YOUR ADDICTION AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST YOU
by Veronica “Peach” Hoiland
How many lives can be destroyed through addiction? How long does it take to destroy the ones who love and support the addict the most? The effects of addiction not only affect the addict, but children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, lifelong friendships, co-workers, neighbors, and the list goes on and trickles down very deep into an addict’s life.
I have learned through the years as a Correctional Officer just how far this chain of destruction truly travels within the family structure. The phone calls from a worried mother crying as she reaches out to find the resources to help her child become clean…the concerned father placing that dreadful call, asking if his child might possibly have been arrested since he hasn’t been able to make contact for days…grandparents sending letters to a grandchild filled with love and compassion, begging for their grandchild to spend this time of incarceration to search for the way to stop abusing drugs or alcohol…the drawings from an inmate’s small child of their home, with the sun shining in the background as mom and dad stand holding hands. ADDICTION destroys more than the addict.
I was very lucky to get to know the bright-eyed, blond-haired, beautiful young woman who this foundation was named after. Amara Rose shared her life story with me and many of my co-workers through the different times she spent being incarcerated. Amara had a way of pulling hard on our heart strings, causing us to stop to see that she could very well be our own daughter/child. I was able to see the good in Amara but also got to see the demons she struggled with. At times, the anger she expressed about herself overwhelmed her, and she felt like she was depleted as she continued to let so many people down. I can still remember Amara’s laughter or see her smile as she showed me pictures of her dog Rocko or talked about her younger brother and sisters, and she had deep sadness as she thought of the broken heart she caused her mom to experience. I cherish the many conversations with Amara’s mom Heidi and the way she never gave up on her daughter. It was “tough love” as we called it during a few of our conversations.
Addiction will continue to destroy many lives and families as we fight hard for this Foundation to help educate all that will listen. NOT judging others by their personal struggles is something I push through from day to day. Years in my profession have blurred my vision as I continue to pray for my eyes to see the best in each person I meet along this journey. We are all just one day away from the addiction that lies in front of us. I will take the time to always remember that more than the addict is affected by their choices.
Peach
A Director for the Amara Rose Foundation