By: Deirdre Littlefield
I want you to know that I see you. I can see deep into your soul, and I know that you are not your addiction.
You are the small child your mother remembers, the soccer player your teammates recall, and the protector your siblings miss desperately. The decisions you make are not your own. The burden you carry is unknown to most. It’s an anchor pulling you deeper into your misery with each second of the day. You lie, steal, and cheat to score. You will hurt anybody that tries to threaten your next fix. You are obsessed, it’s all you can think about. There is no fun in your next drink or drug; it’s mere survival. I get it.
I know that you want more out of life. I know that you once had dreams and talents that are not being used. I know that you hate yourself for putting yourself in this position. I also know that if you could reverse time you would never have taken that first sip or hit. You disgust yourself and can’t see a way out.
I see you and I can see the way out for you. You are sick and need someone else to take the wheel. The goodness is still inside of you, I promise. It’s been locked away but there is a key available to open your heart, hope, and joy.
I only need one thing from you. You just have to get on your knees and pray to somebody or something bigger than yourself. You don’t have to believe, you just have to ask for help. You cannot get out of this hell alone.
Please, let me take your hand. 
Community Voices for Health 