I just responded to a post from a friend who lost two people to addiction this week. My response was heartfelt and taken from my own experience. This is what I said, “I have to remember this is a feelings disease and grief can take us out, too. Talk, share, cry. Pray. Repeat.”

TALK.

SHARE .

CRY.

PRAY.

REPEAT.

I’ve done a lot of crying, talking, sharing and praying over the years for many friends and loved ones who “went back out.” They didn’t always die. Sometimes it was worse. Only someone in recovery will undertstand how that is possible. And those of us left behind will now carry a gift, one that we can use to help others get through the pain and grief and devastation. We can be there.  We can listen and understand. We can share our pain and let it mingle with others’ pain because we are all on the the same ship, and we don’t want to go down. Or, sometimes we might… These are the times we  had better share and reach out to another shell-shocked fellow on this journey. Remember we can go down, too. Remember we are left behind to carry on this message. There, but for the Grace of God go I.” I am humbled.