, we admitted him to drug rehab. He used to be a diligent and motivated student. He was at top of his class, and we never had any problem with him. However, when he was in his senior year, he started to smoke pot.

I was so shocked to learn about it from our 10-year-old neighbor. He said he saw Menachem smoke pot with some dangerous-looking older guys. We confronted him, but he denied it. I got so angry at him, and we forced him to rehab. He was responsive and cooperative during rehab when he graduated from it, and we thought he would fully recover and stay away from drugs.

We expected too much, though. After his death, we found out that after rehab, he started experimenting with Xanax and other prescription drugs. After that, he started using heroin until his death.

As a mother, I wish I could have done more for my son. Right now, the only thing I can do is live with the pain of losing him to drugs. I wish mothers would not have to deal with what I went through. Drugs bring nothing but sad stories to families.

Johnny’s Story

My name is Johnny, and I’m an addict. I have been using different prescription drugs for years. I don’t want to stop. I’m broke. I’m homeless. My family gave up on me because I stole from them. I need money to support my vice, that’s why. They’re afraid of me because they think that one day, I’m going to murder them. My father and brothers forced me out of the house. My mother was totally against it, but my siblings and my father were really firm.

Right now, I’m not sure what’s in store for me. All I care about is how I get drugs.

Joven’s Story

I started with ecstasy when I was 18 years old. My family is well-off, and I get everything I want. I have a fancy car, a fat wallet, and an amazing girlfriend. Things went greater when I landed my dream job. After 2 years of working hard, I was able to buy my dream house. I was ready to settle down when drugs caught my attention. I started going out more often, and I partied hard. That’s when I tried a lot of drugs.

It was so exciting that I got hooked. I got so preoccupied with my newfound hobby that I didn’t realize how everything thing else in my life slipped away. I lost my girlfriend. I lost my family. I lost my job. The bank then sequestered my house. I had nothing left. I would have recovered from all these in an ideal world and redeemed myself. That was not the case, though. Until now, I’m still hooked on drugs, and I don’t know if I have any reason left to stop.

No one cared, so I also stopped caring. My story is just one of the many sad stories of people dealing with drugs.

Galih’s Story as Shared by His Wife

On December 25, 1998, I woke up and found my husband dead on our couch. The night before, we had a huge fight because he suddenly stopped working and just hung out with his new buddies. We were just 23 then.

We got married early because I got pregnant. He vowed to provide for our daughter and me. Though he didn’t have a job then, he would get up early every day to look for one. He was so determined to prove to my parents that he could take care of us. Then again, fate was cruel to Galih. After 5 months of job searching, not one company called him for an interview. He had given up. He got so frustrated that he suddenly dropped everything and wandered around the neighborhood to look for something fun to do. That’s when he met his new hang-out buddies.

I don’t mean to discriminate, but from their physical appearance, you could tell that they were into drugs. I tried stopping my husband, but we fought every time I brought that issue up. It was on Christmas morning that I woke up seeing him cold and lifeless due to accidental heroin and valium overdose.

It’s almost 20 years since Galih passed. Our daughter is turning 21 tomorrow, and for 21 years, she also didn’t have a father.

Victoria’s Story

I’m Victoria, and I’m 24. I was fired from a company despite my hard work. Now, I don’t have any reason to continue living my life diligently. Drugs are my new friends. They make me happy, and they also share my misery. I believe we are destined to be together forever. My drug friends and I are the protagonists of our own sad stories.

Don’t let your family member or your friends end up as characters in these sad stories. Help them cope with their addiction problem. Talk to a drug addiction Specialist at Sunshine Behavioral Health today.