R.I.P.

This past weekend a 26 year-old client living in our sober housing died of a suspected heroin overdose.

It’s always heavy when one succumbs to our disease, especially while living in a recovery program - surrounded with information about addiction. In addition he worked in a detoxification unit where he could witness the results of using and drinking as part of his job.

Sometimes clients suggest we’re melodramatic when we talk of addiction and alcoholism as being about life and death. Yet these past few months we’ve had several friends - and former clients - overdose on substances and not survive.

The death of this young man is a loss to the community. His family spent years nurturing and caring for him. Teachers spent time educating him. Many hoped he would someday contribute to the world.

It’s clear that fear of death isn’t a motivating factor; many of us have faced it over and over. But the promise of happiness - of living up to our potential - can motivate us. Once we stop missing our best friend, the alcohol and drugs that made life so meaningful for a minute, we can find serenity and happiness.

At times like this we can reflect upon the beauty of life and realize we have nothing to escape.