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My name is Tara. Nobody in my family has been to a rehab or a meeting or anything that some of the other kids talk about. Everyone has a job and all that. But I notice that when there is a party at my house, the adults get crazy and even when they are still there, it’s like they go away. It’s like alcohol and pot make them different people and they don’t see me anymore. Sometimes it’s funny and sometimes it’s scary.
My name is Rohan. I didn’t know my sister was using drugs. I just knew that our parents kept yelling at her. I was confused about why they were always mad at her and always tried to keep her at home. I wish my parents would have told me what was going on. I didn’t know until the police showed up and accused my sister of selling drugs. She was gone for a few days. And still, no one is telling me anything.
My name is Mateo. Everything was fine in our family until my dad had surgery and got addicted to painkillers. Now, everything is a mess. My dad doesn’t live with us anymore. He goes to rehab centers sometimes and one time he was even in jail. I would be so happy if
everything would go back to the way it was before he got pills.
I am Hannah. My dad doesn’t live with me and my mom and my sister. He doesn’t drink anymore and he goes to a lot of meetings. My mom divorced him and now she is dating another guy and I don’t like him. Actually, I like him ok but I like my dad better. I don’t understand why, if my dad isn’t drinking anymore, he can’t come home. I think my mom is being mean about it. She doesn’t forgive my dad. I do though.
My name is Nevaeh but everyone calls me “Nevvy.” I live with a lot of people in my house. I have an older sister, who is not really my sister because my mom’s living with her dad. She is a drug addict and she ruins every single thing. The fighting and trying to keep her from doing drugs is wearing me down. I told my mom to move but we don’t. I wish my mom had never met her dad. I have a real sister and she and I don’t do bad stuff like this. I don’t know why
we have to live with a drug addict.
I’m Faith. I’m the only one in my school or neighborhood that has a relative that does heroin. I’m not going to tell you who it is. I’m still trying to keep it a secret. I think some of my friend’s mothers know and they are really extra nice to me. That’s how I know that they know about the junkie in my family. I can’t believe that someone I love actually puts a needle in her arm. I just can’t believe it. I lay away at night wondering how she could do that. And what will make her stop? I just don’t know.
My name is Lucas. I hate drugs. I just hate drugs. I don’t want to tell you why I hate drugs. I just do. It ruined everything. My dad went away and I thought it was because he didn’t like me. And then I found out he died from drugs. I’m mad all the time. I want to hit something. I hate drugs. I just do. And I don’t want to talk about it.
My parents like it when I play sports. I like basketball a lot and because I’m tall and kind of coordinated, I’ve always been good at it. When I’m playing or practicing, nothing bothers me. When I’m not playing or with my friends, I hate how much my parents drink and fight. I used to tell them, “If you guys wouldn’t drink you might be nicer to each other.” When they are not drinking, they are decent and when they stop at a few beers they can be kind of funny. But then something turns. I can see it. They don’t. So I stopped talking about it. They don’t listen. - Oliver
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
You are not alone. There are kids everywhere that are doing their best to love someone with substance use disorder. It can be alcohol, pot, heroin, crack, cocaine, opioid or other prescription medications. The disease of addiction can affect any family.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU DIDN’T CAUSE IT. YOU CAN’T CONTROL IT. YOU CAN’T CURE IT.
But you can take CARE of yourself by COMMUNICATING your feelings, making good CHOICES and CELEBRATING yourself. REACH OUT TO A TRUSTED ADULT. They can help you.
The adults might not be in your family. Look for us. We are here for you.
